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“You have to let go of my hand now.”
She squeezed his arm tighter then forced herself to let go and grip the top of the ledge.
Help, Jesus. I’m clinging to You like I’m clinging to this rock.
She eased herself down another foot, but she didn’t know exactly where she was going. Looking seemed to be the worst option though. Even if she were in a full harness, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to move her face more than the inch it was from the mountain.
She chanced a glance down. Her stomach, empty as it was, made an appearance in her throat.
“Keep going. You’re almost there. And breathe, Chloe.”
Her fingers hurt from the cold, making it even more difficult to hold the rocks.
Pkow.
The shot scattered the few birds from the trees.
Chloe’s foot slipped. A yelp escaped her lips.
The rope tightened around her waist.
She regained her footing, but the rope was too tight. “Slack.”
They were probably almost out of rope, but it loosened, and she went down another two feet. The rocks beside her opened. Josh had sent her down in just the right spot.
She climbed into the hole that was barely big enough for her. “I’m in.” Air rushed into her lungs, and she gasped for a few breaths. But she couldn’t relax until Josh was with her.
In a fraction of the time it had taken her, Josh descended and was beside the opening. “Is it bigger inside?”
“A bit.”
“Help me with the pack?”
She carefully reached between him and the wall and unclipped the far shoulder strap. Then she grabbed the pack and pulled it in as Josh slid his arm out of the other strap. He followed. The space beyond the opening was twice as wide, but only as long and tall.
She set the pack down and pulled Josh into her arms. He wrapped her tightly.
“You did it.” His breath was warm in her ear.
“Can we just die in here though, because I don’t want to do it again, and that’s the only way out.”
“It’s only another twenty feet down.”
“Too far to jump.”
“We’ll deal with that later. Just let me hold you right now.”
They shifted position and sat against the wall away from the opening.
The same raspy voice echoed through the valley. “I’ll find you.”
Chloe curled deeper into Josh’s arms.
Gabe walked back into the squad room. He hadn’t meant to sleep for two hours, but he’d needed it.
Buck looked up from his desk. “Get over here.”
Gabe pulled up a chair next to Buck. “Find something?”
