Page 112 of Depths of Destruction
"We have to get out," Naomi says.
I need my gun.
Why did I put my backpack in the back seat?
The other vehicle approaches. One thug holds a gun aimed at us, and the others jump out.
They yank our doors open. Two pull me out, and one grabs Naomi.
"Don't touch her," I yell, but it's useless.
Watching Naomi's eyes fill with fear, and knowing there is nothing I can do, is beyond painful.
The men talk fast in Spanish, and I don't know what they are saying, except for the words Belize, Naomi Salazar, and Nicolas Gómez.
Naomi tries to fight them, but she isn't strong enough. The man drags her to his vehicle and shoves her inside.
I try to break free, but something hits my head, and I hear Naomi scream as everything goes black.
When I come to, my brain feels like a hammer is beating it.
So much pain.
Why is my head pounding like this?
Oh God, they took Naomi.
Everything is fuzzy and moving. I attempt to get up, but as soon as I lift my head, a gruff voice barks something out in Spanish. Something slams into my head again, and I fall into the blackness for a second time.
"Andre!" Naomi's voice sniffles in my ear. "Please, wake up."
"Mmm," I groan.
Something wet drips on my face. "Please. Don't die on me. Please." She sobs, and my head is repositioned onto something soft and warm instead of the cold, hard surface of whatever I'm lying on.
The scent of her flares in my nostrils and her voice is a soothing song.
Except she's crying.
Wait. Why is she crying?
"Na—" I try to swallow, but my throat is drier than it's ever been.
"That's it, baby. Wake up." Her angelic lips press against my forehead, and her hands grip my chest.
I try to open my eyes, but pain shoots through my head, and I moan again.
"Andre, please," she cries, and wetness slides across my skin.
"Shh," I manage to get out.
Her soft hair falls onto my neck and chest, and her mouth brushes all over my face. "Wake up for me."
"Hurts..."
Why does it take so much strength to talk?
She cradles my head closer to her body. "Please," she desperately whispers.
