CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FIVE - The Smugglers’ Camp

"Now what?" Claire asked, shielding her eyes as she gazed upward. "Now we wait," Jack replied. "And hope someone sees our signal." As the day wore on, they took turns tending the fire and scanning the horizon for any sign of rescue. The sun beat down mercilessly, and their limited water supply was dwindling fast. That night, huddled once again in their makeshift shelter, Mason held Claire close, listening to the unfamiliar sounds of the jungle around them. Despite their exhaustion, sleep eluded them both. "Mason?" Claire's voice was barely a whisper in the darkness. "Yeah?" "I'm scared," she admitted. "Not just about our situation, but... about everything. What if we do get rescued? What then? I still don't know what I want to do with my life, and now, after all this..." Mason tightened his arms around her. "One step at a time, love," he said softly. "Right now, we focus on survival. When we get out of here - and we will get out of here - we'll face whatever comes next together.