Page 34 of Shadows Relived
The kids didn’t help her focus. Sophie whimpered every time Callen groaned, and Lucas kept asking if he was going to die. Willie just cried.
“I need space,” she said gently, trying to push them back.
Sophie sniffled. “You’re not gonna let himdie, right?”
“No, baby. I won’ t let anyone die.”
She glanced at Callen, who gave her the faintest smirk.
“I told you,” he said through gritted teeth. “Kick-butt Ranger.”
She shot him a glare but didn’t argue. “He’s going to be all right, kids. He’s strong, remember? He’s the one who got us out after all.”
She pressed the gauze to his side, and he hissed when she did. “Just hold still, dammit.”
Callen chuckled weakly. “Bossy as ever. And I thought you didn’t like bad words. That’s two in less than a minute.”
She rolled her eyes. “Someone needs to boss you around.”
His gaze locked with hers, sharp even in pain. “I’m glad it’s you.”
As she cleaned the wound, she tried to think. They couldn’t stay there long because the cold was already creeping in, and the kids wouldn’t last a night out in the open. Besides, who knew how many others were out there hunting them down. They needed to get out of there.
The kids clung tighter, and she leaned into the rhythm of tending wounds and reassuring terrified children, trying not to unravel.
When she finally had the bleeding slowed and the makeshift bandage in place, she sagged back on her heels. “So what now? We can’t stay here forever.” She took a slow breath, her nerves almost at the breaking point. “What are we going to do, Callen?”
His expression turned grim. “Hopefully, the traps keepthem at bay, if not take them out altogether. We need to get back to the SUV. Once we’re mobile, I can reach out to Blaze, and he’ll help us find another fallback spot.”
She wanted to argue, because he was in no shape to fight. Still, she could see the set of his jaw and knew he was already planning their next move.
With a grunt, he forced himself to his feet, using the rock wall for balance. The blood on his side had already soaked through the bandage. Meaghan wanted to scream, but instead she simply turned back to the children.
“All right, kids,” she said, forcing calm into her tone. “It’s time to go. Remember, stay as quiet as possible and keep an ear out for anything that seems… out of place. Stay with me.”
They nodded, pale and shaky but obedient. Lucas wiped his nose on his sleeve, while Sophie reached for her hand.
The walk back was slower, more tense, and Callen leaned heavily on her, sweat slicking his brow despite the cold breeze. The kids were quiet for once, likely too tired and scared to complain. When the cabin finally came into view, Meaghan nearly sobbed in relief.
However, Callen stopped her with a touch.
“Someone’s still here.”
“How do you know?” she asked, feeling the tension ripple through the kids. They dropped lower, mimicking his stance.
He nodded toward the disturbed pine needles near the edge of the clearing. “One set of tracks. Smaller guy. Probably remained behind to keep an eye out in case wereturned.”
“So what do we do now?”
Callen gave her a quick glance. “You keep the kids back. I’ll take care of it.”
“You’re shot, in case you forgot.”
“I’m also pissed off and very motivated.”
“Callen—”
“Stay,” he ordered, and before she could argue, he slipped away into the trees.
