Tempest, Chapter 31

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Tempest

Chapter 31

Jake lunged as Adrienne lifted the gun, pulling it away just as it went off. Charlie jumped back, standing helplessly by while he held the girl back. The gun landed several feet away, and Charlie ran to pick it up. She turned, and saw Nick on the ground, blood soaking into the dirt around him.

"Nick..." She went over and knelt beside him, placing two fingers at the side of his neck.She looked up at Jake, still holding Adrienne as she sobbed against his chest. "He's dead." She stood and moved to Jake's side. He released Adrienne, took the gun from Charlie and flipped a lever on the back that she assumed was the safety before he tucked it into the back of his waistband.

"Do you know where the others are? Are they okay?" he asked Adrienne.

She nodded, pointing into the trees. "They're camped out a mile that way," she said, her voice breaking. "I went there first, then followed Nick when he left them to see what he was up to."

Charlie frowned as they started hiking again. "How did you get here ahead of us? I thought the mine would be faster."

"I came up the river," Adrienne said. "Right after I left you, I had instructions to go to the river where I'd be taken back to my father." She grinned, wiping the last of the tears from her face. "I guess I don't follow instructions very well."

Jake shook his head. "We need to pick up the pace, ladies." He glanced over his shoulder at Charlie. "Are you okay to keep going?"

She nodded, forcing her aching muscles to a longer stride. "I'll be fine."

They walked in silence, hearing low murmers ahead after about half an hour. Jake signalled them to duck behind some bushes, and Charlie crouched beside Adrienne as he went on ahead.

"I'm glad Jake saved your life," Charlie whispered. Adrienne looked at the ground, letting out a long sigh. "Is there anything I can do? Someone I can call when we get out of here?"

The girl shook her head. "There's no one left to care," she said, her voice low. "It's okay though. Thanks for wanting to help. I'll be okay." She smiled. Charlie noticed it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Movement ahead caught her eye. "There's Jake," she said, standing and reaching a hand out to help Adrienne up. "Looks like it's safe."

"Nick's wife is worried," he said when they reached him. "I haven't told her yet, but we need to get moving soon to stay ahead of Winters' men. You two get everyone packed up and ready while I break the news. I want to get her away from the group when I tell her, just in case she's in on it too."

Charlie nodded. She and Adrienne followed him into the clearing to join the group. They were waiting, and everyone started talking at once. Charlie held up her hands, waiting until they quieted to speak. She noticed that Jake pulled Nick's wife, Tanya aside.

"Thank you, everyone for your concern." She looked around at the expectant faces. "We're fine - Jake helped us get away, for now. But we need to keep moving, and get off this mountain. So if you would all gather your things quickly, we'll go as soon as you're ready."

No one moved. Don Wilson spoke up. "Tell us what's going on. Who are these people? What do they want with us?"

"We have a right to know who's trying to kill us, don't we?" Brenda looked around, and the others nodded.

Charlie rubbed the side of her neck with one hand. They did deserve to know. But what was the point? It didn't change anything, and they were wasting time. She looked around, hoping to defer to Jake, but he and Tanya had gone out of site. She took a breath, preparing to stall.

"It's my father." Adrienne stepped forward. "He's a drug dealer that I was helping Jake catch." She took a deep breath, letting it out slow. "I'm sorry you were all involved, but it's done, and there's nothing we can do now but stay ahead of him."

Don put his hands on his hips. "Well what does he want? Is there anything we can give him to make him go away?"

"No." Charlie's voice was firm, and she held his stare until he looked away. "That's enough. Get packed up, everyone. We're going home."