Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 26.1 - Lost and Found

Chapter twenty six

Lost and found

Kyle rummaged through his survival kit, making sure everything was there. He'd expected Kay to leave while he'd been knocked out, but he'd hoped the trance would be over quickly. Instead, it had lasted all night.

Cursing under his breath, he closed the belt on his blue jeans and searched for a suitable t-shirt. He stopped in mid-process and rubbed his forehead. For a whole year he'd only worn black and white. It felt weird that he'd decided to change that today, almost like an omen. He brushed the thought away and continued his search.

"Hello, Superman."

Kyle jumped and twisted towards the entrance. Jessie was giggling madly, her hands covering her mouth. She joined him next to the rucksack and started searching inside, too.

"Get lost, Wonder Woman." He pushed his hip against hers.

"Did I ever tell you I love your sense of humor?" She pulled out a jean shirt. "That and the fact that you don't care that you're abnormally good-looking."

He rolled his eyes. "Neither do you." He pulled out a black t-shirt and shoved it over his head.

Jessie put the shirt on and made a pirouette as though in front of a mirror. "You're in a hurry to get on with the search."

Kyle raised his eyebrows. The shirt was way too big for Jessie's small frame. "Actually, I'm going to look for Kay. She's in trouble."

Jessie's eyes widened, all traces of playfulness gone. "What do you mean?"

Kyle strapped on his backpack. "She came back, but was acting all funny. And now she's gone again. I have a hunch where she is."

Jessie's hands darted to her mouth. "She couldn't have!"

"I'm sure she didn't go quietly. I want to know what he has on her. Where's Jimmy?"

"Eavesdropping on your conversation," Jimmy answered, coming in. "You really think Kay's at Snitch Gravel's base?"

Kyle nodded. "I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think so. You two continue the search. And tell Jerry I'm gone."

"Oh, no. We're telling Jerry, but we're coming with you." Jimmy folded his arms over his chest. "You could collapse and die out there."

"We don't have time for this." Kyle waved him away. "We have to get out of here as soon as possible. Tell Jerry to search through Sam's stuff and see if that map of the temple is still there."

"Why don't you tell me yourself?" Jerry entered the tent, his fists clenched. "You haven't talked to me properly in days. If I stopped being obnoxious, it doesn't mean you should start."

Kyle looked at him through narrowed eyes for a second then turned to Jimmy. "You and Jessie find Sam, Tom and Billy. We need them back. After I get Kay, we're hightailing it out of here."

"You can't go on your own—" Jerry stopped once Kyle raised his hand.

"There's a reason I'm not talking to you, fathead. Have a taste of your own medicine. Now shut up and do as I say." He turned on his heels and walked out of his tent, towards the trees. It was nice to see Jerry had finally come to his senses.

*

Jessie laid the map on the ground. "I think we could shorten the route. Instead of going to the hut and then along the river, we could go across, straight to where we left off yesterday."