Page 68 of Ace

He called Gianna again. His call went to voicemail immediately. Then he tried her SAT phone. Still no answer. His frustration grew. “Come on, Gi. Talk to me.”

But nothing happened, of course. She had shut him out.

He traveled closer and his mind started turning over what his plan would be. First, he would find Gi. Then they would work out their next plan, namely, to get as many people as possible away from the warehouse and to safety. And he wanted a look inside. Just what kinds of weapons were they building?

His phone dinged.

You have less than four hours.

Wait. I’m not sure where Gianna is.

Too late. Find her. Please.

He checked his watch then turned on his intercom to the pilot. “We just ran out of time. How fast can you get us to the shore of Panau?”

“That’s within the new forbidden airspace.”

“True. How close can you get me? Extra pay.”

“You got it. Northern shore, coming in low. You might have to do a water drop. First sign of anything, and we abort.”

“Understood.” Dex hadn’t expected such an experienced pilot. The man winked at him, and then their speed increased. The craft flew lower. Long before he expected, Dex recognized landmarks. They were almost on the approach. The northern shore became visible in the grey darkness. It was still in the early hours of morning, the sky becoming pale grey instead of black. He checked his watch. Three AM.

Then the sky lit with a bright orange light. The very air seemed to shake as the helicopter experienced turbulence. Dex rushed to the front of the craft. A whole section of the island seemed to glow and burn. Dex’s heart sank. His gaze searched for people, for movement, for Gi. But they were too far to see anything.

“Okay, that looks like an abort.” The captain turned the craft.

“Wait. Can you circle low, see if anyone is out in the water?”

“This is a war zone.”

“I know. We have a few seconds.”

They hugged the shoreline away from the source of the blast, even though sweat started to collect on the captain’s forehead, and his hands shook when he mopped his face with an old and tattered handkerchief.

They had circled the water one whole time when he said, “I have to get out of here. You do what you want.” He put his hand near the button that would open the door. Then he looked back at Dex.

I’ll be your co. The words seared into his memory.I’ll be your co. He nodded to open the door. “Take me to the northern tip.”

The pilot breathed out in relief and raced to the northern part of the island. Then he opened the door.

Another blast lit the sky and stopped his breath. “Gi.”

Dex jumped without thinking into the water along the northern shoreline. His rucksack on his back, all his equipment with him, he splashed and started swimming. After what felt like the most exhausting five hours of his life, he arrived at the secluded brush where they’d found that fishing boat the last time he was there. A boat was hidden in the trees once again. He took the sack off his back and left it in the bottom of the boat. And then he made his way at a run, though his legs felt weak and wobbly, around the edge of the forest toward the children’s homes.

He stumbled into a clearing and then stepped back into the brush. The place that had at one point been relatively sparse in population was now packed with people. Makeshift tents and living spaces filled the walking areas, and people gathered around cooking fires were eyeing the sky where huge billowing clouds of smoke rose.

He pushed his way through the camps of people, his hope growing. People hardly noticed him in the semi-darkness. He was warmed by the sight of family groups gathered. A mother huddled with her children, trying to distract them from the ominous sight in the sky. Fathers stood at attention, staring at the sky, mothers kept children behind them, and big brothers put their arms around younger siblings. So many sweet moments flashed in front of his eyes as he hurried faster and faster toward Rosamie. She would know better than anyone where Gi had gone.

And he prayed she was nowhere near that blast. But he didn’t know why she wouldn’t be. For all he knew, she’d caused it.

Finally he was at the entrance to the orphanage, the structure he and Gi had worked to wall in and put a roof over top. People were crowded all around it. The covered schoolroom area was packed with people. And Cook, bless her, was cooking up something in the kitchen. He marveled at the goodness of these people. And he hoped the children weren’t lost in all the shuffle. A group ran by, but one of the kids stopped. “You Miss Gianna’s friend.”

“Yes, I am. Do you know where she is?”

The child’s eyes studied him and then nodded and led him to her house. Dex smiled. Of course.

But when he climbed up inside, she wasn’t there. It looked like she hadn’t been for weeks. He groaned in frustration. The islanders would need help putting out those flames. And he couldn’t do anything until he’d found Gianna. He backed down her ladder, leaned up against it, and studied the people all around him.

---