Alan and Ellie stood quietly for several moments after the helicopter disappeared over the treetops and the sounds of the rotors faded away. The trees that surrounded the small meadow were hushed and still in prelude to the approaching storm. There was no indication that the area was inhabited by any living thing, and as Ellie gazed at the empty sky where the helicopter had disappeared, she felt strangely spooked in the total silence. It was as if the vehicle had absorbed all the sound in the jungle and carried it away.
Nervously, she pulled her eyes from the sky and allowed them to travel along the edge of the tree line, studying the limp fronds and leaves and the deep shadows that lay beneath them. It was so quiet! What kinds of creatures were lurking in the concealing foliage of the jungle? Were they being watched at this very moment? Was that the reason for the total silence?
Her pulse and respiration increased with sudden apprehension and expectation, but as she watched, nothing presented itself.
Shifting her gaze again, she observed the gently rolling, densely foliated mountain peaks that swelled all around them. They were completely alone, far from the safety of the compound, and the jungle seemed strangely alive and forbidding, like a giant predator, poised to strike.
Alan was watching her with understanding eyes, recognizing the mounting panic in her expression and rapid breath. Reaching out, he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and felt her flinch at his unexpected touch. The eyes that darted to his face were unusually wide.
�I know what you�re feeling, Ellie,� he said, quietly. �I�ve been through it too when I first came here. When I watched Miguel�s plane fly into the horizon, I can�t even describe how alone and vulnerable I felt. I promise it�ll pass.� He gave her an encouraging smile, and moved his hand to caress her cheek. �And you�re not alone. You still have me.�
She managed a slight smile in response, grateful for his companionship. After enjoying the conversation and the laughter of others for several days now, being totally alone with Alan again seemed strange, and it made her realize just how much she had craved the company of others. �I guess I�m just being foolish,� she said, surprised that her voice did not sound normal. She placed her hand over his. �Having you with me is the only thing that keeps me sane out here. How did you deal with being completely alone like that?�
�By getting busy.� He gave her hand an affectionate squeeze, then released it, a signal that there were things to be done. �We have a lot to do, and the first thing we need to do is find a suitable location to make camp before the rain hits.�
Ellie pulled the elastic band from her hair and tucked it into her front pocket as she gathered her hair again to collect the strands that had come loose. �How long do you think we have?� she asked as she looped the elastic band around her pony tail again.
He glanced at the sky, which was still clear and blue, but he could feel the air pressing down on them, heavy with moisture. �No idea, but it can�t be much longer. I don�t think we have time to build and weatherproof a lean-to before it hits, so we need to find some kind of natural shelter.� He opened up the map and verified their position again, memorizing the surrounding terrain and the direction they needed to be heading. They would not go in a straight line toward the provisions they had stored, but would take detours, following the contours of the rugged terrain and seeking animal trails that would provide valuable information about the wildlife in the area. �It would be ideal if we could find some sort of cave or overhanging rock that we could get under.� He pointed to an area on the map that indicated a craggy area of the topography. �I think our best chances might be in this area here.�
Ellie leaned closer to look at the area beneath his forefinger. �Can we make it that far before the rain hits?�
He shrugged. �We�ll see.�
After returning the map to the backpack, Alan lifted it and slipped his arms through the shoulder pads, settling it in the middle of his back so that it lay with relative comfort. The satchel containing the food and water was draped over one shoulder so that it hung on the opposite hip. Last, he reached for the box containing the security sensor that would alert them to the approach of wild animals. Following his lead, Ellie put on her backpack and picked up the small ice chest.
�All set?� he asked, cheerfully.
She nodded in response.
He started walking toward the edge of the meadow, and she fell in step beside him. Within moments, they had moved out of the sunlit meadow and into the perpetual shade of the jungle. Although the long, stretching limbs of the canopy almost completely blocked out the sky, with only small patches of blue showing through, the trees themselves were spaced well apart, allowing plenty of room for them to walk side by side. Occasionally they had to skirt a clump of ferns, a fallen branch, or a young tree growing in the shade of its parent as it reached for the life-giving sun.
�So, what do you think we�ll find out here?� she asked.
�Well, we�ll find out if the dinosaurs have come into the higher elevations, and if they haven�t, then maybe we�ll find out if any of the native species has survived,� he replied.
�How likely is that?�
�Impossible to say.� He cast a pleasant smile toward her. �Guess we�ll find out.�
She fell silent after that, trudging along beside him. Alan appeared to be in his element here. He was relaxed, and it was clear that he was enjoying the hike. His demeanor was calming to her. The sudden panic she had felt earlier was dissipating, and her interest in the project was returning. Recalling her first day on the island and her observations of the primeval atmosphere of the area between the landing strip and the compound, she quickly came to the realization that these mountains were even more primitive. Here, there were no tire ruts to scar the ground, no debris from fallen airplanes, no landing strips or parking lots; no sign that another human being had ever traversed the slopes. It was like stepping back to another time.
Alan was in good spirits, pleased to be investigating the mountains that had eluded him for so long. He was interested in everything, stopping to peruse the soft dirt on the jungle floor in search of footprints and droppings, and Ellie found herself examining the vegetation with equal attention, appreciating nature in its unspoiled habitat. Tall ceiba trees, their large buttress roots anchored firmly in the jungle soil, stretched their towering 150 foot canopies high above the lower growing trees and plants. Beneath the canopy, shade loving ferns and lichens found their niche in the mossy earth. Pink, lavender, and violet terrestrial orchids, nestled in the compost-rich soil, opened their colorful petals to the pollinating insects, while beautiful pink epiphytes clung to other plants without benefit of soil, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the humidity and run-off from their hosts.
�That�s no dinosaur print,� Alan said suddenly. Kneeling down, he examined a small foot print in the soft soil.
Ellie leaned over his shoulder to look. �Looks like a raccoon track. One of those little bandits kept getting into our garbage cans last summer, and raided a neighbor�s koi pond. A real nuisance.�
�Maybe, but on this island, I think it�s more likely a kinkajou. They spend most of their time in the treetops.� Stepping back, he turned his eyes to the tall trees, seeking any sign of a furry creature. �They�re nocturnal,� he added, �so I don�t think we�ll be able to spot one.�
When their perusal of the tree tops failed to reveal any sign of the kinkajou, Ellie�s eyes fell again on the variety of orchids of varying sizes and colors, and she slipped off the backpack. She unzipped it and removed one of the cameras from it, then snapped several pictures of the flowers. �They�re beautiful!� she exclaimed. �Look how big they are!�
Alan glanced at her then at the orchid, rather bemused by her interest in the flowers. �You�ve seen orchids before.�
�Hybrids in a florist shop,� she countered.
�You saw some on the way to and from the landing strip, also,� he reminded her.
�They weren�t this big or this colorful. I�ve never seen them like this before.� She adjusted the aperture to allow more light into the camera, then set up her next shot. �Gorgeous!�
Alan returned his attention to the treetops again, still searching for signs of the animal that had left the tracks, and his sharp eye caught a barely perceptible movement in the treetops. Stepping sideways for a better view through the limbs and foliage, he found not the expected kinkajou, but a mass of tangled fur, tinged with green algae which enabled the creature to blend so completely with its environment that he almost didn�t see it.
Excitedly, he grasped Ellie�s arm, causing her to lose the shot she was setting up. The shutter clicked as her finger pressed the button, and she knew she probably had just taken a good picture of a bare tree trunk. �Alan, you made me waste the shot!�
�Look,� he said, pointing upward with his forefinger. �Right up there in the trees,� he added when she squinted upward, unable to find what he was seeing.
Ellie moved in front of him, following the direction of his finger, and finally saw the three toed sloth clambering slowly along the tree limbs, browsing on the leaves. �A sloth!�
�Yes. I wasn�t too surprised at the possibility of squirrels or kinkajous surviving, but this is proof that some of the larger mammals have survived as well! They�ve moved into the higher elevations. This is exactly the kind of information I wanted to know.�
She raised the camera, adjusted the zoom lens, and snapped a picture of the sloth. It�s small, strangely shaped head turned slowly toward them, observing the two humans with mild interest. Apparently deciding that they intended no harm, it returned to its slow progression through the tree tops, nibbling on the tender leaves and shoots.
�This is the first time I�ve ever seen one of these creatures,� Alan told her. �The fact that it lives in the treetops may have something to do with how it�s managed to survive on this island.�
�Look how it blends in with the foliage,� Ellie pointed out. �Even a raptor would have trouble spotting that creature!� She snapped another picture of it, using the zoom lens to obtain a close-up of its strange looking face. �So does that mean there aren�t any dinosaurs up this high?�
�I haven�t seen any trace of them yet,� he replied. �There�s bound to be some, although I�m starting to wonder if they dislike the higher elevations.�
�Lighter atmosphere?�
�Possibly. These mountains are not very high, but there could be slight differences in atmospheric conditions that do not affect us. The rugged terrain could also have something to do with it. Animals that big will have some trouble navigating rocky slopes, for instance, especially the bi-peds. There may be smaller species up here, but I expect we�ll see some a little farther down.�
They were interrupted by the ominous rumbling of distant thunder, reminding them of the rain storm that was approaching, and both looked up, even though they could see only small patches of blue through the dense canopy. But the atmosphere around them seemed to be growing darker, indicating that the clouds were beginning to encroach upon the sun.
�Looks like we�re going to get wet soon,� she commented.
�We�d better start looking for shelter,� Alan said, quietly.
Resolutely, Ellie picked up her backpack again, and they resumed their hike through the jungle, seeking a place of refuge from the weather.
�Will rain damage the equipment?� she asked after a short time.
�Well, because of the wet climate here, I thought it might be prudent to bring an empty plastic bag with us that we can put the cameras and the pistol in if necessary.�
�Good thinking.�
He hefted the small case carrying the sensor device. �I don�t know how watertight this case is, but we can make room for it in the bag. I�m hoping we�ll be able to find someplace where we can stay dry, though.�
As they continued their journey, the shade beneath the canopy continued to grow steadily deeper as the storm advanced. At first, the progression had been almost imperceptible, a slow transition as the sun was gradually eclipsed by the storm clouds, but as they continued to drift across the sky, driven by strong upper level winds, a deepening shadow fell upon the jungle, blotting out the light almost completely until they were finally enshrouded in darkness almost as black as night, broken by occasional flashes of lightning.
Neither of them spoke, for to say that they needed to find shelter quickly was merely restating the obvious. In the lead, Alan pushed determinedly through the foliage, constantly aware of Ellie, always beside him in the open areas or close on his heels whenever the spaces closed due to denser foliage. They had seen no more animals in the deepening gloom; they had probably taken shelter, a glaring reminder that they must do the same. But no suitable places presented themselves. He considered trying to form some sort of shelter nestled between the buttress roots of one of the towering ceiba trees using large palm leaves for a roof, but if high winds blew in with the rain, the endeavor would prove a waste of valuable time. So they pressed onward.
The rain had not yet begun as they emerged into a small open meadow, but with a clear view of the sky now, both knew it was only moments away. High above them, angry black clouds rolled and tumbled across the sky, highlighted by zigzagging streaks of lightning.
�This is no good,� Alan said, more to himself than to Ellie. �We can�t stay out in the open like this.� He pointed to a high rocky cliff. �Maybe we can find some cover over there.�
They broke into a run across the open meadow, hurrying through the waist-high grass toward the cliff. In the back of their minds, there was the knowledge that predators, such as raptors, could be hiding in the tall grass, but if they existed at this altitude, it was more likely that they had sought shelter in the jungle.
When they reached the base of the cliff, Alan turned to look behind them; already, he could see a hazy sheet of rain falling on the mountain range, and moving toward them at a rapid pace. Turning away from it, they hurried along the foot of the bluff. �Look for an overhang or a recess or something that can give us some cover,� he instructed.
The ground was extremely rocky and littered with debris from previous storms. Limbs and small branches littered the ground, providing many tripping hazards and slowed their progress. Most likely, they had been lost from the trees during previous storms and had collected against the bluff.
They had not gone far when he felt Ellie grab the back of his shirt to gain his attention. �Hey Alan, look at that!�
He stopped and turned back to face her, then followed her pointing hand upward. Above their heads yawned a wide niche in the rocky face, about ten feet up the slope.
�Think its deep enough?�
�Maybe, if we can get up to it,� he agreed.
Together, they hurried toward it, searching the rocky area below for a safe way up. The ground was very rough, for there were boulders and outcroppings of rock everywhere, and here and there, a lone tree stood at various positions near the bluff, but none were near enough to provide access to the niche.
They stopped directly beneath the niche, and looked up at the rocky slope beneath it.
�That shouldn�t be too difficult,� Alan decided. Reaching out, he placed his hand on one of the rocks that jutted outward from the face of the bluff. It was impossible to determine how deeply the rocks were set in the face of the cliff, but with a little luck and a lot of caution they could utilize them all the way up. �We can use these rocks as footholds. See how they stick out from the ground?�
Ellie tilted her head back, her eyes moving slowly upward with the same scrutiny as Alan. �There are a few saplings that have taken root among the rocks. They will make good handholds.�
�I was thinking the same thing.�
�This is great! We�ll be safe enough that we shouldn�t even need to use the sensors,� Ellie pointed out. �That will extend the life of the batteries for times when we really do need them.�
He glanced over his shoulder. The downpour was moving down the slopes and coming toward them. Already, he could smell the fresh scent of rain. �It�ll be dark in there,� he noted. Lowering his eyes, he scanned the ground, noticing again the dried debris against the bluff. �We�ll need something to make a fire. Let�s grab some of this wood, and carry it up with us.�
There was not a moment to lose now, and neither was sure they would make it inside before it rained, but the thought of a cozy fire was appealing. Working together, they grabbed as much of the dry wood as they could carry, and met back at the area just below the niche. Alan opened his pack and removed a roll of heavy-duty twine, tossed in at the last moment, and quickly wrapped a length of it around it to form a bundle.
�I don�t think we can climb with the ice chest or the sensor case,� he said. �We�ll tie them into the bundle and pull them up when we reach the top.�
�What if it breaks?� Ellie asked.
He paused to look at her, then replied, �Pray that it doesn�t. If that sensor gets damaged . . . � There was no need to complete the sentence. They both knew what would happen if the valuable tool was lost.
He quickly tied the ice chest and the sensor case to the bundle of firewood and tied the other end of the twine to his belt. With their provisions secured, he began to climb.
It was surprisingly easy to climb, for the face of the cliff tilted at a slight angle, allowing him to lean slightly forward as he climbed, using the protrusions as both handholds and footholds. This gradual curve became more pronounced the nearer he got to the rim, and holding onto the thin trunk of a sapling for support, he was able to walk the last few steps on the sloping ground to the mouth of the niche. Turning, he was not surprised to find Ellie right behind him, and farther out in the meadow, he heard the drumming of rain marching toward them, driven by the rising wind. He leaned over to grasp her hand, assisting her over the edge just as the first fat drops of rain struck him in the face.
After untying the twine from his belt, he carefully pulled the bundle upward. Hand over hand, he pulled on the length of twine, feeling it moving back and forth, toward and away from the face of the bluff as the wind gusted strongly, and once the bundle bumped against the rocks, bringing a groan of protest from Alan as he waited for the twine to break and send their possessions clattering back to the ground, but the dreaded consequence did not occur. The twine held, and Ellie reached down to help pull it over the edge when it reached the top.
The wide opening was high enough that they were able to enter it without ducking their heads, and with their possessions clutched in their hands, they dodged into it quickly, the rain pelting the ground behind them. An instant later, the sky opened up and released a torrential downpour.
Ellie saw Alan grinning in the dim light. �Not a moment too soon!�
�Wow, look at that!� Ellie exclaimed.
The rain was coming down in sheets, obscuring their vision as they looked toward the jungle. The trees waved violently in the wind, and leaves and twigs were ripped from the branches. A strong gust blew a splattering of rain drops into the mouth of the crevice, forcing them to take a step backward.
Alan placed the bundle on the floor and untied the twine, then carefully rolled it up again and tucked it into his backpack again. �I almost didn�t bring this along, but thought we might need it for some reason.�
He eased the backpack from his shoulders and placed it on the floor beside the other items, positioning all of them far enough back to ensure that they remained safe and dry.
�I sure hope that sloth is holding on for dear life,� Ellie joked as she lowered her pack to the floor as well. Then she glanced into the darkness behind her. On a bright day, the light would have probably been able to reach farther into the crevice, but in the darkness of the storm, they could see nothing at all behind them. It was impossible to determine if they were sharing the cave with any other creatures. �I wonder how deep this goes.�
�Let�s find out.�
Squatting down, Alan unzipped his backpack and reached inside again, feeling around for the flashlight that he could not see. When his fingers made contact with the smooth, hard object, he withdrew it from his backpack and flipped it on, shining the light from side to side and especially at the floor, making certain that the footing was safe.
Following his lead, Ellie removed the other flashlight from her pack, her thumb pressing the switch forward. The twin beams of their powerful flashlights succeeded in pushing back the darkness, the radiance pushing back the intense blackness of the crevice. The air was cooler inside the natural rocky shelter, a welcomed respite from the heat and humidity of the jungle, and they moved toward the rear of it, inspecting it carefully for inhabitants.
It was not quite deep enough to be considered a cave, yet deep enough to provide them with a safe and comfortable refuge from the weather. The floor and ceiling sloped sharply toward each other, meeting in the rear. The flashlights revealed that it was unoccupied.
�I half expected to find some bats in here,� Alan confessed. �I didn�t relish the idea of them flying in and out while we were trying to sleep.�
�I�m glad there aren�t any,� she agreed with a shudder, her flashlight beam still searching the many crevices in the walls and ceiling for anything they might have missed. �I know they�re harmless, but still . . . �
Satisfied that they were alone in the niche, Alan turned back to Ellie. �Good eye,� he said, approvingly. �I was looking at ground level, never expecting to find anything suitable higher up than that, so I would have missed it completely.�
�I just happened to glance up at the right moment,� she told him.
�Well, let�s see about getting a fire built, so we won�t run down the flashlight batteries.� Lowering the flashlight beam to the floor of the crevice, he selected a level spot on the ground, far enough back to avoid blowing rain. �I think right about here should do it.�
The ground was too hard to dig a fire pit, so working together, they cleared the debris from the selected area, forming a small smooth circle on the rocky ground, then placed a circle of stones to contain the fire they intended to build. Alan withdrew his small hatchet from his pack and cut the dead branches into manageable pieces while Ellie arranged some of it inside the stone circle. The extra was set aside to feed the fire as needed. The dead dry leaves that still clung to the branches were scraped off to use as kindling.
When it was ready, he struck a match and ignited the dry wood and leaves, blowing gently on the tiny flame until it took hold, illuminating the dark dwelling with a soft golden glow. Brushing his hands against his trousers to rub off some of the dirt, he sat down against the stone wall behind him.
�Hungry?� Ellie asked when she felt her empty stomach rumble.
�Starved,� came the immediate reply. �I didn�t feel right eating one of those sandwiches in front of everyone else.� He reached for the small ice chest that Hammond had provided. �Rather than cooking anything, we can just eat those. Did you put them in the ice chest?�
She looked up from the satchel she had just picked up. �I thought you did.�
Their eyes met with the realization that they had left the sandwiches in the large cooler that was by now most of the way back to Costa Rica.
�Oh, well,� Alan said, feeling inwardly glad that the remaining sandwiches were gone. �They were getting soggy anyway.� He lifted the ice chest, curiously. �Still, it feels like there�s something in here. You don�t suppose Hammond included more surprises for us, do you?�
�I wouldn�t put it past him. He�s a sweet old man, and he seems to have taken a liking to the two of us.�
Alan opened the small cooler and looked inside, his brow puckered in a curious frown. It was filled with small foil pouches, and he withdrew one to look at the label. �Spicy cheese omelet,� he read. �Two servings.�
Ellie was instantly intrigued. �Let me see that,� she said, reaching for it. He passed it to her, and she examined the pouch. �This is fantastic! Just pour it into the skillet. All the ingredients are already there. What else is in there?�
He passed her the cooler, and she began pulling out other small packets, reading each one with interest.
�Instant mashed potato flakes; just add water. Tuna fish fillets. Even chicken breast, all packaged in these space saving pouches. Look at this.� She turned it around so he could see the label. �Pasta with creamy parmesan sauce! All you do is add water and heat. How thoughtful!�
�Well, I�m impressed,� Alan said.
�There�s more,� Ellie said, withdrawing a box. �A dozen fruit and nut bars. We can save the omelets for breakfast. Let�s see, we have four of those. We also brought some of the cereal, so we can alternate. Let�s have the pasta tonight,� she suggested. �We haven�t had pasta since we�ve been here.�
�Sounds good,� he agreed.
Eagerly, she withdrew the lightweight camping skillet from the satchel and positioned it over the fire. Then, following the directions on the packet, she emptied it into the skillet and added the correct amount of water from one of the bottles. Within minutes, a pleasing aroma wafted through the musty smell of the cave, awakening Alan�s stomach.
�How long does it have to cook?� he asked, leaning over the skillet as she stirred it.
�Not long. Just long enough to get it hot.� After a moment, she lifted a sample to her lips and tasted it. �Mmm, perfect. Get the plates.�
He found the two lightweight plates they had brought with them, and she divided the servings. Then they settled back to eat, pleased with the additional items to their menu.
They ate in silence for several minutes until Alan finally asked, �Do you realize our tagging mission is the first expedition on these islands without a single fatality?�
�Yeah, you�re right. We had some problems, but everyone pulled together and got the job done without anyone getting killed.�
�That Mitch seemed determined to make himself into a statistic, though,� he added with a distasteful expression. �Did you see the way he kept wandering off while we were walking toward the pickup point? He could have been picked off as an easy meal by any predator we happened across. He�s just lucky we didn�t cross paths with anything more dangerous than those compies.�
Ellie smiled, understanding that Alan�s criticism had less to do with Mitch�s wandering than it did with his interest in her. Inwardly, she was pleased by his obvious jealousy, but she elected to keep that to herself. �Yeah, he didn�t seem to grasp how dangerous this place is,� she replied.
Alan jabbed his fork at the pasta a bit more forceful than necessary. �People like that are what cause these catastrophes on this island.�
�Yeah, they�re just really stupid,� Ellie agreed, still smiling to herself.
Apparently satisfied that she was suitably disgusted with the sharpshooter�s careless behavior, he put it out of his mind. �This is good,� he said, indicating the pasta.
�I�d heard they were making things like this as a convenience to campers and hikers, but it never occurred to me to request any from Miguel. I�m not even sure where you buy them.�
Outside, the wind was beginning to die down, and the atmosphere became lighter as the clouds unloaded their moisture on the ground below. The rain continued throughout the remainder of the day, and it quickly became apparent that they would be spending the night in the shelter that nature had provided for them.
After the plates and the skillet had been washed and set aside to dry, Alan retrieved his ever-present notebook from his backpack and began jotting down the events of the day. While he did that, Ellie pulled MacFarland�s journal from her backpack and thumbed through it.
Alan glanced up at one point to collect his thoughts, and noticed it on her lap. �You brought the journal?�
�Yeah. I�m not sure why, but I was uncomfortable leaving it behind. Plus, I knew you�d be writing in your notebook, and while you do that I thought I�d go through it and mark the most important pages. That way, when we hand the journal over to Hammond, we can go right to the pages he needs to deal with.�
�Good idea.�
He dropped his eyes to the current page of his notebook and continued to record the sighting of the sloth and the kinkajou tracks, while Ellie busied herself rereading the journal and marking the pages she believed most important with strips of paper. After a while, the light began to fade again as evening approached. Ellie�s eyes grew tired and she returned the journal to her backpack and stood up to stretch. Then she moved toward the mouth of the crevice.
It was still raining outside, but the gale had been reduced to a soothing gentle shower. The trees and shrubs stood motionless, as if waiting for the rain to stop.
�It sure rains a lot here,� she commented.
Alan did not look up, but she could hear his amused smile in his response. �Must be why they call it a �rain forest�,� he replied.
�Ya think?� she asked with a grin.
After a few more moments, he closed the notebook and returned it to his backpack. �It�s hard to see in here to read or write,� he said, rubbing his tired eyes.
�It�s getting dark outside,� she told him.
�Still raining,� he observed, joining her near the entrance to watch the rain coming down. �Doesn�t look like it wants to ease up any time soon.�
�I hope the helicopter made it back before it struck,� Ellie said, worriedly.
�Well, they were pretty far ahead of it. I�m sure they�re all dining at a nice restaurant in San Jose about now. Then they�ll go to sleep on a nice soft mattress instead of the hard rocky ground we�ll be on. You could have been there with them,� he reminded her as an afterthought.
Turning her head, she looked up into his face, illuminated by the flickering firelight behind them. �I�d rather be here with you, sleeping on the hard rocky ground and eating out of a foil pouch,� she told him.
She felt his arms slip around her waist, gently urging her to lean back against him, a request she was only too happy to grant. �I�m glad you stayed, too,� he said, his breath soft against her hair.
They stood like that for a long time, watching the rain falling, until the darkness made it impossible to see. Because of the rain and the clouds, there was no moon, and after a while they decided to retire for the night and get an early start in the morning.
Go to Chapter 36