Page 359 of Hidden Depths

Filled with everything he couldn’t say.

Then a bullet struck the rock above us.

He pulled me down.

“The controls!” Mom shouted.

The damaged walkway swung between the ledges, held by a single chain.

There was no longer a safe path across.

But the wheel kept turning.

The gate kept rising.

And the water kept coming.

Ward looked at the chain.

Then at me.

“No.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“I can make it.”

“No.”

“I’ve climbed rigging in hurricanes.”

“This isn’t rigging.”

“It’s close enough.”

He caught my wrist.

“I am not letting you cross that.”

“If the gate opens completely, none of us gets out.”

Ward’s grip tightened.

Behind him, Ben and Nathan continued firing toward the passage.

Mom shouted instructions over the noise.

Someone had to reach the controls.

I touched Ward’s face.

He went utterly still.

“I’ll come back.”

His eyes held mine.