Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 28.1 - Ghosts

Chapter twenty eight

Ghosts

Sam led the way through the underbrush, his legs aching with the effort. No one complained. They hadn't said a word since leaving Snitch Gravel's base, as if talking would kill their wounded. Sam hadn't dared ask if Jimmy and Kay were still alive.

The sweat dripping down his face left marks in the fluorescent dust covering him. One of Tom's crazier but better ideas. If they hadn't scared the wits out of Snitch Gravel's men, things could have been worse.

As they approached camp, Jerry ran past him and led the group around the trap. The others picked up the pace too. As soon as they entered camp Harry came running towards them, his face pale.

"Sam? What happened?"

Sam felt a sudden desire to punch Herrison and everyone else in that agency for endangering everyone he held dear. Would he find Lisa next? But he had no time for this now. He motioned for Harry to come help them.

He came over and took Tom's place to help Billy take Jimmy to his tent while Jerry motioned for Kyle to get Kay to hers. Jessie and Alice rushed to Jimmy while Angie chased after Kyle. Christine and Tina hesitated for a moment then followed Angie. Sam and Tom remained in the center of camp with only Jerry for company.

Jerry stared at them for a few seconds then hugged them both at once, knocking their heads together. "I was so worried, so... how...?" He let go and analyzed them. "Are you okay? What's with that bloody rag around your head, Sam?"

Sam tugged at what used to be the sleeve of his shirt. He'd used it for a bandage after he'd bumped his head against a rock. "I'm fine. I just forgot to take it off. We're obviously walking, talking and breathing. You seem much worse."

Jerry, who had a huge bruise under one eye and a bloody gush across his t-shirt, waved him away. "Nothing serious. I should go tend to Kay." He ran towards her tent.

The moment he was gone, Harry and Billy came out of Jimmy's tent, both of their face screwed up as if they'd just seen someone throwing up.

"This sucks," Billy said while Harry hugged Sam. "Jimmy's bad. And that stupid Alice won't let Jessie take care of it. I was so close to slapping her."

Sam stomach seemed to have disappeared off the face of the planet, leaving a painful void behind. He looked around for Christine. He needed her more than ever. Instead, Kyle limped towards them and hugged Sam so hard, he almost choked. Before he could pull himself together, Kyle let him go to hug Tom and Billy.

Christine, Tina and Angie came back, too. The vise around Sam's heart loosened. He stepped towards Christine, but the appearance of Jessie, her eyes red and full of tears, stopped him. All of them stared at her.

"I..." Her voice cracked and she raised her eyes. "I can't stop the bleeding. Whatever I do, it won't stop." She looked at them as though expecting punishment.

Tom walked to her and hugged her.

She hugged him back, crying on his shoulder. "I'm so happy you're okay." She smiled between tears, looking at Sam and Billy. "Did the arrows we carved in the trees lead you back?"

"You're a genius, d'you know that?" Tom asked, rubbing her arms.

Jessie's smile faded. "If I were, I'd be able to make Jimmy better."

"I'll help you, Jessie. I took first aid," Harry said.

"I'll help, too," Tina said and she and Harry headed for Jimmy's tent.