"Of course. I'm okay. Come on, let's head back. Jonah and the rest must be looking for us," I said as I began to pull Jack's arm while trying to hide the worries in my eyes. But as I had expected, Jack didn't budge.

 

"Tell me the truth," he urged suddenly, his voice graver than it had been the last time he used it.

 

I swallowed down hard as I forced myself to fight back the panic that was rising inside of me. "Aki-"

 

"Are you seeing Uncle Benjie again? Is that it?" Jack asked out of the blue, which took me by surprise.

 

“Huh?” I turned to look at...