Ford was hobbling to his room to get the map out of his possessions, mentally cursing and wondering how much he could memorize from it in case Trace decided to destroy what had become his most prized possession.
Of course, if all went well, it wouldn't be his most prized possession for long. Whatever precious treasures he found in the cave would be.
He dug the map out of his bag and ran his eyes over it, trying to memorize the intertwining system of canyons, and then the cave itself as much as he could. If he delayed too long, he knew they would come looking for him, so he left his room with a heavy sigh to rejoin the men.
As he exited the doorway, however, a fleeing figure crashed into him.
The tumble was far quieter than it should have been, leaving Ford sucking in a nearly-silent breath of pain.
Mia was sprawled across him, their limbs entangled.
