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We’ve circled the entire area, looking for any signs that might indicate Eden is down there, but it’s not easy. We’ve spotted a few hikers, but they’re easily identifiable by the bright colors they wear and can be spotted from the height we’re flying at.
Eden was wearing all black, making it bloody hard to find her camouflaged in the landscape. From this aerial vantage point, the rugged and intricate terrain of the canyons are a patchwork of earthy hues, ranging from deep russet and ochre to sandy beige. Even her skin color matches the scene!
Come on, siren.
Where the bloody heck are you, darling?
Not counting the pilot, five pairs of eyes are scanning the landscape below. Four pairs belong to me and my bandmates, and the fifth is Carl, our head of security, who stepped in to take over Rick’s position.
He told us about his history with Rick, who was recently identified as one of the two people who died in the car bombing. They’ve been mates since serving in the army, so this mission has become some personal vendetta to find his killer.
The more people eager to end this minging kidnapper, the better for us, and I’m pretty sure this new guy doesn’t have any scruples about dealing with the arsehole in our own personal way. The last thing any of us want is the authorities capturing him and going through some long-winded, bureaucratic trial that the media would have a party with. We’re ending this bastard our own way without the bullshite of red tape.
The vastness of these deep canyons stretches out in all directions. As the helicopter banks and turns, the scale of the canyons becomes even more apparent with their massive crevices and steep walls. I have no idea how Eden managed to arrive here. Or whether she’s alone and why the fuck was she brought here.
“There, check that peak!” Jagger shouts at the pilot. He and Carl are wearing binoculars and can see much better than the rest of us.
I narrow my eyes to pinpricks to focus on what Jaggers’s indicating.
The helicopter circles and lowers closer, and now I’m almost sure that’s Eden with Brittney. You can’t miss her friend’s white outfitfrom above. Observing further, I spot several bodies lying still on the ground below in the valley.
I almost missed Eden, but it’s that bastard and another arsehole opposite the women aiming their guns at them.
“I can only land inside the valley,” yells the pilot.
“That’s over an hour's climb, and we haven’t got the equipment for it. It’ll be longer,” predicts Carl.
“Prepare the hoist, fly us over, and get as close as possible,” shouts Jagger, already getting himself ready into the harness and buckling himself up.
As the pilot descends further, everyone below glances up at us, and Eden uses the split second to raise her hand.
We don’t hear her gun go off, but we see the unmasked man stumble back. He’s shot but not fatally and raises his hand again. Eden pushes Brittney to the ground, diving with her as the two men shoot at them. The masked man grabs hold of Brittney, and she’s screaming.
Fuck!
“Get us closer, now!” yells Carl, but Jagger has already descended down. While I can’t hear the gunfire from the loud noise of the helicopter, I see him shooting his gun.
He manages to distract the two men, and Eden escapes, running towards the ledge and looking over.
Don’t fucking jump, luv! For Christ's sake, I think my heart stopped beating ten seconds ago.
Jagger’s down on the ground. Carl’s fixed two hoists, and he and Haze are on their way down. It’ll be mine and Asher’s turn next, and I don’t hesitate to get into the harness and make my way down to join in on the gunfire now going on.
One more masked idiot managed to climb the mountain, and I don’t think anyone noticed him. My aim is fixed on him as I descend.
Okay, the final drop down isn’t as steep as expected. I didn’t land as professionally as Jagger and Carl did and ended up in a tumble and lost my gun. I scramble around, trying to find it.
Fuck it, I run after the unknown masked one and see him. His gun is directly at Haze’s head.
No!
Fuck no!
No, you fucking don’t!
Without any second thoughts, I dive and drag the gunman’s ankles with me off the cliff. I land with a loud thump on the ground, and the world fades.
I might have actually died.
