[after ace]

He'd gone to check in, that was all. See if she was all right, see if she could use a friend or if the detonators needed to be tweaked. Normal shit. Just saying hello.

But when it had happened enough, you just sort of knew. When people were gone, when you'd lost so many already, you just...knew.

There was her coat. Her rucksack was gone. There were the hat and umbrella. The place was cleaner than he'd ever seen it. No way Ace had done all her laundry. Jack looked around, hoping and praying he was wrong.
Not again. Not again. Not again.

He got on his knees and found the box. The things she kept. The things that were special. It was here. No nitro canisters, a little gelignite, her chemistry set-up.
No. Not Ace. Please, not Ace, too.

He forced himself calm. She'd just gone for a walk. Time alone. Off to dinosaur country. That'd explain it. No nitro...she'd keep herself safe. No rucksack...need something to carry her stuff. Left behind her jacket...too hot in the jungle.
She's gone.

He tried to stand but wound up on her bed. Sitting. Then laying. When it had happened so many times before, you just knew. The bed didn't even smell like her. Her things were here, but she was gone.
No matter where or when, I will find you. I will never leave you.

He'd told her that, and he'd meant it. His girl. His Ace.
I would turn the universe inside out to get you back.

She couldn't be gone. Not her. Not Ace.

Jack forced himself to get up. He slipped the box back under her bed, looked around, and went outside, closing the door behind him. Deep breath. Square shoulders. Straight spine. Jack marched from her hut to his, gathered his rifle and ammunition, packed a few supplies, and left Greg a hastily scrawled letter.

Gone to find Ace. Will check in in a few days. Don't worry, I'll find her.
JH

He walked into the sunshine and headed east, determined to tear the island apart.