He couldn't have been more than eight. Long black hair fell in loose waves over his shoulders, totally unruffled and gleaming in the sunlight drifting through the thick canopy of branches above our heads. He peered down at me with dark gray eyes, black lashes brushing against his cheeks every time he blinked.
What was a kid doing out here? And alone?
I rolled over onto my belly, coughing and spitting up water as I got up onto my knees. I was still trying to process what he'd said to me. His Cryptex? No, definitely not.
The boy made no moves in my direction as I wrung out my shirtfront between my trembling hands and reached up to remove my backpack.
Everything inside would be drenched. I winced at the thought of the map and scroll, wondering if they were ruined and beyond repair.
“
