I left the cabin ahead of Phoenix, my fingers working through the mess of my hair and not making much progress. He followed behind me with a smug expression he was not attempting to hide, his hair still dishevelled and his skin still flushed. I chose not to comment on either of those things.
His hand found the small of my back and gave a gentle push to the right. I looked at him questioningly and he mouthed go. I turned and the relief that flooded through me was instant and complete.
"Miley! Maisie!"
They turned just in time and I was already moving toward them. They caught me between them and the three of us held on for a long moment, laughing through the tears that came whether we planned for them to or not. I pulled back to look at them properly. They were exhausted in a way that showed in every part of their faces, their eyes hollowed and their posture carrying the weight of weeks of fear.
"I am so sorry," I said, my voice breaking. "I am so sorry I left you here."
