Shadowed Eden by Katie Clark Page A

line and load you up with some fruit and water,” Luca said.
    Excitement fluttered to life again. If they could find someone and bring help back then the group might still be rescued soon. They weren’t totally hopeless.
    In the meantime, Avery would have some time to look for Rae. He promised to help them. She wanted to see him again. To know whose side he was on. She wanted answers.
    Everyone worked as a whole to gather fruit and water for Bradley’s group. Once they’d loaded backpacks full of supplies, the entire group huddled together.
    “The village is in the east,” Sam said. “Keep the sun to your back. Look for any signs of civilization—roads, villages, huts. If you see a car, try to flag it down.”
    Bradley nodded. It was surprising that he was willing to take anyone’s advice, but then Avery remembered they had worked on the van together.
    Luca and Bradley both obviously respected Sam.
    Avery would remember that.
    The group stood together in the shade as the threesome made their way into the desert. Some of them sat in the sand to watch.
    Avery had too much to do for waiting around. She turned to Luca. “We need to gather branches to make some kind of shelters. We also need our sunblock and sweaters from the van.” They’d carried water and fruit, but staying overnight meant they’d need the rest of their supplies as well.
    He studied her a moment, seeming surprised that she was taking charge again. She felt a blush coming on but instead of ducking, she chose to ignore it.
    Luca grinned. “Yes ma’am.”
    She smiled and rolled her eyes. “Tell me what you need me to do.”
    He glanced at the jungle then back to her. “If you don’t mind a hike across the sand again, you can help me bring back supplies from the van. Or you can wait here. Don’t go in the jungle alone. I’ll help you as soon as I get back.”
    “I can get some of the other girls to help me while you guys go to the van.”
    He looked like he wanted to argue, but after a second he snapped his mouth shut. “Sounds like a good plan.”
    Avery kept her smile to herself. Luca was trying to not boss her around like he was everyone else, but she could tell it wasn’t easy.
    Benny and David stood with Sam, arms crossed, as they watched Bradley’s group grow smaller in the distance.
    Luca made his way to them and spoke quietly for a moment, then the four of them headed toward the van.
    “Where are they going?” June asked.
    Avery watched them then turned away. “We need supplies and shelter. Want to help gather large branches and sticks?”
    The other girls glanced at her, but no one offered to help.
    Avery took a step closer to them. “Come on, guys. Do you want to walk back and forth to the van every morning and night?”
    “We’re not going to be here much longer, though, right?” Katelyn asked. “So it doesn’t really matter.”
    June shook her head. “It’s better than doing nothing.”
    Katelyn looked to Gabby for support, but Gabby was already standing to help Avery. Katelyn rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine. I’ll help.”
    “What about you guys?” Avery looked at Tasha, Mallory, and Brittany. They didn’t look happy about it, but they finally agreed to help, too.
    Avery led them into the jungle and everyone went their own way, searching for giant leaves and fallen branches. “Don’t go out of eyesight,” Avery warned. “Stay where we can see each other.”
    Starting at the edge of the trees, they pulled large branches into the shady sand.
    Avery scanned the jungle constantly, but there were no signs of Rae.
    Sweat pooled on her forehead and began dripping down her temple. The humid air sucked the life right out of her, and the farther into the jungle they moved, the more she wished she’d gotten a bottle of water from Luca. She grabbed branch after branch and carried it to the tree line, then returned each time for more.
    The other girls worked along with her, even though Tasha, Mallory, and Brittany took