We left the safety of the cave because, like Creed said, we won’t get anywhere by sitting pretty. So now, we’re continuing toward the coast and getting a good idea of how large of an island we’re dealing with. Creed moves in front of me, leading the way. Jiro walks behind me, taking up the rear, checking for danger from behind. . .

Or staring at my ass. He alternates between the two.

It’s slow moving, but when I start to hear the sounds of the crashing waves again, I breathe a sigh of relief even though we’ll have to turn around and head back the other way to keep the progress going. I’m starting to get agitated by the gnats that flit around my face, swiping at them every chance I get. I’m about to announce that fact and seem like the pampered princess I am—so sue me— when Creed holds up his hand for us to stop. I immediately clamp my lips shut, having learned by now how to act in this sort of situation. When the Navy Seal tells you to shut up, you shut up, regardless of the gnats trying to drink your eyeball moisture or not.

I hear the voices a few seconds after Creed makes us stop and tilt my head, understanding why we need to be quiet so fast. Jiro eases up beside me as silent as a mouse despite the leaves under his feet. His eyes focus in the direction of the voices as he presses his shoulder against mine. With a gentle nudge, he eases me forward, his hand on my thigh guiding me where to step so I don’t make any noise as we draw as close as we dare to. It’s strange to me that I’m the smallest between the three of us and yet the heaviest on my feet. Even Creed, as massive as he is, moves like a fucking tiger. It’s insane.

When we ease up and settle down beside Creed where he peeks between the leaves, the people the voices belong to appear. I’m careful not to move the palm fronds as I peer through. The moment Jiro removes his hand from my leg, I stop moving, understanding it’s time to be silent and still now.