Page 461 of Hidden Depths

Of me.

Ward’s arm came around my shoulders.

I turned into him.

This time, I didn’t care who saw.

I cried for my father.

For Grandpa.

For the little girl who had watched the horizon and waited for a boat that would never come home.

Ward held me through all of it.

They carried Thomas from the cavern first.

He complained the entire way.

That was how we knew he would survive.

Mom went with him.

Nathan never left her side.

Calle walked ahead of us with Ben.

He swayed once on the stairs.

She caught his arm.

“You’re going to the hospital.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’ve bled through two bandages.”

“I’ve had worse.”

Calle stopped.

Ben took two more steps before realizing she was no longer beside him.

He turned.

She folded her arms.

“I’m not moving until you agree.”

“We’re inside a mountain.”

“I know.”

“An unstable mountain.”

“I noticed.”

“Calle.”