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I swipe my hand over my wet face, glad that the water disguises my tears. I’m so tired of crying, whether it’s from fear or pain. “I don’t think so. I mean, not any worse than yesterday.”
Like he needs to assure himself I’m not lying, Chase clutches my hand and guides me to shallower water where the waves glide around our ankles instead of crashing into our backs. I suck in my bottom lip and spin around slowly. My heart thuds under his scrutiny, the sensation of his gaze sending tingles blooming over me.
“No! Oh, God! No!” Alicia’s voice rips through the air as she screams.
It knocks the sense into both me and Chase, and he straightens upright, locking his arms around me. If I didn’t practically climb him, he’d probably throw me over his shoulder and dive back into the water.
“They’re dead! I told you, Hank! We should’ve helped!” Alicia yells, releasing a sob.
“The wolves would’ve killed us too!” Hank’s masculine voice snaps at me even with the distance, and I cringe. “You should thank me. I could’ve left you there.”
“He’s right. It was their fault for falling asleep during their watch. They could’ve gotten us killed.” Tiffany hops down from a branch in one of the tangled trees. She spins around, grabbing onto one of the forgotten makeshift stakes.
“We could’ve at least tried.” Alicia comes into view, her body scraped and bleeding. She must’ve climbed the trees too. “What if it was one of you?”
Tiffany steps closer to Alicia. “We wouldn’t have fallen asleep.”
A whistle cuts their argument off, the sound loud enough to hurt my ears. “Is the doctor alive? Jack is still breathing.” I recognize Reggie’s voice.
Chase hesitates, and the others look at him. I don’t know if it’s because he’s afraid that the pack of wolves could come back or what, but he isn’t quick to respond to the rest of our group on the beach. I can’t really blame him. Just the sight of the blood on the sand twists my stomach.
“You don’t have to be the doctor now, Chase.” Davian tightens his jaw. “I don’t even know how much you could do. Look at the amount of blood. No one could survive losing that much.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll do what I can. I was just...maybe stay here.” Chase tries to let go of my hand, but my fingers tighten more. It’s as if my body refuses to let him go.
He gives up trying and tugs me along through the waves. The others follow us, and we stay together, guarded, as we head to the aftermath. Bloody paw prints decorate the sand like spooky art intended for fall. I hop and step onto the clean spots while Chase kicks through, smearing away the blood the best he can.
My body cools as I search around the camp. Everything is ruined. The shelters lie in shambles, covered in even more blood. I’ve never seen something so horrendous in my life. Chase lifts me up, carrying me over...ugh. No. Fuck. I try not to think about the fact that Creed’s body lies in pieces, torn apart like the prey he became. I keep my gaze toward the trees. These vicious wolves are on top here. I thought it was starvation or dehydration I would have to survive and not the wild monstrous wolves’ unquenchable taste for blood.
“Fuck. This is not how I want to go.” Evander steps up on my other side and brushes his shoulder to mine.
“Same, dude,” Tristan mutters.
“We need better weapons. Higher shelter. Protection. Traps. Anything to give us a chance.” Adam stays behind me out of view. “Maybe we can make platforms or something. Like hunters.”
I accidentally dart my eyes to the sand, realizing that my foot sinks into a muddy pool of blood too heavy to absorb into the sand. I gag, nearly losing my dinner from last night, and Adam surprises me by spinning me around and scooping me up.
Our eyes meet, and his hazel eyes shift back and forth as he studies me, carrying me to the water. His chest rises and falls against mine, his muscles cording with his tenseness. The others continue to argue about what to do. I don’t even care at this point. I just want the blood off me and the memory erased from my mind.
Adam sets me on my feet, letting the tide wash away the blood. Neither of us comments on the fact that my boobs were just pressed against his hard chest or how we’re the only ones not trying to take charge. “There’s nothing any of us can do until we come to an agreement. Why don’t we see if we can find anything useful? I can’t stand around and argue about pointless bullshit.”
I bob my head, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth. Adam guides me back to the dry sand, keeping close as he tries to shield my view. His silent attempt to protect me from the aftermath hits me hard in a good way.
“We’re going to gather more shit and do something useful. I suggest you guys salvage what you can here.” Adam scoops up the empty supply bag. “Maybe we can find another one of these.”
“Wait, I want to help. You’re right, Adam. We need to act instead of fight.” Alicia’s voice shakes with her comment. I don’t look at her. I can’t. Behind her lies the bodies of several of our group. Including Penelope. My heart hurts remembering her screams for help and how no one even tried. Survival of the cowards is something I never thought about, but I guess bravery can ensure someone’s death—at least on this island.
Tears well in my eyes, and I try my best not to cry. This is so unfair. The men who put us through this are fucking monsters. We shouldn’t have to be in such a position to pick ourselves first, but here we are.
“If it’s okay,” Alicia adds when neither of us responds to her. I think Adam waits for me while I wait for him. Bloody feet step up beside mine, and I finally get myself to look at Alicia. Tiffany joins her, crossing her arms over her boobs. Ian falls behind them, keeping close and carrying a large branch.
“Yeah, sure,” I manage to say.
Adam squeezes my hand. “As long as you don’t trip us to save yourselves. Don’t think I won’t pull your asses down with me.”
Tiffany scoffs, her eyebrows arching. “Don’t act like—”
“Hey! See if you guys can get some more dry wood for the fire and fresh water. I need to try to clean Jack’s wounds.” Chase calls, cutting off Tiffany. His voice fades on the cool morning breeze. He points at Tristan and Evander. “One of you try to ignite the smoldering branches into a fire again. We need it.”
