Page 275 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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Past it.

Beyond it.

To where I know the land stretches out.

To the farm.

To the place Aspen came back to. So she can take care of grandpa.

To the place grandpa knows… even if he doesn’t remember it clearly.

My jaw tightens.

“He didn’t pick random,” I say.

Aspen’s voice is barely there.

“What does that mean?”

I step closer to her.

Lower my voice.

“He picked somewhere safe,” I say.

“Somewhere no one would think to look.”

Her breath catches.

“Havoc…”

I hold her gaze.

Let her see it.

Let her feel it.

“The farm,” I say.

Silence.

Absolute.

Crushing.

“No,” she whispers. “No, he wouldn’t—he didn’t even know I was coming back—”

“He didn’t need to,” I reply.

Her head shakes.

Confusion.

Fear.

Hope.

All of it crashing together.

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