I turned around, shocked to see Micah, Sierra, and Adams behind me.
“What’s going on?” Jace asked as he advanced forward with his hands on his hips staring intently at Adams.
Adams was crying. Sierra looked pissed. Micah had a sheepish look on his face.
“She jumped me,” Micah looked embarrassed. “I didn’t know she was going to grab my arm.”
“It’s my friend that’s hurt,” Adams cried out, but anger lurked in her eyes. “I had the right to come too.”
Sierra turned with her hands on her hips. “You had no right!” She pointed a finger at Adams. Then she turned back to us. “One of the guys decided to head out today with a group, despite the fact that Terrance told him not to. One of the guys fell and broke his leg bad. His bone is protruding out of his skin. We called for help, but a helicopter can’t land where we are, with the low visibility. The medics will have to hike in. He needs help now. Even if they could, the medical staff isn’t equipped to help him out currently. Will sent Micah to get Blake and Noah because we’re afraid to move him. Will wasn’t sure if you guys could do anything, but he had to try. He told Micah not to tell us your location, though.”
“He only showed me. I didn’t tell anyone,” Micah said fervently.
“It’s okay, Micah, you’re not to blame,” Sierra insisted. “I needed to go with Micah to amplify him, and she jumped on before he left. We told her she wasn’t allowed to come.”
“I don’t see what the big deal was,” Adams rolled her eyes. Her tears magically gone as she looked around our cave in interest. Her eyes were narrowed as she looked at all of us in very little clothing. “This looks cozy,” she said disdainfully as she advanced towards or fire.
“Let’s get dressed,” I told Noah as I stood up.
“In the future,” Jace said coldly. “I will appreciate it if you respected our team. All of our team, including the people with you right now.”
Adams snorted. “Respect is earned, and I don’t see what the big deal is.”
I was unable to hear Jace’s response as I quickly went behind our wool blankets to dress in privacy with Noah. I pulled on my dry socks, a bra, and a sweatshirt.
How cold is it where you are? I asked Sierra telepathically.
She came around the corner. “Cold,” she admitted quietly. “Terrance kept telling the team lead that we needed to stop and find a proper shelter yesterday. He knew it was going to snow soon. The lead was determined to catch up with you guys. He thought Terrance was just trying to help you all out. When the snow started coming down, we found an outcropping of rocks to shelter us for the most part, but the fire kept going out. All the wood was wet. Terrance, Dawn, Marcel, Jemmy, Rachel, Sam, Gavin, and I were packed in one tent. We were all bundled up under our sleeping bags together. Terrance heard a commotion this morning and the team lead was heading out again. Terrance told him it wasn’t a promising idea. He ignored him and a group of them, including Adams headed out. Four of them came back a little while ago, but we don’t know where the others are. He has about six guys with him. Everyone else jumped ship and started listening to Terrance. Terrance has made camp better since the lead left. We pulled our resources together and Terrance and Sam were able to use their gifts
to protect us better from the elements.”
As she talked, I layered my clothing for warmth. “That’s what we feared would happen,” Noah admitted quietly. “We feared they wouldn’t utilize you guys correctly.”
I frowned. “If you guys want, maybe we can finish this together. Micah can transport you guys back here with us.”
Sierra shook her head. “You know Terrance. He won’t abandon them, even if they’re jackasses. Although,” she smirked. “I wouldn’t mind a dip in the pool. Is that steam I see.”
I laughed as we walked out from behind our makeshift curtain. “It is. It’s a hot spring. We kind of got lucky.”
Sierra giggled. “I agree, and you guys went fishing?”
“We did,” Noah nodded. “How are you guys on food?”
She shrugged. “Not bad. We took eight MREs each. We are rationing what we eat.”
“More than we did,” I informed her. “That’s why we went fishing just in case.”
I saw Troy and Jace was standing over Adams as she sat on a rock. From her mutinous expression, I had a feeling they made her sit. I imagined she came here to spy on us and figure out our location. Micah was sitting next to Remy as he quietly explained what he was doing. It looked like he was assembling a tripod for the fish to smoke.
“Are we ready?” I asked as I grimaced. My boots were still wet, and I hated the idea of putting them back on. I hated wet shoes. I hated wet socks more.
“Yes, let’s do this,” Noah nodded as he looked over at Adams, distrust in his eyes.
Micah reluctantly got up. “Can I ask Pops to come back here when we’re done?”
I frowned, hating to disappoint him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mic. We’re not sure how much longer we’ll be out here, and you’re not really dressed for it,” I pointed to his jeans, sneakers, stocking cap, and coat.
Micah frowned. “I’m used to the cold. I’ll be alright.”