Mission

by Amy Andrews

  ‘Uh-huh,’ confirmed Richard. ‘It’s only temporary, Holly. It’s not going to last. But at least we have a reprieve and some breathing space.’ He was trying to be exuberant about it but she smelt fantastic and looked fresh and clean from the shower and he just wanted to crawl into a bed beside her and sleep for ever. The adrenaline surge that had buzzed through his system as he had ministered to Fumradi under John’s eagle gaze had left him depleted and washed out.

  ‘I know but…who would have thought he’d have rallied that well?’

  ‘Well, he’s got youth on his side. But he’s still really weak, don’t be fooled.’

  A brief knock interrupted their conversation and the door opened.

  ‘You have done well, Sergeant,’ said John. ‘Fumradi feels much better.’

  Richard nodded. ‘Good. Then I demand that you let us leave. You gave me your word you would release us when Fumradi was cured. I demand you keep it.’

  ‘It is dark, Sergeant,’ said Fumradi, smiling at his captive’s audacity. ‘If our brave leader continues to be well in the morning then I will keep my word. You will be freed.’

  ‘I don’t mind a midnight stroll,’ said Richard.

  ‘Be that as it may. Morning will be plenty soon enough. I ask that you remain in your room. I will be staying with him for the next couple of hours. I will let you know when I leave and ask you to check regularly on him after that. I wish to hear immediately if there is a change in his condition.’

  John left without a backward glance. They stared at each other for a few seconds. Holly noted how tired Richard looked and guessed donating half a litre of blood hadn’t helped.

  ‘We don’t have much time,’ he said to her, leading her over to the two single beds and sitting on the edge of one. ‘We need to talk about escape plans. I don’t know how long Fumradi will last.’ At least it would keep his mind off how fantastic she smelt.

  She sat on the other bed and their knees almost touched across the small distance between them. He ran through everything he could think of about the plan. They would wait until everyone had settled for the night, providing Fumradi lasted that long and leave when the camp was quiet. That would hopefully buy them a few hours before they were discovered to be missing.

  ‘What about Tundol?’ she asked.

  ‘If he comes quietly. But if he protests, we’re going to have to leave him. We can’t afford to have him alert the rest of the camp.’

  Holly knew Richard was being sensible. But she also knew her conscience just wouldn’t allow her to leave the boy behind.

  ‘He’ll come. I know he will,’ she said vehemently.

  They strategised for the next couple of hours while the noises from the camp outside indicated a celebration was going on. They could hear drums and a beautifully haunting instrument similar to wooden pipes echoing through the camp. Delicious aromas wafted up to meet them. Laughter and sounds of frivolity drifted their way.

  She concentrated hard on what Richard was saying. He talked about their journey and the danger areas that the encampments posed and how to avoid them and the effort it would take to get out of this alive. He impressed on her his need for total trust and total obedience, and she swallowed her indignation and nodded her assent.

  John came into their room and Holly started guiltily. Not Richard. His face remained impassive. Holly decided never to play poker with him. The man was good.

  ‘Fumradi is tired. He wishes to sleep.’

  Holly glanced at Richard. Obviously the rally was starting to wane.

  ‘I trust you to check on him. I am joining the celebrations.’

  ‘Sure,’ said Richard. They couldn’t make their move until after the celebrations had finished anyway. It would be important to know when Fumradi died. It could be the deciding factor in them leaving earlier.

  ‘We’d better try and rest,’ said Richard. ‘There’s no telling when we’ll next get the chance.’

  Holly felt her heart hammering in her chest as she reclined on the narrow bed. What they were about to do was dangerous. They could be shot and their chance over very quickly. But she knew she’d rather die running with Richard by her side than sit around and wait for Fumradi to die and be summarily shot.

  A little while later a woman entered and brought them a huge pile of food in a couple of wooden bowls. They ate greedily aware that they would need plenty of energy for the night ahead.

  Richard and Holly dozed on and off over the next few hours. It wasn’t the hardest thing to do, considering their strenuous activity to get to the top camp. Even with a mind racing with what-ifs and the noise from outside, Holly managed to drift off, her tired body overruling her overactive brain.

  Richard roused each hour and checked on the rebel leader. After a couple of hours it was fairly evident to him that Fumradi wasn’t merely resting but had lapsed into unconsciousness again. He gave him a firm sternal rub and elicited no response. His pulse was weak and thready and his peripheral circulation was non-existent. They were running out of time.

  He took some time to study the camp from the open window above Fumradi’s bed and planned their escape route while the party continued to rage. The fire was burning brightly and as he scanned the area he noticed Tundol asleep on the ground under one of the treetop dwellings, despite the noise. He lay on an old sack and the only thing Richard could tell that was good about his sleeping spot was its proximity to the fire. Would the boy come with them?

  He checked on Fumradi around midnight. The party was all but over. Richard could just see a few stragglers making their way home. They seemed to weave a bit and Richard was cheered by the thought that the whole camp may have indulged in a little too much of whatever alcoholic beverage rebels drank.

  He left the window and stood looking down at the rebel leader. Was his chest moving? The door opened. It was John.

  ‘How is he?’ he asked.

  Richard noticed John’s unsteadiness. Dead, I think. ‘He’s sleeping peacefully,’ said Richard, and hoped he sounded convincing.

  John nodded. ‘Well done, Sergeant. Get some sleep. Tomorrow you will be set free.’ John turned and walked unsteadily out.

  Richard waited until the door shut and quickly checked Fumradi’s pulse. Nothing. He was dead.

  He picked up his pack. They had to get out of here. Now.

  CHAPTER NINE

  HOLLY woke with a start when Richard shook her shoulder.

  ‘What?’ she whispered, disorientated.

  ‘Fumradi is dead.’

  The fuzziness cleared from Holly’s mind immediately. ‘Oh.’

  ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘We have to leave. Are you ready?’

  Holly jumped up, her heart starting to race as adrenaline surged through her system in preparation for their flight. She was as ready as she’d ever be.

  Richard was fussing with their blankets and she wondered why he was wasting precious time. ‘What are you doing?’ she whispered.

  ‘Trying to make body-shaped bundles in the beds in case someone checks on us.’

  OK. That was smart. She helped him and stood back a couple of minutes later to admire their handiwork. It would do at a quick glance.

  ‘What now?’ she asked.

  ‘Follow me. Step where I step. Stop when I tell you. Go when I say go and run when I say run. OK?’

  She hesitated, suddenly feeling the enormity of what they were going to do. Would it be OK? He looked at her questioningly. She took a deep breath, nodded decisively and smiled at him. He was with her. Of course it would be OK.

  They moved quietly through the silent house. Richard led her to a window he had passed earlier that backed onto the jungle. He indicated he was going out first and she was to follow him.

  Being the back of the house, it was also closer to the ground so there wasn’t much of a drop. Richard accomplished it easily. Holly threw his pack down to him and then took a deep steadying breath as she prepared to join him.

  It wasn’t quite as effortless as Rich
ard had made it seem, but she managed to climb out and then let go, falling a short distance into the safety of Richard’s arms. She slid down his body until her feet touched the crackly forest floor. She was breathing hard and felt her insides wobble at such intimate contact with him. He stared at her for a few seconds and then let her go.

  Richard shook his head to clear the buzz that had fogged it when he had held Holly against him. He really didn’t need this now. He needed to concentrate and be aware of everything around him, scanning for danger. They’d never get out of here alive if she was the only thing he was aware of.

  He crept silently through the undergrowth and sensed rather than heard Holly following, which was not bad for a novice. He was trained in combat and stealth, techniques drilled into him until they were instinctive. She was obviously following his instructions to the letter.

  They moved steadily behind the elevated shelters, sticking to the cover of the tree-line behind the camp. Richard could see the glow of the fire and used it to navigate his way around the camp. His gaze was alert, eyes darting back and forth, and his hearing was tuned in to the sounds of the night.

  He heard a large crack and stilled instantly, melting into the night, indicating for Holly to do the same. His heart pounded in his ears. He heard the noise again and realised it was coming from the fireplace. He felt relief flood through him and he breathed again.

  Holly tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to her. She pointed past him and he looked back to what had held her interest, and realised she’d seen Tundol. He hesitated and she looked at him.

  ‘What?’ she mouthed.

  Richard thought saving Tundol was the only humanitarian thing to do but it could also be a foolish move. What if the orphan didn’t co-operate and woke everyone in the camp? What if he’d developed some strange sense of loyalty to the rebels who, even though they had enslaved him, had saved him from the streets? Could they afford to take the risk?

  ‘What?’ she mouthed again. Holly sensed Richard’s reluctance but she would not leave without Tundol. If Richard thought she was going to turn her back on the defenceless child, he didn’t know her at all.

  He nodded at her and they continued their creep until they were directly behind the sleeping Tundol. Richard crouched low and indicated that Holly should stay where she was and he would go to the child.

  She shook her head at him and pointed to herself. ‘I’ll do it,’ she mouthed. She pointed to his chest and indicated that he should remain.

  Richard shook his head firmly. She nodded hers back vigorously. Holly leaned forward until her mouth was pressed to his ear. She tried not to think about how she had kissed him there just last night. ‘He’ll come with me, Richard. Let me do it,’ she whispered.

  Her hot breath sent a wave of sensation to his groin. He ignored it and concentrated on the conviction in her voice instead. Even in the reduced light he could see she meant it. Every instinct he possessed told him no.

  ‘Please, Richard, trust me.’

  She was so sure about this. Maybe it was time for him to put a little of the faith in her that he had insisted she place in him? He nodded and then held his breath as he watched her creep forward.

  Holly reached the sleeping child and shook him gently. Her eyes darted around the camp, alert for any trouble. Tundol opened his eyes and looked directly at her. She quickly pressed her index finger against her lips and placed a gentle hand against his mouth. He nodded at her and she let out the breath she had been holding then took her hand away from his mouth.

  Holly pointed to herself and then turned and pointed at Richard. She crooked her finger at him and then held out her hand. And then she waited. She had no doubt by the keen intelligence she had seen in his eyes that he knew what she was asking. Would he come with them in their bid for freedom or would he refuse? And if he refused, would he turn them in?

  Richard held another breath. Come on, Tundol. They didn’t have all night. He was acutely aware that if the child yelled out, they were screwed. They might have to make a run for it earlier than he’d thought.

  Holly’s hand remained empty. She smiled at the child and continued to wait. Tundol smiled back and placed his hand hesitantly in hers. Holly gave him a huge grin and pulled gently on his arm. Tundol had the good sense to move quietly with her back to Richard.

  So far so good, thought Richard. Stage one accomplished—get the boy. Now for stage two—escape the top camp without detection. Richard knew if they could do that then hopefully they’d almost be at the middle camp by dawn. He was counting on everyone in top camp being too hungover to notice they had gone or to realise their leader was dead.

  They continued to skirt the outer perimeter of the camp until they’d almost reached the track that led down the mountain. Holly and Tundol were being impressively quiet. He spotted a sentry almost too late. They were about a metre from him when Richard realised.

  It was quite dark. Overhead Richard could see a moon that looked almost full but only speckled light filtered through the canopy above. Luckily for them, although Richard was sure that John wouldn’t see it quite the same way, the lookout was sound asleep, snoring softly, propped against a tree. A little too much party cheer?

  He led his team a little deeper into the jungle to go around the sentry and then brought them back out onto the track a few hundred metres away from the camp. Richard couldn’t help feeling relieved as stage two was completed. Hopefully the next bit would be easier. They simply had to make their way as fast as they could down the track before the sun rose or Fumradi was discovered.

  Easy? Not really. If it were just him he’d be really confident of success, but not only did he have Holly in tow, there was also a child. The odds had narrowed considerably. Plus it was dark, which while advantageous on many levels made the trip on a mountain path that was often narrow and littered with swamps that much more treacherous. At least rainfall seemed to occur mainly during daylight hours. Dark he could handle. Slippery could be lethal.

  He had a torch in his pack and pulled it out to light their way. He knew he was going to have to conserve the battery, so he switched it off whenever the moon lit their way in areas where the canopy was sparser.

  Holly held on to Tundol’s hand as they walked quickly down the mountain. She tried not to feel too jubilant. There was still a long way to go, she knew that. But the feeling of release she felt as her legs took her further away from John and the dead rebel leader helped her ignore the protests of her muscles at the cracking pace Richard was setting.

  Little Tundol was practically running to keep up and she eased back a little. He didn’t seem to be complaining but the last thing they needed was an exhausted child they were going to have to cajole to take every step or, worse, carry. His little hand was holding on to hers for dear life and she felt the enormity of his trust.

  Walking through the darkened jungle was eerie. The muted moonlight threw weird shadows all around them and the animal noises that she’d only heard from the safety of their locked and guarded shelters seemed louder and closer. She felt a shudder ripple through her and swallowed. She’d never been overly afraid of the dark, but there was dark and there was this kind of dark.

  The noise of the insects and the almost claustrophobic sense of teeming, seething jungle pressing in from all sides was kind of spooky. She held Tundol’s hand a little tighter and reminded herself she was with Richard and he needed his escape partner to be mature. To be a woman. And she needed to prove to him that she wasn’t a frightened little girl if he was ever going to accept her as an equal.

  Still, it was especially unnerving, paddling through the puddles and swamps in the dark. It had been horrible enough in the daylight but the night made it tem times more creepy.

  She wanted to call out to Richard to stay with her, but his long-legged stride was purposeful and he didn’t need her fears slowing him down. She’d been tested many times during this ordeal and had not faltered. Had Richard noticed? She refused to undo her work whe
n they were on the home stretch.

  Having to help Tundol kept her mind off it to a certain degree. He seemed to be a good swimmer, which made the going a lot easier. If he was frightened about what the water held, he never let on. He just followed her uncomplainingly, and Holly thought that if a young kid could be brave then she sure as hell could.

  They didn’t speak. Richard turned and checked on them frequently but he rarely spoke to them. He had already explained to her that voices, particularly in the middle of nowhere and at night, could carry long distances. She knew that he was maintaining silence for a good reason but she was pretty spooked and could have done with some reassuring chatter. Even an argument would have done.

  The first rays of daylight were filtering through the canopy when they heard a noise that put a chill right down her spine. It was a distant wailing noise, like an air-raid warning from an old black-and-white war movie. Except it was just one long loud note.

  Richard stopped in his tracks and crouched low. Tundol flinched beside Holly and she felt his grasp tighten. The forest birds she hadn’t even been able to see suddenly took flight in a loud mass flapping of wings and she jumped at their noisy departure.

  And then the sound of gunfire. Distant gunfire but gunfire nonetheless. Sporadic bursts. Then nothing. Then some more. Had they found Fumradi dead? Or their captives escaped? Or both?

  Richard hurried them off the path as more gunfire, closer this time and coming from the direction they were heading, started up. The game was up, their escape had been discovered. OK. Now it had started for real. From now on they really were running for their lives.

  Richard guessed the gunfire and the booming noise had been a signal. The top camp was alerting those further down the incline that the prisoners had escaped. It meant they were going to be actively hunted now. People would be aware and on the lookout for them.

  They were only about an hour’s walk by his estimation to the middle camp. They had no choice now but to lie low, find a good hiding spot and get started again once night fell.

  Richard left Holly and Tundol hiding behind a huge fallen log and scouted the area, trying to find them a good place to conceal themselves and avoid detection. He inspected both sides of the track.