Page 119 of Haze of Obedience
I tilt my head up. "I'm all right."
He takes a deep breath.
"Can I come out now?"
He nods and helps me up. The five of us stand together, Axel holding Penelope, Dirk holding me, and Tinker holding his face, surveying the destruction.
"Thank God I have earthquake insurance," Tinker mutters.
"Let's get clothes on and clean up," I suggest.
Tinker sighs and leaves the room.
"Dirk, help me find my backpack. Penelope's clothes are in it," Axel says. "Go stand by Zoe, where it's not as messy," Axel tells her.
Penelope approaches me, and I embrace her. It's a miracle she isn't hurt. When I pull out of the hug, I glance at her towel and smirk.
So much for her hounding me about my relationship with Dirk.
"What?" she quietly asks.
I keep my voice low. "Do you always sleep naked or only with Axel? I don't remember you doing that when we shared a room."
She blushes. "Like you didn't just throw that shirt on."
I only smile at her, and she softly laughs.
Andre and Naomi's passports came the night before, and they left for the airport before we get downstairs. We spend the day cleaning up whatever we can, but the house is in shambles. There are large cracks in the kitchen wall, and sunlight shines through.
Mid-afternoon, Tinker goes into town to check out the damage. When he returns, he tells us the earthquake caused so much damage most of the city is destroyed. He also speaks to his passport guy, who tells him that his equipment was all damaged and it will take months to get replacements.
"Months? I don't have months. My daughter needs to be rescued," Penelope frets.
Axel cups her cheeks. "We'll find her."
"Tinker, you've gotta know someone else who can get us passports faster," Dirk says.
"Give me a minute. I need to make a phone call." He leaves the room.
"I can't go months. Who knows what they're doing to her," Penelope whispers as tears fall down her cheeks.
My heart breaks, and Dirk stands behind me and places his arm around my waist. I glance up at him, and he clenches his jaw. His heart beats hard in his chest.
"I promise you. We will find her," Axel reiterates then pulls her into his body while she cries.
The rest of us wait in silence. Tinker finally comes back into the room. "I have good news and bad news."
Dirk's body stiffens. "Lay it on us."
"My guy in Nicaragua has three passports. His supplies were coming from Honduras, so he thinks it will take a long time to get any more materials. But it's only a few hours away."
"There's four of us," I mutter.
"I have another option, but I don't think you'll like it."
"What is it?" Axel asks.
"My other guy in Valladolid, Mexico, has enough for all of you."
