“Charley, you okay?” I stepped closer, wondering what was up with her.
She didn’t answer.
I hesitated. “Charley?”
She dropped the rock, then the coconuts, like a juggler who’s lost control. Green strips fell like confetti. Charley crumpled to the ground, where her head struck a boulder with a sickening crack.
I ran over, way too late. C’mon, Thad. I wanted to kick my own ass.You can time it better than that.
Charley was out cold. Bright red blood dripped down her temple. I kneeled beside her, not sure what to do. Moving head trauma victims was never a good call, but neither was sending Jason back alone for help. And leaving her here wasn’t an option. It’d be like a sacrifice to Nil.
I picked up Charley, thinking she was too light for someone her height.
Jason came over as I stepped onto the beach. “What happened?” he asked.
“She passed out. Hit her head on a rock.”
“She’s bleeding.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” I scowled at Jason. “Let’s hustle. Watch the tree line. And keep a hand on your spear.”
We strode in silence, retracing our steps. Charley didn’t stir, which scared me.
“Thad, look!” Jason’s shout was excited. “See it? Near the high-tide mark!”
“What?” I panted.
“Gate at two o’clock!”
Now I saw it. Up ahead, glittering air rose from the ground, writhing like a sheet of living ice.
“Go, Jason!” I said. “Run!”
“What?” He looked stunned. “No way! It’s yours!”
“No. I’m taking Charley back. Now go!”
Indecision flickered across Jason’s face.
“Go, dammit!Run!”
He shed his gear, then took off like a shot. Digging deep, arms pumping, Jason bolted like a beach sprint, only this time it was the real deal. Seventy meters out, the iridescent wall of air rolled away from us, racing toward the trees.
“Angle up!” I shouted.
Jason didn’t acknowledge me, but I knew he’d heard. His head stayed down, his feet flying over the black sand.
Run, Jason. Get there. He had the speed, the distance. The angle.
Victory roared in my chest. Jason was less than a meter away.
Then the gate collapsed, dissolving into a shimmering line, then a black dot. And then it was gone.
Only one victory today, Nil teased, shaking her polished finger, her island eyes laughing.Not two.
Jason stood near where the outbound had vanished, his hands on his knees, his chest heaving.
“Any more?” I yelled. My gut said no, the first one was too fast, but you never knew what Nil might have up her designer sleeve.
