On The Prowl Read Online Free PDF Page A

Daniel walked through a broken arch, peering down a corridor, doors opening off one side. He looked up, following the line of the outer wall. “These are the small storage rooms?” Pointing ahead, he turned back to Addison.
    “They should be. At any rate, they’re only the width of the outer wall, two meters at most.”
    “Then that’s where we spend the night.” Daniel started down the narrow alley, poking into the first doorway.
    As he spoke, a fat raindrop fell on her face. “We should go then, before this opens up.”
    Daniel stepped through the first doorway, motioning her inside. She’d barely gotten through when the sky opened up. The force of the water took her breath away and she turned, looking back out. The world was a solid wall of water.
    “Not a minute too soon.” Daniel dropped his pack. “Typical jungle weather.”
    They settled in as best as they could. The room was empty, a dusty square of stone fitted together seamlessly. Daniel had brought a few pieces of wood from the ledge and managed to start a small fire, which burned just long enough for a hot cup of tea. Then it fizzled out and they were left in a bleary gray darkness.
    “If this doesn’t end tonight, we’re going to have to hike through it.” Daniel was sitting cross-legged near the door, watching the rain, nursing his tea.
    “Such an optimist. You brought your waterproofs, right?” She joined him, sitting on the dusty stone floor. It was much more comfortable than the ledge, but it still made her fidget, knowing they were wasting what was left of the day.
    “I did. But that doesn’t mean I enjoy slogging through the rain.”
    She sat for a minute, watching the rain. They were in a narrow alley and she had only a tiny view of the sky above to watch. She looked up, trying to will the rain to stop, the clouds to part, and the sun to emerge. Then they could press on. Daniel had gotten up, and she was aware of him moving around behind her.
    “Addison. Come here.”
    She turned, setting down her cup. “What is it?”
    “There’s another door here, looks like it leads to the next room. As long as we’re here, do you want to do a bit of exploring? Take your mind off not being able to go any further.”
    “Am I that obvious?” She laughed, shaking her head.
    “You are. Look at your nails. You pull at your cuticles when you’re anxious.”
    She looked down, self-consciously shoving her hands into her pockets. “Yes, I’m guilty. What’s beyond the door?”
    “A hallway. And more doors.” He stepped through the door and disappeared. A moment later she saw the flash of his light. She grabbed her light and followed.
    The passage was narrow and Daniel’s shoulders brushed against the dusty walls. The first door he came to refused to open, and they moved on. The next opened onto a room that was identical to theirs, and just as empty. Daniel flashed his light over the walls and floor.
    “Anything stored here has long since rotted, or been looted.”
    “It’s such a shame, especially in a place as distinct as this ruin.” She followed Daniel back into the passageway.
    The passage turned and Addison thought they’d moved away from the outer wall of the ruin, heading toward the center. It must have been to bring whatever was in these rooms into the main part of the ruin, without coming out into the open. It made sense, especially in the rainy season, or if what they were moving was valuable.
    “Here…look.” The passage widened, the ceiling suddenly several meters higher. Dim light filtered in. “There must be an opening up ahead.” Daniel turned off his light and she did as well. They were in a fuzzy, gray darkness, and it made her want to hurry ahead, toward the source of the light.
    “Not so fast.” Daniel set a hand on her arm as she moved past him. “You don’t know what’s ahead.”
    “There’s nothing ahead. It’s a ruin, Daniel. We’re not likely to find anyone living here.”
    “Reckless…and if I