Lando's ears suddenly tuned intently, and he noted the curious sound he was now hearing was her humming softly. Her body rocked back and forth like a small, frightened child, her eyes were opened wide as though unable to take in everything...or perhaps to see a place beyond her terror. A slight, painful groaning could be heard occasionally from the back of her throat. She probably wouldn't even notice his approach. Sighing softly, he resolved to just get it over with.
It was a damn shame; she was such a pretty little thing. Moving forward grimly, Lando hardened his heart. Not a difficult thing for him to do, really. He often wondered if it was even in there.
Christy's humming ceased abruptly as she caught Lando's movement from the corner of her eye. She glanced up carefully as he approached her, his eyes locked with hers. He heard her whimper; her straining body cuddled up closer to Sam. One by one her tears slowly began to fall.
“Please,” she begged softly to him, her breath ragged. “Don't hurt me.”
He could tell she knew what he was intending. She could probably see it in his cold, soulless black eyes, his calculating approach, and the set of his emotionless expression; it was the expression he used for his marks; it was his mask, and his shield. He knew she could tell he was going to kill her and she was completely defenseless against him. Damn! He had felt certain her mind was gone. With her sensing his intention this would prove to be more difficult.
“It won't hurt, sweetheart,” Lando soothed.
“Please don't,” she begged again, her body cringed at the sound of his deep, guttural, uncaring voice. “No please, please, I beg you.” Her eyes looked imploringly into his, eyes that now flowed with her frightened tears un-dammed. She pulled on Sam's cold body in an attempt to hide under him.
Her pitiful whispering caused Lando a moment's pause. Perhaps he should just wait until her time was closer. The cold would soon cloud her mind and she wouldn't be so fearful of him; hopefully she would once again slip into unconsciousness. He couldn't possibly take her with him. He felt certain she was too far gone, her body incapacitated, and she would only slow him down. Though small, he liked not the idea of carrying her over miles of exceedingly rough terrain for God knew how long; it could take weeks upon weeks.
Her sobbing once more captured his attention. Lando noted the poor little thing was pulling pathetically on the dead man's clothing, seeking his protection. His coat was large, and she had it wrapped almost around the both of them, trying to hide from him. An idea came to Lando. He crouched down before her violently shaking form.
“All right, sweetheart. I won't hurt you. I will trade you. Give me Sam's jacket and I will leave you alone, I promise,” Lando said quietly.
Cautiously, she peeked out from behind Sam's coat up at him. Lando knew there was nothing she could do but comply; her gaze went to the officer's gun tucked within the front of his belt. She nodded slowly up at him and reluctantly began shifting away from Sam. She looked away as Lando removed Sam's coat, placing her shaking hands over her eyes.
Once Lando had stripped the man of his jacket, he turned and left the woman alone. He felt positive now without the added protection of the coat she would more swiftly succumb.
Hopefully she would not have to suffer much longer.
Christy watched Lando's retreating back. She felt frozen, terrified. She was so tired and alone. It would be so easy to give in and go to sleep. Yet, if she were ready for death why had she begged him to spare her life? Was it just the way she was to die? Or did she want to die on her own terms? Not at the hands of a merciless monster. Her confusion was too great to ponder, and on a deeper level she sensed her physical shock and confusion. Teeth chattering, she moved slowly away from Sam's cold body, too tired and too unwilling to dwell on her thoughts. With sudden determination, she approached Howard's still form. He was the smallest of the men, and Lando had not bothered with his jacket. Christy struggled to remove it. Though she wore her own coat, it was a ‘city’ coat, as Sam had laughingly referred to it. Howard's was more suited to the extreme elements.
Cautiously, Christy peeked out a shattered window. She had to get away. She knew from looking at him Lando was completely without mercy. He had taken from her the one thing keeping her sanity from slipping. She could no longer cuddle up to Sam's protective body, which had shielded her from the harsh cold; she could no longer close her eyes and bring forth an imagined image of him waking and comforting her.
Stealthily, she exited the plane through a small, jagged hole near the lost wing, pushing her way through battered tree branches. Her body aching in protest and clutching the jacket around her tightly, Christy ran, stumbling towards a cluster of large, moss-covered rocks. Seeing a small opening at the bottom of the rocks, Christy crouched low, scooting inside, her mind vaguely worrying about wild animal inhabitants.
Thrusting the thought aside, she squirmed as far back as the small hole would allow, breathing heavily, flinching as tiny stones embedded themselves into her hands, cutting into her pants at the knees, her ankles protesting as her sneaker clad feet dug atop the ground, aiding her forward motion. Christy felt certain the large man would never be able to squeeze in to reach her. Shaking with fear and cold, Christy attempted to pull herself into the fetal position, managing somewhat in the tight enclosure. Her body strained from the exertion, and mentally and physically exhausted, she fell into a fitful sleep.
After gathering all items he felt useful, Lando had sat down to wait. He had taken a piece of metal that had broken free from the plane and, using a hand-sized rock, he had pounded it as best as he could into the shape of a crude, serviceable bowl. Hopefully he would come across water he could boil. He had started a fire with the officer's lighter. Thank heaven the man had been a nervous smoker. Unfortunately, Sam's cell phone had been broken on impact, as it had been on his belt when he had been crushed. Christy seemed not to possess one. Lando shoved both flashlights he had found into the duffel bag.
He tossed Christy's camera, though used the case to hold her sewing kit and a small first-aid kit. Not much was to be had. Both he and the officer had come without even a change of clothes. Thankfully a small amount of extra clothing had been at the tiny cabin they had gone to, although they had left them behind when they had departed. He had stripped the deceased officer of most of his attire, as both men were close to the same height and weight. They hadn't had much time to prepare for their hasty departure.
They had wanted to get him as far away as fast as possible, and keep him safely away. Oh no, they couldn't give up their only chance at finally nabbing his notorious boss. A powerhouse of a man who had eluded them for decades.
Lando's thoughts reflected back to the evening before. He hadn't been in the least bit surprised when the cop had informed him their cover had been compromised and their need to move immediately was imperative. Their flight from the safe house had been fast and furious in the dead of night's cover. So fast and furious they had blown a front tire, damaged the radiator, and cracked the axle.
They had been lucky to come across Howard and the tiny airstrip after numerous anxious filled hours of walking a somewhat overgrown road. Howard hadn't brought them in originally, and the cop had fast peddled, telling lie after lie, to swing a ride from the reluctant man. Their own return flight had been grounded from home base by mysterious circumstances; an alternate route hurriedly mapped out and traversed. They had thought themselves to be safe once aboard the plane. Lando shook his head at the irony of his situation.
He gazed about himself for a brief moment, thinking at least there was an upside to this dilemma—his ex boss couldn't possibly find him when he had no inkling of where he was himself!
Lando looked over the meager items before him once more; he figured he might be able to use the floss for traps for small game. Christy's socks would prove useful as mittens if he were to slit small holes for his thumbs and baby fingers. Tylenol and a few mints, some hair elastics and a few razors, a flare gun. Checking his watch, Lando arose gri
mly; he realized he had been stalling. There was not much light left in the day and he needed to get moving. He had waited long enough. He couldn't leave the poor, helpless little thing and he couldn't take her with him.
Whether or not she pleaded with him, he would not leave her to die in such a torturously slow, brutal fashion. He would hold her closely while easing her fears and sharing his warmth. He would talk calmly and rationally, urging her to remember a warm, safe place, and once she calmed to the point of relaxation, he would physically end her misery. He couldn't afford to put a bullet in her; he would need them for hunting.
Quietly, Lando entered the plane. If he were a praying man he would have prayed she had already given in. He felt sickened with himself at what he was about to do; however, he had been party to a few mercy killings. He only hoped if ever he were to be in the same situation, someone would show him a shred of humanity, not that he felt he deserved it.
Lando stopped short when he realized the girl was gone. How she had slipped by him undetected was a mystery; he was amazed she could even walk. Most likely it had been while he was banging on the metal; he had created quite a racket. Apparently she wasn't as injured or addled as he had assumed. More than likely she had just wandered off in a dazed and confused, lost stupor.
“Well, I guess assuming really does make an ass out of you and me,” Lando muttered. This was an inconvenience. His gaze shifted to his warm, beckoning fire absently. For a moment he stood quietly thinking. Why should he bother? She meant nothing to him. With irritation, he knew instinctively that not knowing what had befallen her would drive him nuts for the rest of his life. Damn curiosity being part of human nature! Now he would have to go look for her.
Upon exiting the plane, Lando glanced around, searching the distance. She couldn't have gone far. She was weak and exhausted. He had been certain shock had set in. Her frame of mind was still up for question. He remembered she had been hungry. Spying small footprints on the opposite side of the plane, Lando followed them, certain he would come across her still form lying helplessly amidst the foliage. He hoped that was the case. He would then gently return her to Sam's side and be off. His confusion intensified as he came to a cluster of rocks.
Kneeling on sticks and dead leaves, Lando crouched down to peer into the small, cave-like hole. Just barely he could make out her still form pressed against the stone. He listened intently and could hear her quiet breathing. Lando slumped himself down. Damn! He was too big to crawl in after her. She was too far back to reach in and grab.
He looked to the sky and again checked his watch. Only a few hours of daylight remained. He didn't want to leave her while she still breathed, but what else could he do? They had flown way off course, perhaps hundreds of miles farther north. No one would be looking for them out here. It might take days for the elements to kill her if she were semi-mobile. If a wild animal were to stumble upon her she would be ripped to shreds. It would indeed be a slow, agonizing death.
“Please.”
The whimpered, agonized plea reached his ears. Keenly, Lando listened.
“Please don't leave me,” the softly pleading voice called out. Her throat was raw and raspy, and he remembered her screams of terror aboard the plane.
“Come out, sweetheart. I'll sit with you,” Lando coaxed gently. He saw her tiny body jump as though he had awoken her from her dreams. Her wild eyes focused on him and he sensed her overwhelming panic.
“Please no, don't hurt me,” she wept.
Lando could see her pressing herself back as far as the cold stone of the cave would allow. She was whimpering pitifully.
“Come out and let me end your suffering, sweetheart,” Lando said sympathetically. His heart near ached for her. Lando had listened as a great many men begged him for mercy. He never remembered anyone getting under his skin as she was. It was almost unnerving.
Christy was sobbing hysterically. Her breath came in ragged, choking gasps. “You...you prom...promised. You...you have...have the...the jacket.”
Lando exhaled a loud breath. He had promised. With resolve, he rose to his feet. At least his curiosity had been satisfied, he knew where she was. Stupidly, he pulled a chocolate bar from within his jacket. Hopefully she would be dead by morning, but he wouldn't kill her. He dropped the food at the front of the cave. He knew he should save it. He could use it. She was struggling so hard for her last few hours he would generously offer her this small mercy.
Lando made his way back to the fire. He would leave tomorrow, after she had died. It just did not seem feasible that she would survive the cold night. At least tucked safely in the small crevice-like cave, he doubted a wild animal would get her.
* * * *
Christy awoke slowly. Her own body heat within the tight proximity was enough to keep her from freezing to death, just barely. Her muscles screamed in agony when she moved painstakingly from her little safe haven. Her head emerged to peek about the clear, bright morning. She found the food the man had mistakenly dropped on the ground and ate it quickly, choking it down her agonized throat, the whole while wondering if he would come back in search of it. She emerged cautiously from her hiding place, fearful he would grab her at any second.
Stiffly, Christy approached the plane, her movements exaggerated from pain, her feet barely making any distinguishable sound as she took each step painstakingly. Her eyes dancing fearfully around, she caught sight of her large tormentor. She ducked when she noted him standing quietly, as if listening intently. He began stomping out his fire. Hidden behind a huge tree, she watched as the man carefully slung her own duffel bag to his broad shoulder. He seemed to glance about carefully and Christy held her breath. After a moment, he moved off slowly into the woods. She watched silently as he disappeared completely from her sight.
Christy ventured forth and stuck her hands into the hot, dead ashes, hardly noticing their warmth, she was so terribly cold. She whimpered as she glanced around. She was again completely alone. Her frantic, darting eyes settled on the ground before her, resting on a small package.
With hesitant excitement, Christy reached out her dirty, soot-covered hand and then snapped up the small bag of opened peanuts lying on the ground. Lando had again been careless. Dumping the entire contents into her eager mouth, Christy rose. She knew instinctively there would be nothing left in the plane. Most assuredly he had found everything down to used gum or lint-covered mints left under the seats. She also realized she could not look again at Sam's cold, lifeless body. He was the first person she had allowed her defenses to drop with since her ex-boyfriend. They had become close over this last week. She knew painfully if her ex-boyfriend, Chad, had been here he would be haranguing her on how useless she was. Christy looked at the crumpled plane. Only death was there.
Her eyes darted with trepidation at the dense foliage surrounding her, engulfing her, taunting her with its devious malevolence. Where should she go? She couldn't stay alone with three dead bodies that would soon decompose, drawing animals, deadly animals, to their scent... to her. What should she do? Which direction should she take? What if she wandered farther into nothingness? She was so alone, there was no one... There was someone... She was not in fact completely alone; there was another living breathing soul, a distant oasis that could stay at arm's length. After a brief moment of indecisive hesitation, she slowly began walking after Lando. He wouldn't think she would be foolish enough to trail him. Maybe he would again get careless and drop more food.
Lando had been aware of Christy's movements as she had approached the plane. He had unobtrusively watched as she dropped down to hide from him. He was amazed she still lived. He had seen the bruising on her hands, neck, and face. He suspected she sported broken bones from the painful way she favored areas of her body. Still, she persevered. He had promised not to hurt her, but realized he had made the promise under false pretenses. Besides, he was more than able to kill without causing someone great pain. Perhaps he was just being cowardly.
Grudgingly, he admitt
ed to himself that was, in fact, true. He didn't want to take her life, and he was annoyed with her for placing him in this position. When he had seen she had survived the night, he almost felt like cheering. She was tougher than she looked; he had to give her credit. Still, he was faced with the dilemma of what to do with her.
When the package of nuts fell to the ground, Lando almost picked them up, and then decided against it. Let her have them, a voice came loudly to mind. In his profession he was used to listening to gut feelings. Why not? Being of a skillful professional when it came to survival in human nature, he knew she would trail him. Frightening or not, he was still the only other human out here. She didn't have much choice.
He would start out slowly. It would not take long for her to fall from exhaustion. When she did, he could then end her suffering. Feeling resolved, Lando set out at a steady pace, making sure she was following him. He lagged occasionally when she fell too far behind, and made a grand show of coughing or yawning tiredly and rubbing at closed eyes when she almost stumbled upon him by accident.
They trudged slowly on for hours through the dense foliage, but this time when Lando stopped to allow Christy time to catch up with him, she didn't. He was unable to detect her lumbering, slow approach and soon realized she was no longer following him. Feeling her time was now imminent, Lando carefully backtracked and came across her huddled form in a small clearing. She was weeping softly. Her body rocked with the intensity of her despair.
“You were right.” He heard her ragged breath cry out hopelessly to the gentle current of wind, as though it would take a message to its destination. “I am useless. Wouldn't you be laughing now if you could see me like this?”
Love's Dangerous Territory Page 3