We grabbed our go-bags, already packed for a moment like this. "Yeah, well, look at the bright side. We get to see another part of the world."
She snorted, and minutes later, we were outside again, making for the plane. The island remained quiet, but the hairs on the back of my neck prickled with unseen eyes.
Ava tossed me the keys as we reached the puddle jumper. I fired up the engine, the single prop roaring to life. The floats rocked, then steadied as the throttle engaged.
She snapped on her harness, eyes bright with adrenaline. “Where to?”
“Anywhere but here.”
The plane cut through the water, picking up speed. Ava's eyes closed as she breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth. We lifted off, my eyes shifting down as a couple of military-aged figures burst onto the beach, pistols in hand, scanning the sands before them.
Too late.
We climbed fast, banking left as the lead man looked up into the sky, his hand braced across his brow. The men took on the size of ants as we left another threat behind, rising into the sky like Ikarus.
“Suckers,” I muttered.
Ava's hand found mine as we leveled off, and she gave it a squeeze.
Another chase.
Another escape.
Another place waiting for us somewhere beyond the horizon.
I glanced at her. “Ready for the next adventure?”
"With you..." She smiled with an assured nod. “Always.”