“Wyatt, no!”

Elsie’s scream registered at the same moment Wyatt felt something hard slam into his head. Blinded by the pain, he threw his arms out, tried to find someone to fight back, but darkness was already closing in. No, no, no, he could not afford to pass out right now.

“Elsie, run!” he yelled before he went to his knees, the explosion of pain echoing through his entire head. He struggled to maintain consciousness, and after a second or two managed to stand back up. In the chaos, he’d lost track of Elsie, his assailant, Willow the K-9, everyone.

Wyatt started down the trail. As he ran, he winced against the throbs of pain and held a hand to his forehead. Shiny blood streaked his palm.

Where. Was. Elsie.

That was what concerned him most. Whoever was after her was still somewhere on the island. Right now, very close to her. Pursuing her.

Unless...they’d just caught her.