“I’m going to step out. Wait for me, I’ll come help you.”
For once, her hackles didn’t rise at the comment. She needed his help.
Jackson lifted his boot, hissing. Blood dotted the outside of his blue jeans in a circular pattern. He immediately moved to her side and placed his hands on top of hers, adding his own strength to hers. The levers flattened out with a click, and he lifted his hands, then motioned for her to do the same.
She backed away, avoiding touching the trap anywhere else. He rose and limped to where several large branches were on the ground. He selected a thick one, roughly as big around as his leg.
“Get back.”
She scooted away. He placed the branch on the pan, and it snapped shut. The teeth burrowed deep into the wood. She shuddered, imagining that around his leg or her arm.
“There.” He stood back and gazed at the trap with a crisp nod before giving her a thumbs-up. “That should keep any animals from getting trapped.”
“I wonder who set it.”
“It’s rusty. I imagine someone set it years ago, then forgot to collect it.”
She started to speak, then froze when he lifted a warning finger to his lips. He tilted his head as if listening. Pursing her lips, she copied his stance. A moment later, she heard it. Voices. Gruff and muted, they sent chills dancing up her spine.
It was possible these were hikers, enjoying the beautiful day, but it wasn’t even eight in the morning.
The voices grew closer. She whipped her head around and gave Jackson a fierce stare. They needed to get out of here.
Had the others heard the trap go off? She pointed to the trap, then at her ears.
He shook his head, then used both hands to mimic two mouths talking.
Right. If they’d heard the sound, they probably would have stopped talking so their prey wouldn’t be aware of their presence. Instead, the voices continued to rise.
Two men were arguing.
“I can’t make out what they’re saying,” Mia breathed. She wasn’t worried about them hearing her. If they hadn’t heard the trap over their shouts, her soft whisper wouldn’t be noticed.
“I can’t either.” Jackson led the way in the opposite direction.
“The vehicles are that way.” She jerked her thumb to the side.
“I know. If we take a straight trajectory, chances are pretty good we’ll meet up with those guys. I’m trying to avoid that.”
She waved a hand, telling him silently to proceed.
After a few feet, she drifted to walk behind him. The path was too narrow for them to walk side by side. As they moved deeper into the trees, the shadows and dank aroma of wet dirt enfolded them. A cobweb brushed her face. She wiped it away on her arm, noticing the goosebumps on her skin.
The forest seemed to have closed in on them.
Behind them, the voices had stalled. That didn’t settle her nerves. It might mean she and Jackson had been discovered and killers were hunting them down. She sped up to close the gap that had formed between her and Jackson.
He didn’t even slow. Just continued to plow through the dense foliage.
A scream ripped through the silence.
They halted and whirled toward the sound. Of course, there was nothing to be seen. Then a gunshot singed the air. A heavy thump, followed by wild thrashing.
Someone had fled. Fortunately, the individual was fleeing away from them.
“What or who was shot?”
“I don’t know, but I think I should check it out.” Jackson made a move, as if he was going back. “What if it’s Dylan? Or Reggie?”
