Adam made a quick sketch of Cameron's estate, and I posted it on my IG story if you wanna take a look. I think he did a great job. He is amazing to me.
IG @isabelleronin

I'll add Adam's sketch in the WIL highlight on my IG profile if it's not up in my stories anymore.

Kara

The rain started pounding my windshield halfway through my drive to Cameron's estate. A furious storm shook my car as I struggled to stay on the empty roads. On the way, I spotted a few vehicles on the ditch and an ugly head-on collision accident.

The cops had closed the road, and there was only one highway to get there. The sensible thing was to turn around and head back home, but all I could think about was if Cameron was back home safe. I had to wait over an hour before they opened them again. Weaving my way around the emergency vehicles, I sent a prayer to God that no one was seriously hurt.

It was useless to keep calling Cameron. My cellphone had no signal. The storm must've damaged the cell tower. I kept trying anyway.

I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as I spotted the imposing black iron gates in front of Cameron's property. As though I was expected, they were already open.

I drove carefully on the long, winding driveway, the brights in my car barely illuminating what was in front of me. My wiper blades could not keep up with the amount of rain running on my windshield. Lightning flashed, a sharp bright zigzag in the dark sky. Suddenly the mansion appeared, looming like an enormous, mysterious shadow.

I thought I saw something move in the courtyard, but when I looked again, there was nothing. I pressed the locks again just to be sure. My heart pounded against my chest. My hands cold and clammy around the steering wheel.

I passed the mansion and glanced behind it toward the maze, but it was hard to see anything but shadows. When my tires hit gravel, I slowed down to a snail's pace.

Feeling like an unwelcome guest come to visit, the pathway here was dark—too dark. Even if the moon and the stars weren't blocked by storm clouds, the colossal trees had formed a canopy that blocked all light. It formed a tunnel of trees, insulated like a cave. It had been over a year since I was here last, and I was only going by memory.

"I can't see shit."

In the darkness the trees looked sinister. As though they were trying to make me lose my way, as though they were hiding a monster that was waiting for me.

Just turn around and go home.

"Fuck that," I shouted, trying to make myself angry. It was preferable than being shit scared.

I had to know that Cameron was safe. If a monster popped out, I'd just run it over.

What if Cameron wasn't here? What if something bad happened to him and those assholes didn't let him go?

Are you worried about me? That's nice.

His voice rang in my head. Oh, if he only knew.

What if he was hurt? What if I don't see him again? What if I really lost him? A sickening wave of terror bloomed inside my belly.

Shut the hell up! Cameron's fine. He has to be. If I see him again—no, no. Not if, but when I see him again, I won't hold back anymore. I won't be scared anymore and I'll tell him everything. But I need the chance to do that. Please, God.

Up ahead, I saw another lightning flash up the sky, the boom of thunder following it. I held my breath as I crawled my way forward, and there, there, thank you, God! the forest finally gave way to the open field. I made it out! I beat the darkness.

Feeling dizzy with relief, I let out a huge breath and sagged on my seat. I sat there for a moment, tears pricking my eyes as I looked ahead. There, in the middle of the field, was a lone light in the dark. It was the orange warm glow from his cabin.

He was home. Cameron was home.

A sense of urgency filled me inside, and I hit the gas. I sped over bumps, then screamed and braked hard when my car started sliding, spinning out, losing traction. It rocked me back and forth until it stopped.

When my heart didn't feel like it was trying to leap out of my throat, I took a deep breath.

Bish, you're still alive. Let's go.

Wearily I stepped on the gas again. The wheels whirled, roared, but didn't budge.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me."

I bit my lip hard to stop myself from screaming in frustration. I failed. "You can try and stop me all you want, but I'm not giving up!" I yelled at the storm. "Not me. Not when it comes to him. I need to know that he's okay. Let me go to him!"

In response, the wind howled furiously, as though mocking me. Provoked, I growled at it, and without much thought, jerked open the door and jumped out. I was soaked in seconds.

Fighting the slap of the rain and wind, I trudged my way to the front of my car. The ground sucked and buried my feet. The downpour had done its damage and turned everything into mud.

"No, no, no."

The front tires were trapped in the mud, dug in deep. How the hell was I going to get out of this? Miserable, I slumped against my car, shoulders sagging. I was out of breath, my hair plastered against my cheeks. But I only allowed myself a short moment of weakness.

Gritting my teeth, I scrambled back inside my car. But before I could even grip the door, I slipped.

"Damnit!"

It's just not my fucking day today, is it?

Limping, I finally made my way inside the warmth of my car. Exhausted, trembling from the cold, I leaned my head back in the seat, sucking deep breaths.

"Cam, why is it so hard to get to you?"

I eyed the distance between me and the cabin. It was a lot of distance.

I can't stay here. I have to know if he's really home. If he's okay.

I'd walk it if I had to. But first I needed to try again. Turning the ignition, I floored it, heard the tires roar, struggle, then I nearly jumped out of my skin when the driver's side door jerked open. Like an archangel sent to save me, Cameron appeared.

"What the—" My throat closed up. I looked up at him. "Cam?"

He was soaked. His piercing blue eyes burned as he scanned me from head to toe. "Are you hurt?"

My chest felt like it was going to burst.

Cameron is here.

For hours the ordeal I went through had wreaked havoc with my emotions and body. I had to keep going no matter what and had not allowed myself to be weak. But now that Cameron was here, I felt that I could be vulnerable. I could finally let go of the wheel I'd been holding in my grip so tight that I could barely unwound my fingers and let him take over. Just for a little while until I was strong again. I knew he would protect me. I knew I could count on him.

On the verge of tears, I managed to choke out, "I think I hurt my left ankle. Just a little."

"Hold on to me."

Cameron pulled me out of the car, boosting me up so I could wrap my legs around his waist, my arms around his neck. His arms, strong and solid, secured me to him. And I knew right then and there that I was safe.

Cameron was built like a powerful soldier. The rain and wind beat at us ruthlessly, but his steps were steady and strong as he trekked through the uneven terrain. He never once lost his footing. Like an animal in the jungle, he was relentless, his sole purpose to take me to safety.

"Kara," he murmured against my ear, holding me close and tight against him, "I won't let anything bad happen to you."

I buried my face in his neck and held on, even though in the protection of his arms, I really didn't need to.

A/N: Hi loves! I was planning on posting two chapters today, but I need a little more time with chapter 29. I'm going crazy over it. What happens in 29 means so much to me—quite possibly the most important chapter in WIL for me to date (or it feels like it right now, anyway. Might change my answer when I finish the whole book, but for now it feels like it is).

I'll see you next week. Get ready for the next chapter! Love, Isabelle