Page 217 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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My chest tightens.

Aspen’s hand grips my arm hard.

“That’s him,” she whispers.

I nod once.

Eyes scanning.

We’re just at the edge of the tree line now.

Through the brush—

I see them.

Three men.

Armed.

Moving along the dirt road that cuts behind the property.

And between them—

An older man.

Unsteady.

Disoriented.

Trying to keep up.

Failing.

One of the men grabs his arm too roughly, jerking him forward.

“Move!”

Grandpa stumbles.

Almost falls.

Something inside me goes cold.

Dead cold.

Because they don’t know what they’re handling.

And they don’t care.

Aspen inhales sharply beside me.

I feel her shift.

Like she’s about to run toward him.

I catch her wrist.

Firm.

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