He closes the notebook and looks over toward the bench by the window.
Charlotte sits there with Jameson’s kit spread out beside her. He’s perched next to her, watching the glucometer while she presses the lancet to his finger.
He doesn’t react.
The device beeps.
Ryan looks at her. “What’s it say?”
Charlotte pauses a second too long. Then she looks up. “It’s higher.”
No one says anything.
Jameson wipes the tiny drop of blood onto his shorts. “Can I go outside now?”
Charlotte gives him a small smile. “Sure.”
He hops off the bench and heads for the stairs. A second later, his footsteps thump up onto the deck.
She keeps her eyes on the doorway until the sound of him fades. Ryan does the same.
No one speaks until it’s quiet again.
Then Ryan looks at her. “How bad is it?”
Charlotte lets out a slow breath. “His sugar is climbing.”
His gaze drops to the insulin kit beside her. “How much do we have left?”
She picks up one of the insulin vials, turning it between her fingers. “Mum packed plenty. That’s not the problem. It’s supposed to stay refrigerated, and the fridge stopped working the first night.”
Ryan stills. “How long does it last without refrigeration?”
“I don’t know.”
He exhales, tension creeping into his shoulders. “What happens if it goes bad?”
Charlotte looks down at the vial. “It’s notif. It’swhen. And when his blood sugar rises…” She pauses, steadying herself. “He’s going to get really sick.”
“He needs fresh insulin. We have to find a way off this island.”
I lean back against the counter. “Solid plan, genius. You got a boat tucked away somewhere?”
Neither of them reacts.
Charlotte looks at Ryan. “You’ve been working on the radio. You can fix it, right? You’re good with that stuff.”
Ryan shakes his head. “I’ve tried.”
Her brow tightens. “What do you mean you tried? You’re just giving up?”
He gestures to the mess spread across the table. “The radios are smashed. Wiring’s ripped out. The transmitter’s gone.” He taps the open casing. “Same with the emergency beacon.”
Charlotte frowns. “But that’s automatic. It’s supposed to send a signal if something happens.”
“Yeah.”
“So why isn’t it?”
