“What?” She shook it. “No, you stupid thing.”
She pressed the message and hit send just in case. Nothing. Growling, she darted her gaze to Davis.
“Why would it do that? It makes no sense.”
Davis’s eyes widened. He jerked his head to look out the window. His jaw clenched.
“Get your gear.” His words fired out. “We have to leave.”
“Why?” she asked, but she didn’t wait for the answer to lift her pack.
“I’m not sure. Gut feeling.” Davis packed up the first-aid kit and pushed her toward the door. “You can’t pinpoint a signal if it’s not working.”
Her steps froze on the porch as what he said fully registered. If their enemy could somehow track their signal, then Davis’s message just gave their location away.
“Why wouldn’t they just keep it on then? Find us quicker?” She turned to him.
“We’d be able to get messages out to the authorities. This way, they know where to start looking.” He stepped up to her, squeezing her elbow. “Don’t worry. We’ll make clear tracks south toward Chicken, then circle back. I won’t let them find us.”
She nodded, swallowing the lump of fear choking her. She may act tough, declaring their need to infiltrate enemy lines. But if these guys had tech this sophisticated, her and Davis’s sneaking might lead them right into destruction.