"Put me back down!" I say to Dante, my voice cracking. I wriggle, trying to free myself, even though I know my ankle can't support my weight right now.

"I'm not going to leave you to hobble over there by yourself," he replies. His arms tighten and his fingers press into my skin as he marches across the sand toward the stairs.

We reach the base of the steps just as Jack does.

"God, Ash. I've been looking everywhere for - " His words cut off when Dante ...