Beyond Reach, page 6
part #3 of True Calling Series
“Let me ask you a question. Do you trust them?”
I don’t hesitate in my reply. “Not particularly.”
“Smart,” he says, gripping the cell bars. “There’s a lot of weird stuff going on in that compound.”
Icy tremors rip up and down my spine. “What kind of weird stuff?”
“No offense, doll, but that’s not something I’m willing to share. I’d prefer to live a long and happy life if it’s all the same to you.”
“You can’t just throw out vague allegations and then say nothing else!”
“That’s the good thing about being a fugitive like me. I can do what the hell I like, and I’m not answerable to anyone.” Stepping away from the bars, he stands with his legs stretched out wide. His stance matches his grin.
“Sure looks like that’s working out well for you,” I say, piercing him with a scornful look.
“All part of my plan, doll.” Tapping the side of his nose, he smirks again.
“Stop calling me that. It’s irritating.” He laughs, a deep full-bellied laugh, and I scowl. “Whatever.” Sitting back down on the bench, I turn my back to him.
“Come on, doll-face, don’t you want to be friends?” he snickers.
Ew, sleazy. I’m seriously wondering what they’re putting in the water around these parts. Between him and the weird old couple in the truck, this has been the strangest few hours of my life.
“Ari!”
Ah, crap. “Hi, Zane.”
“Where the hell are you?”
“Don’t freak out. I’m okay.” There’s worrying silence, and I just know he’s taking in my surroundings. This is about to get a whole lot crazier.
“You’re in a frigging cell, Ari! What did you do?”
“I knew you wouldn’t understand. But there isn’t any other option. I can’t let anything happen to Mom, Lily, or Cal because I refused to turn myself in.”
“There are always alternative options, Ari, always. And we hadn’t even begun to flesh out your idea.”
I snort, for the second time in as many minutes. I hear chuckling behind me. “Come on, Zane, I know my idea sucked.”
“It’s not without its challenges, but it has some merit. I can’t believe you’ve done this, Ari. What in the hell were you thinking?!”
“I was thinking of saving the others!” Anger lingers under the surface of my skin.
“I know how difficult this has been for you. But handing yourself over isn’t the solution. You should have come to me; we could have discussed it.”
“You would have talked me out of it.”
“Exactly!”
“It’s done now. You’ll just have to deal with it, Zane.”
“I’m not going to lose you again, Ari. I couldn’t bear it.”
His words are sobering, and the anger quickly fades, replaced by the usual pang of guilt. “I’m sorry, Zane. But I can’t just sit around and do nothing while the others are at risk. Because that’s supremely selfish, and I don’t want to be that person.”
“Protecting yourself isn’t selfish, Ari; it’s survival one-oh-one. What about Deacon? And do you think your mom would want you to do this?”
“She told me to think about what my father would do! He wouldn’t stop until he had rescued his family. He wouldn’t sit idly by.”
“No, he wouldn’t. But he also wouldn’t rush into a foolhardy plan without any thought for his own safety. He would strategize the best way out of the situation. That’s what your father would do.”
And then it hits me: Zane is right. If my father were here, he would totally think things through and come up with a viable plan. That’s what Mom meant; she was actually warning me not to do anything foolish, and I just reacted the completely opposite way. I’m such an idiot! I smash the palm of my hand into my forehead.
“I’m going to get you out of there. Where exactly are you?”
“I’m in Stafford Ranger Station. But it’s like Fort Knox in here. There isn’t anything you can do to stop this.
“The hell there isn’t. Just hang tight, and if anything changes in the meantime, let me know. Okay?”
“Okay.” I concede easily, a heavy weariness overtaking me, a combination of exhaustion, and helplessness. And Zane—usually a role model for staying calm under pressure—has said ‘hell’ three times in the space of five minutes.
I spend the rest of the day flitting between bouts of uncomfortable sleep, anxiously pacing my cell, and attempting to deflect Jax’s relentless efforts to engage me in mindless, incessant chatter. A dull pounding takes up residence in my skull, and I increase my efforts to block him out. Though, I have to admit that he’s kind of oddly endearing, in a really annoying way.
As day turns to night, I fear that I’ll die of boredom before they decide to do anything with me. Lying down on my side, I wrap my arms around my frozen body.
A sharp tingling jolts me from slumber. Immediately alert, my sixth sense is prickling in anticipation. My ears perk up at the sound of approaching footsteps. I rise stiffly, twisting my head from side to side. A different Ranger appears in front of my cell, keys in hand. “You’re coming with me.”
As he takes the key from his pocket, a low-level rumbling sound echoes overhead. Instinctively raising my eyes, I stare at the stark ceiling. An ear-piercing noise assaults my eardrums, and I hear a loud crash, followed by the unmistakeable sound of glass shattering and splintering into a million tiny pieces.
CHAPTER 5
The Ranger whirls to the left, as the sound of raised voices reverberates in the corridor. Dropping the keys, he takes off running. I strain forward, trying to peer out through the bars of my cell to see what the hell is going on.
“Can you reach them, doll?” Jax asks, pointing at the keys lying on the floor in front of my cell.
Crouching down, I force my hand through the narrow bar and ignore the sharp pinch where the metal scratches my skin. I stretch my fingers out as far as they will go, and my fingertips brush the edges of the keys. I thrust my shoulder forward until it’s smashed tight against the bars and extend my hand further. Grasping the keys with the edge of my fingers, I slide them toward me. A thunderous pounding on the entry point doors momentarily distracts me. The doors rattle and shake, straining inward.
“Ari! Be ready, we’ll have to be quick.”
I’m trembling as I pull my hand back in through the bars, yelping as my skin scrapes along the rough edge of the cell, drawing blood. I stand up straight and squeeze my hand around to the front of the lock. The gap is slightly wider here, so I don’t pick up any further injuries.
“Steady your hand,” Jax coaches me. “You don’t want to drop them.”
Drawing a deep breath, I compose my nerves and position the key in place. But my aim is off, and the key careens off the side bar instead of hitting its mark. It takes three more attempts before I hit the bull’s-eye. I turn the key counter-clockwise, ignoring the sharp pain that shoots up my arm. The cell door opens just as the front entry doors are breached. I run to Jax’s cell and shove the key in the lock, twisting it quickly. A loud overhead explosion knocks us to the ground. I feel the weight of Jax’s body on top of me as bits of plaster and other debris rain all around us. A thick, heavy layer of dust permeates the air.
Jax helps me up, coughing loudly. Then strong arms tug me back against a solid chest. “Are you hurt?” Zane asks.
“No, I think I’m okay.” Though it’s hard to decipher anything in the dust cloud. My heart rate spikes painfully as I hear the sound of harried footsteps approaching. Pulling out of Zane’s embrace, I swivel around.
“Zane?” Ben yells. Materializing in front of me, he grabs me into his rough embrace. “I thought I told you not to pull any stupid stunts?”
“Can we save the lecture? Agent Leena says we need to go now,” Zane says, holding his fingers to a small metal gadget affixed to his ear. Grabbing my hand, he propels me forward. Ben and Jax follow at my heels.
We push out into the stairwell and pick our way over the layer of debris coating the floor. Peering over the edge of the railing, I see evidence of further destruction stretching the full length of the building. “What happened?” I ask, confused.
“Commander De Luca is in a stealth-craft overhead. He blasted the building with a low-level incendiary bolt to act as a diversion. He’s drawing some of the Rangers away so that we can escape on foot,” Zane says, thrusting a gun into my hand and offering a smaller one to Jax. “Be careful, it’s unlocked,” he adds.
“I know how to handle a gun, Zane.” My lips tighten into thin lines, and Jax chuckles. Zane grins as he starts descending the stairs. A shot whizzes past my head, and we all instinctively drop to the floor. Visibility is still somewhat poor, but I can just make out a couple of shapes approaching. Raising my hand, I fire indiscriminately, intending it as a warning rather than a deliberate attempt to kill. But one of the bodies falls to the ground, and I have to swallow the lump in my throat.
The sound of additional footsteps in front of us sends a fresh dart of panic through me. A shot is fired, and the second body slumps backward. “Come on, we’re running out of time,” Agent Leena yells out. My chest droops in relief. Picking ourselves up, we race downstairs, encountering no further obstacles until we reach the stairwell for the first level.
Three armed Rangers stand between us and the last set of stairs, effectively blocking our advance. “Drop your weapons now,” one of them says, pointing his gun directly at us. Agent Leena and I exchange looks. She arches her eyebrows and pins me with a knowing look, and I understand the silent message. Pretending to place my gun on the ground, I crouch down, lunge forward, and grab one of the Rangers by the ankle. Agent Leena swings into action at the same time, taking similar hold of a second Ranger. As the two men stumble backward, they lose their hold on their weapons, and the guns clatter noisily to the ground. A shot rings out, and it feels like my heart is exploding in my chest. Scuffling sounds resonate behind me. But there’s no time to check it out, as the Ranger on the stairs is already pulling himself upright, a hand stretched out toward his gun. Jumping forward, I kick the gun out of his grasp and twist around, swinging my leg out in front of him. I plant it firmly in the center of his chest, and he tumbles backward, falling all the way down the stairs until he face plants on the floor at the bottom. He lies motionless on the ground. I turn around and see Agent Leena grappling with another Ranger, while Jax and Zane hold the third at gunpoint. I shove my gun into the Ranger’s back and he stiffens immediately, loosening his hand from Agent Leena’s neck. She swiftly disarms him and hauls him up to where Jax is holding the other Ranger.
It’s only then that I notice Ben, stuck tightly to the side of the wall, open-mouthed and terror struck. Blood seeps from an open wound in his shoulder, and his arms are folded firmly around his chest. While Agent Leena and Jax tie up the two Rangers, I move over toward Ben, careful not to startle him. “Ben? It’s okay. Come on.” I tentatively reach out for him and pry his rigid arms free. Clasping his hand in mine, I join the others as we descend the last set of stairs, dragging him alongside me.
The entry lobby looks like something from a battle zone. Mounds of plaster, brick, and other debris litter the space, and several bodies lie inert on the floor. There’s a massive hole in the middle of the floor, and an expanding fire blazes in one corner of the room. Dense plumes of smoke shroud the air. Flames lick the walls and severe heat envelops me. Sweat beads instantly form on my skin, and my clothing sticks to my clammy body.
“Damn. You guys sure know how to rock a rescue. This place is going down fast,” Jax says, a look of awe on his face as he surveys the scene.
“Quick, everyone out now,” Agent Leena says, grabbing my arm and thrusting me forward. We race outside. The temptation to stop and soak up the clean, fresh air is almost overwhelming, but I know that the cavalry are most likely already on their way, and it’s a luxury we can’t afford right now. I make a mental apology to my lungs.
Agent Leena and Jax are in a hushed conversation ahead of us. “Follow me,” he calls out, darting suddenly into a small alleyway on the right. I’m trailing slightly behind, struggling to manage Ben as he sways dangerously at my side. Zane drops back, gripping Ben across the back and helping me tug him forward.
As we round the next corner, a shot rings out behind me, ricocheting off the wall, narrowly missing me. “Holy crap! They’re behind us,” I shout out. Jax and Agent Leena fall back as I release Ben and position myself at the edge of the wall. “Can you help Zane with Ben, and Jax and I will hold them off,” I tell Agent Leena. Nodding, she wraps her arm around Ben. Zane’s face contorts inward. “I can handle myself, go. We’ll be right behind you.” His expression is still pained, but he subtly nods and continues forward.
“This is nice and cozy, doll,” Jax says, bending down beside me, his body flush against mine. He’s positioned himself at the very corner, effectively sheltering me.
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Focus, please,” I chastise him.
His head whips around, and I gasp. A shot whirrs by us as he pulls back in. “There’s just two of them. We can easily manage this.”
My mouth is hanging open. “Do you have a death wish or something?”
“No more than you, doll.” He grins as I shake my head. Twisting around, I scout for something to hide behind.
“There,” I whisper, pointing to a grotty-looking dumpster a few yards behind us. We hop up and sprint toward it, taking a corner each. “I’ll aim left; you take the one at the right,” I say. He salutes me with his hand, and my eyes roll heaven-bound of their own accord.
The Rangers are easy targets as they cautiously round the corner. I inhale and then exhale slowly as I fire the round. My aim is bang-on, and the Ranger falls to the ground in a crumpled heap. Jax has adequately dealt with his buddy. It’s never easy to take a life, and I know it won’t sit well with me later, but there’s no time to dwell on it now. We both take off running without delay.
The others are already seated when we reach the Humvee. Agent Leena is in the driver seat and the engine is running. Zane opens the door and reaches out for me. I turn to face Jax. “Are you coming with us?”
“Nope. I’ll take my chances,” he says, grinning like a madman. “See you around, doll.” He tousles my hair before darting forward out of sight. I take Zane’s hand and haul ass into the back seat. Agent Leena floors the accelerator, and we’re suddenly zooming through the streets at huge speed.
Ben is slumped against the side of the vehicle, his fingers clutched to his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Ben,” I admit, full of remorse and guilt. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t taken off like the damned idiot that I am.
“It’s not your fault, Ariana, you didn’t shoot me. Agent Leena took a look at it while we were waiting for you. The bullet only grazed my skin, so it looks worse than it is. I’ll be fine,” Ben says, cupping my cheek.
“Thanks for coming to get me,” I say quietly, and somewhat sheepishly. Agent Leena’s eyes lock on mine through the mirror. Her gaze is compassionate, understanding even.
Zane rests his forehead against mine and exhales loudly. “You scared the crap out of me, Ari. Don’t ever do that again.”
Leaning back against the headrest, I close my eyes and shake my head. “I didn’t do it to upset you. I thought I was making the right decision.”
He takes my hand, and I feel something soft pressing down on my skin. My eyes flash open. “I know your intentions were honorable, but they would never have let the others go, Ari. It wouldn’t have achieved anything.” His fingers are wrapped around a piece of cloth, and he dabs my skin gently. The material turns a pinkish-red color.
“Perhaps you’re right. We’ll never know.” I sigh. I extract my hand and inspect my blood-stained skin. Despite the stinging sensation on the back of my hand, I had forgotten the small injury I’d picked up back in the cell. I can see grit and other debris embedded in the skin, but it doesn’t look serious. I think I’ll live.
“We will find a way to get them back, Ari, I promise. But we’re in this together. No more flying solo, agreed?” I nod my head. “Say it.”
I pin him with a look. “What? Are we, like, five or something?”
His lips curl up in amusement. “You need to promise out loud.”
I roll my eyes to the heavens. “I promise. We’re in this together.”
We are all whisked to the hospital the minute we arrive back at the compound. A nurse cleans and dresses the cut on my hand before releasing me. I’m expecting a summons to Central Control for an ear-bashing, but surprisingly the call never comes. So, I head back to my apartment and take an ear-bashing from Mel instead. Thankfully, she had the good sense to hide my ill-conceived decision from Deacon, so he’s fast asleep and none the wiser.
When Ben arrives an hour later, I’m delighted to see him up and about so soon. His shoulder is strapped up, but he assures me he’s totally fine. When he lectures me—gently chastising me for my foolish actions—I take it on the chin. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he retrieves a plain, white envelope and hands it to me. I rip it open enthusiastically. Once I see what’s inside, I drop it, as if electrocuted. Water glistens in my eyes. “Mel mentioned you had no pictures of Cal, I thought you’d be pleased?”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I brush my tears away with the back of my hand. “I am Ben, it’s just … hard, you know?”
Cal has barely been out of my thoughts these last few days. During Mom and Lily’s message, there was no mention of him, and I can’t help wondering why. Is it because he isn’t in any danger? Never has been? Or is it because he’s already been taken care of? And as much as I don’t want him to be guilty of deliberately deceiving me, it’s preferable than thinking the alternative—that he was innocent, and they’ve already killed him for it. Tears well in my eyes, and I clutch the envelope to my chest.
“I miss him so much, Ben. It feels like I’ve lost a part of me, but my faith in him has been rocked. I don’t know what to think anymore. When we met the President at the ‘Amor Regale’ in Illumina, they both pretended they’d never met. Why would they do that when they were clearly already acquainted?”
