Mason lost his footing on the steep ground and slid down the embankment in front of the mouth of the cave. He held his breath and tried to make himself as small as he could manage, digging his heels in to slow his fall. Anything that would help him avoid detection.
If that was even possible.
He didn't realize until his body came to a stop that he had closed his eyes at some point on his way down. Taking a breath and mentally preparing himself for whatever might be waiting, he slowly opened them again.
The wind coming off the ocean rushed up the almost bare side of the mountain, stronger here than down below. It whipped Mason's golden waves into his eyes, but that couldn't stop him from seeing what was in front of him.
