Page 124 of Depths of Destruction
A shot is fired. Naomi screams and shudders in my arms. The door opens and light filters into the room.
My eyes take a few seconds to adjust, but I pick up Naomi and carry her outside.
The helicopter is right over our heads. The wind from the spinning blades is strong, and dirt blows everywhere.
Kalim points to the dropped pulley.
We move quickly. I set Naomi down. "Go with Kalim," I yell.
She pulls away from me. I see her for the first time since our abduction and swallow down the bile rising in my throat.
Blood covers her. Her skin has bruises and scrapes and dirt everywhere. Scratches cover her face. The front of her shirt hangs in two pieces, only remaining on her body by the sleeves. Her blue eyes, usually bright even in non-ideal situations, are full of fear.
"Lòpez," Kalim barks and pulls me out of my trance. He hands me a harness and hooks his to the rope.
I put the harness around Naomi and attach Kalim's to hers. She grips my shoulders. "Andre, don't leave me."
I blink hard as dirt blows in my eyes from the copter. "Go with Kalim. I'm behind you."
Tears fall. "No. Please," she cries out like a wounded animal and grips me tighter.
"Lòpez, we have to go," Kalim yells again.
It takes both Kalim and me to get Naomi in a position so they can be lifted. The entire time she wails and tries to get Kalim to release her, but he holds her tight to him.
I run to the truck and push past the dead bodies in hopes of finding my backpack, but it isn't there.
Double screwed to get out of this next situation.
By the time I get back, the harness lowers. I secure myself and am soon in the helicopter. Naomi is screaming so loud, I can hear her through the chaos, and when I get inside the aircraft, Kalim is holding her down.
The door shuts.
"Let her go," I say.
He releases her, and I pull her into my arms and in my lap.
She's shaking and sobbing so loudly, I blink hard to hold back tears of my own.
I try to comfort her as Kalim stares at me with wide eyes.
When Naomi finally settles, she falls asleep in my arms. I turn to Kalim.
"How many did you take out?"
"There were only six."
Only six.
"Santiago Gómez?"
Naomi shudders in my arms.
Maybe she isn't asleep.
Kalim shakes his head.
"He's mine," I growl.
