Th lady who found love

Previously

…He grabbed a heavy-duty flashlight from the dashboard, his knuckles white. “Stay here, Mai. And stay quiet.” Before she could protest, he was out of the vehicle, disappearing into the thicket with a surprising swiftness. Mai watched, her breath held captive in her chest, the silence now amplified by a primal fear. The adventure had taken a sharp, terrifying turn, and she was no longer just a librarian seeking excitement; she was caught in a dangerous game with stakes she was only beginning to comprehend. The map in her pocket suddenly felt less like a promise of discovery and more like a target painted on her back.