Page 285 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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Aspen steps in beside me.

Her breath catches slightly.

“This place…”

“Focus,” I say quietly.

She nods.

Shakes it off.

Strong.

Always strong.

“Boards,” she whispers.

I glance down.

Wood floor.

Old.

Uneven.

Some are darker than others.

Some worn.

Some…

Wrong.

We’ve been here for twenty minutes, and Aspen looks at me.

“There,” she says suddenly.

Points.

Near the back wall.

I move first.

Crouch.

Press down lightly with my boot.

Solid.

Then shift slightly—

A faint hollow sound.

There it is.

I kneel.

Run my hand along the edge.

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