CHAPTER 302

Marty Guitierrez was in the back of the group, trailing just behind Arby, Diego, and Baselton. Arby was complaining about the heat and the humidity, and Diego was egging him on.

"Hey, Arby? Mas?"

Arby huffed, "No mas."

It was somewhat of an inside joke between the two of them whenever things became even remotely unpleasant, as Arby was a complainer, and Diego got a kick out of it.

The group was passing by the pickup trucks with the deflated tires, and Marty was beginning to take note of them when he was snared by a strong index finger hooked into the back of his collar.

"Marty!"

Guitierrez heard Thorne's voice behind him, friendly, yet somehow troubling. Thorne spun him around, held him by the shoulders, and smiled.

"Marty Marty Marty." Thorne squeezed his shoulders more firmly.

Marty squeaked and pointed his thumb over his shoulder, "I really should-"

Thorne spoke over him, "I couldn't help but overhear you had a little mishap this morning. Missed your helicopter. So you're technically really not supposed to be here."

"Well I uh."

"I guess what I'm saying is, no one would really notice or care if you went missing, right?"

Marty's voice shook. "Why do I get the feeling you're about to kill me quietly and bury my corpse in the jungle?"

Thorne laughed, "Relax Marty. If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn't see it coming." Thorne kept a firm hold on him. "I like you. I trust you. And, I need a favor."