HERS TO PROTECT

Chapter 11

Island Challenges

As Lia melted into Ethan's embrace, everything around them faded, the warmth of her touch and the softness of her lips against his consumed him entirely. Ethan felt a deep sense of peace, a connection that transcended mere survival. They were isolated from the commotion outside at that time.

But then, a loud crash from the woods shattered their reverie, the sudden noise sliced through the tranquility like a knife, flooding them with familiar anxiety.

"Ethan," Lia gasped, pulling away abruptly, her eyes wide with alarm.

"Damn it. Why does this always happen?" Ethan muttered, frustration lacing his voice. "When we finally manage a moment of peace, life throws us another curveball. What now?" He felt muscular strain by rubbing the back of his neck. "Can't we ever catch a break?"

Lia stood up, her senses alert and ready. "Stay here," she demanded, her voice steady, filled with determination. Without waiting for a response, she moved confidently into the shadows.

Watching her disappear into the darkness, Ethan's heart raced with fear and uncertainty. What if she didn't return? What if whatever lurked out there proved too much for her? The thought twisted in his gut like a vice.

He wanted to follow, to protect her, but he knew it was wiser to stay put. Lia was strong and capable; her instincts were sharper than his own. She had saved him countless times before, yet the idea of her facing unknown dangers alone churned his stomach.

While trying to calm his breathing, Ethan listened carefully for signs, but all he could think about was Lia. Her touch and look seemed brittle now, like a thread about to break.

Unable to bear the thought of losing her, he clenched his fists and shot to his feet, following her into the night.

He hadn't gone far when he saw her standing there, confused. A wild boar stormed through the underbrush at them. Lia instinctively reached for her knife, her body tensing for confrontation.

A commotion erupted in the dark woods, branches snapping and footsteps approaching.

"Whoa!" Ethan stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding the boar, which darted past him, clearly frightened.

"Ethan, run!" Lia shouted, but it was too late. As the boar veered away, a massive saltwater crocodile, nearly twenty-three feet long, emerged from the shadows, its predatory eyes gleaming like polished obsidian.

"Whoa! Shit! It's huge!" Ethan gasped, heart racing.

"Move! We need to run!" Lia commanded, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the trees.

They dashed through the forest, the crocodile crashing through the undergrowth behind them. Lia's mind raced, recalling survival techniques she had read about in books.

"Climb a tree, Ethan!" she yelled. "Any tree, hurry!"

Ethan spotted a sturdy tree with low branches and scrambled up, Lia close behind. Below them, the crocodile snapped its jaws, narrowly missing Lia's foot.

"Damn! This feels like a Captain Hook chase, doesn't it?" Ethan whispered, catching his breath on a branch.

Lia shot him a surprised glance but didn't respond.

"Ouch!" Ethan complained, shifting to find a safe spot. The moonlight illuminated large red ants crawling toward them. "Shit, red ants!" he exclaimed.

"Great, we escaped the crocodile, only to become a buffet for these ants!" Ethan grumbled, swatting them away. "Ouch! Shit!"