“That’ll do.”
They each wandered off to find a private tree. By the time Flynn got back, Chris had already collapsed her tent and was sliding out the poles. He did the same, while Pru pulled out the energy bars sent for their breakfast. They ate and packed up camp quickly. Clyde radioed back to the command center at the house.
Xander came back quickly. “We’ve got a hundred volunteers waiting for orders. Chris, what’s your plan? Over.”
“Picking back up where we left off. Based on our position, I suggest splitting the volunteers down the middle and sending half out in an arc, coming at us from the opposite side of the ridge, starting at the highway. Seems unlikely Ari made it past that point yesterday.” She gave the coordinates.
“Done. There’s a whole other group searching town. I don’t think she went that way, but one way or the other, we’re gonna find her today. Over.”
“Copy. We’re headed out.” Chris gave the handset back to Clyde and pulled out the zip-top bag holding Ari’s socks. She opened the bag and held a sock for Dash to sniff. “This Ari. Find Ari. Find Ari, Dash.”
The dog circled their camp once, twice, three times, before setting off toward the south again. They all fell into step behind him. The path they followed led off the ridge and down toward a stream. They crossed it and followed it for a while. Flynn noted what he presumed were animal trails leading away from it here and there. Some of the tracks belonged to things he didn’t want to think about. There were predators in these mountains, and Ari had been alone last night.
“Most people, when they’re lost, will take the path of least resistance,” Chris explained. “They’re tired, often injured. A lot of people will follow water, reasoning that will eventually lead to civilization.”
Pru looked around the thick woods. “There’s definitely no civilization for miles yet. I’m not even quite sure where we are.”
Dash barked twice, his head shooting up and his ears pricking, before he bulleted off through the trees. Flynn didn’t stop to think, he just ran. Branches tore at his arms and face, as his long legs ate up the distance. When he broke free, he found Dash circling the base of a tree, rearing up on his hind legs and whining. High above, a platform nestled in the branches. As he neared, he saw the scatter of orange peels on the ground. He leapt for the rudimentary ladder nailed to the tree, already climbing before the others caught up.
“Ari?”
A sleepy voice answered. “Flynn?”
“Ari.” He made it to the top of the platform and saw her, sitting up from where she’d obviously been sleeping on her backpack. Her face and clothes were smudged with dirt, and there were scratches along her arms and face, but she was all in one piece. Safe.
Flynn hauled himself onto the platform in time for her to launch herself into his arms. She began to cry, hanging onto him like a limpet. “I’ve got you, cailín beag. I’ve got you.” He wrapped his arms tight around her and rocked, sending up prayers and promises to the Almighty in thanks for her safe deliverance.
“I heard you. Last night, I heard you playing.”
“Did you?”
“I wanted to answer back, but I didn’t have anything with me, and I climbed up here to keep away from any bears.”
“Bears?” he asked sharply. Thank God he hadn’t known about those. “Clever girl. What is this thing?”
“A hunter’s platform. They hide up here for deer hunting.”
“Flynn?” Pru called up.
“She’s here. She’s safe.” He held Ari for just a few moments longer before pulling back. “Here now. Let’s go down. Pru’s been worried about you.”
They climbed down together, Flynn going first in case she was unsteady. At the bottom of the ladder, Ari fell into Pru’s embrace and they both burst into tears.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Mom.”
Pru squeezed her tight. “It’s okay. I’m not mad, baby. I’m just so glad you’re okay.”
“But I’m not okay,” Ari wailed. “That awful woman said she was going to take me away. I don’t wanna go away. I wanna stay with you.”
Flynn’s throat went tight.
Pru’s arms tightened around her. “We’re gonna deal with that, and you can bet every single one of us is going to fight. But don’t you worry about that right now. Let’s just get you home.”
The crackle of the radio pulled Flynn’s attention from the reunion.
Chris was grinning as she made the call back to the command center. “We’ve found her. Repeat, we’ve found her. Ari’s coming home.”
Now he just had to find a way to make sure she stayed there.