Page 349 of 5+Us Makes Seven

His were devoid of life.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

“Why not?” he said with a chuckle. “You could have been on the winning side in this, but you had to be a punk-ass pussy and drop out. We were going to let you go until that bitch published her story.”

“You were behind the Afghani calling her?”

“Wow. You really are dense, aren’t you?”

He shoved his hand with the stun-gun forward and pressed the button, causing me to flinch. Another round of laughter filled the cavern.

Think, Cooper. It’s sink or swim time. You HAVE to save her.

“You should have stuck with us or kept your mouth shut. Now you will pay. Bring the woman in here.”

I watched in horror as they dragged Jade, kicking and screaming, into the cavern.

“Leave her alone,” I said, rushing over.

Before I made it to them, they shoved her to the floor of the cave. I went down on my knees next to her.

“Are you okay?”

“They drugged me,” she said, slurring her speech.

I stood up and turned to Max.

“What the fuck did you do?”

He grinned. I bolted forward, hoping I could at least knock him over before he stunned me again. As I approached, in the last moment, gunshots rang out somewhere deeper in the cave, followed by an explosion.

Unable to stop myself, I changed direction, running into one of the surprised men in long white robes. I punched him in the face while grabbing his AK-47.

The rest of the cavern had erupted in chaos. I didn’t see Max, but most of the other men were running toward the sound of the explosions.

When I saw Jade curled up in a fetal position, I rushed forward, intent on protecting her. The others had all left by the time I reached her. I crouched down, the AK slung over my shoulder.

“Are you okay?” I asked, holding her head.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know, but

I’m getting you out of here. Can you walk?”

She shook her head.

“What the hell did they give you?” I muttered. “Never mind, I’m going to carry you.”

I picked her up in my arms and turned to look at my options. More gunshots rang out in the distance, then silence. Hoping I didn’t have to drop her to get my gun, I headed in the opposite direction.

A few hundred feet later, I saw sunlight from the entrance of the cave.

“Just a little longer. Hang on,” I said, more for myself than her.

She looked up at me, oblivious to the severity of the situation.

“I’ll leave you here. I need to see where we are and if anyone’s outside the cave.”

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