by Lynn Landes
“I floored it; I didn’t wait to see what he would do. I drove home threw things in a bag and left. Maybe I am over reacting” pausing Elsbeth says, “but the eyes. I feel like I have been marked. I don’t know if I can run from them, but I am going to try to find help.”
“If anyone knows who he is, or what they are please leave a comment below. I desperately need help.”
Video 3
Standing outside in the bright sun, Looking more rested she begins “Elsbeth here, I found help, or rather; she found me. I am on my way to meet her!” Excitedly she says, “I will let you know what I find out.” Looking directly into the camera with her long blonde hair blowing in the wind, blue eyes shining, she says “I feel so relieved to know that I am not alone in this fight. I will keep you updated on what I find out. Talk to you soon.”
Grabbing her phone off the top of Jake’s “baby”, she smiles as she climbs into the driver’s seat of the orange and black 1970 Ford Torino. He left his car with her when he was deployed telling her to take care of it while he was gone. Jake signed up with the Air force straight out of high school and was part of the Pararescue unit. Their mission is to rescue, recover and return American or Allied forces in times of danger or extreme duress. Sighing she touches the dream catcher that hangs from the rear view mirror and wishes he were here. Only three more weeks till he is home for good, she thinks as she starts the engine. Jake put his six years in, and during his last leave decided it was time for a change. During his last mission something went wrong, and lives were lost. He decided not to re-enlist and she was more than ready for his help. Due to the secrecy of his job, she had not been able to reach him to tell him all that’s been happening.
“Hurry home Jake.” Elsbeth says as she pulls out of the overlook onto the two lane road. Driving down the stretch of road on the Blue Ridge parkway, she stares at the beauty around her. To her left a straight drop off to the mountains below, while to the right nothing but a mountain of rock. The car hugged the road with no problem. She reaches the top of the mountain just before sunset.
Descending to the valley below, Elsbeth notices a blur of movement to her left in the trees. Her heart begins to race, as she glances over. “Damn!” Elsbeth says. She can’t believe her eyes. It is a pack of shadow wolves keeping pace with her car. She presses on the gas and begins to pull away. Trying to keep track of the wolves through her mirrors, she looks back to the road as her cell phone rings. Answering her phone she hears a female voice ask “Where are you?”
“On the parkway, they’ve found me, what do I do? She asks in a frightened voice. “I’m coming to you.” The voice says and the line goes dead.
Glancing down at her phone, Elsbeth looks up and standing in the center of the lane with glowing red eyes is the Shadowman from her shop! Instinctively she jerks the wheel to the left, and screaming, she slams on her brakes. The car goes into a skid and rears up on its right tires. Rolling, on its side the car flips and sound of breaking glass and metal crunching fills her ears. Flipping a few times more before it crashes onto its roof. Bleeding from her head, and locked in by her seatbelt; Elsbeth frantically tries to break free. Moaning she says “No, No, No!” The wolves are circling the car, snarling and she hears the sound of footsteps. The smell of gas fills the night, and just before she passes out she hears him say in a demonic voice; “I have been waiting for you, Elsbeth. We are going to become close friends”
Ten
The call came in and immediately Jake knew this was not a standard drop and recovery mission. Any time a Major General gets involved "complications" are bound to occur. Keeping his team safe and helping those in need were always his primary objective. That is what the Pararescue men train for. At 6 ft 2 inches and 215 pounds of rock hard muscle Jake trained hard and thrived on the job.
Sitting in the briefing room, Jake and his team of seven are being briefed on the mission.
"Locals call this stretch here the Mountain of the Dead." The Major says pointing to the surveillance footage.
"I've heard that name before" Jake says. He continues, "It is home to over one hundred and fifty-six caves, and that does not include the ventilation shafts, and tunnels drilled to allow sun, and water in. The treacherous part will be the traps and buried mines that litter the face of the mountain."
"Exactly”, the major replies."Terrorist forces kidnapped three British aid workers and one U.S. aid worker six says ago. Her name is Heather Jones. Repeated attempts at negotiations have proved futile, and intelligence recorded a call that makes it urgent to get them out now. Using footage from our predator drones we have been able to narrow it down to two distinct caves. They have separated the women, which makes it more difficult. Major General Mark Turner has been in contact with the British government, they are briefing a Special Forces team to recover their aid workers. Your mission; rescue the American hostage. The British will not move until you are in place.”
"Sir, where is our rendezvous point?" Jake asks.
"Our best option is to go in at night; high in the mountain valley here" the major states pointing at the map. “What goes on inside the caves is up to you and your team,” he continues. "That's how we like it," Lucas says stepping forward. Looking at the group the major finishes, "Lucas, Thomas, Seth and Craig will handle security on this mission. Jake, take lead, the rest of you knows what to do.”
Lucas takes his team members to the choppers to make sure they are ready, and Jake turns to his commanding officer and asks him, "So what makes this one woman a high priority? From the looks of the Intel they have a large group guarding her." Turning to look at Jake the major says, "Our Intel recorded a phone call telling them to execute her in the morning. They were told to make an example of her, to remind the Americans they will never be safe."
"Time to get going then and bring her home," Jake says walking away.
While in flight the team listens to an update from the Intel officers in the control room. Speaking into his headset he tells his team “We are going to take this nice and easy, I do not want to spook them. Intel does not say what condition she will be in, so we need to hydrate her and be ready to sedate her if needed."
Over the drone of the helicopter they hear, "Inbound to insertion point, one minute.” Flying in low the chopper hovers long enough for the team to deploy to the ground. It's a three mile hike through heavy brush and trees. Jake takes point and the team moves cautiously through the dark toward the caves. Moving into position Jake points toward the three guards posted outside and speaking softly says, "On my mark, take them out quietly, and three of you set up a perimeter. Lucas your team follows me. Let’s go get her."
Jake keys his radio mike three times to signal control that his team is in position and ready. A minute later they get the signal to go. Motioning to his team they move into action. As the shooters take down the three guards, Jake and his boys are already slipping through the mouth of the cave.
Moving quickly and quietly they spread out, weapons ready. Stepping cautiously they look out for rocks, while snaking around old blankets, buckets and trash. All movement stops at a signal from Jake.
Laughter can be heard and lights flicker ahead. Each tunnel has overhead wires running along the ceiling providing electricity. One tunnel trails to the left, Jake points for James and Eli to go in and clear it. Advancing silently the two find a group of three men sleeping. Drawing their combat knives they quickly eliminate the threats. Covering the bodies they move to rejoin the group.
Listening they hear the sound of breaking glass and the screams of a woman from the tunnel straight ahead. The corridor to the right seems to be where the music and laughter is coming from. Jake motions for the team of three to go to the right and signals for Seth to follow him.
Advancing into the stone cut room, Jakes sees his objective towards the back of the cave. Kneeling on the debris covered floor she is shackled like an animal, with a wild desperate look in her green eyes. She cradles one of her arms and from what Jake can see
it may be broken. Two men are taking turns drinking and throwing empty glass bottles at her. Blood drips from her forehead as she attempts to block a bottle that is hurtled by one of the drunken men. She tries to block the next bottle with her one good arm as it explodes against the wall, raining glass down over her.
With the final shatter of glass, the two men do not hear death sneaking up behind them. Seth and Jake move together behind the two of them. Heather looks up in surprise as they grab the men's heads in their hands and give them a quick twist. There is a sickening crunch as their necks snap and the men drop to the floor. "Heather, we are here to help you," Seth says as he and Jake work together to move the bodies. They hear the muffled popping of silenced guns from the other cave. "All clear" sounds in his headset. Lucas and his team set up a perimeter the hallway leading to Heather’s room..
A scream from Heather has Jake spinning around, only to freeze in shock. "What the hell?" Jake says. A large bat like creature is diving at her from the ceiling. At first glance it appears to be a bat, with a grey fur covered body and large black leathery wings. On the tips of each front wing appears to be a large talon like hook. Landing on the ceiling it crawls across it using its hooks and bat feet to hold on. Turning to look at Jake with its ape like features it opens its huge hinged jaw, screeching, baring its sharp teeth.
Leaping toward Jake it makes a series of clicking sounds, and swoops down ripping his head gear off and knocking him to the ground. Seth rushes over to help Jake, not sure what is going on. Standing up Jake watches as shadows close in from the back of the cave, reaching for Heather. She struggles with her chain, trying to break free as the bat demon scrambles across the ceiling and hits her in the chest. Jumping into action, Jake rips his knife from his chest rig and running towards her yells, "Get off her!"
At the sound of Jakes voice, the demon on her screeches in pain attempting to shield itself with its wings. Throwing the full weight of his body against the creature, Jake plunges his knife into the top of the demons skull, only to fall to the ground as it explodes in a shower of dust, dropping him hard to the floor. Breathing hard Jake crawls towards Heather to check for a pulse. She lays bleeding from a laceration to her shoulder, bruised and bloody, but breathing.
Lucas has joined Seth and they stand back in shock trying to assess the situation. They are not sure what their team leader is doing. "Chief! Talk to me!" Lucas says as they walk toward him.
"We have to move, more are coming! We have to go now!” Jake says to them standing up drawing his pistol. Stepping back warily they each rest their hands on their own weapon. Jake shoots the chain and tells Seth "help her up!" Looking around frantically, he holds his knife in one hand and his pistol in the other.
As Seth reaches for her she whispers in a hoarse voice "there's two more, help him!" Too weak to stand on her own Seth lifts her in his arms. “Two of what darlin, I don’t see anything” he says. Staring into his brown eyes, she wraps her arms around his neck and whispers "Father fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen."
Unsettled he glances over at Lucas, only to stare horrified at a creature dangling from the ceiling above him. Before he can move it hooks Lucas from his left shoulder, and lifts him off his feet. Screaming in pain Lucas shoots into the air above him.
Jake yells, "I see you Demon" and throws his knife stabbing it in the chest. It screeches and explodes, dropping Lucas to the ground. Staring up in horror Lucas watches as Jake gets directly under the last creature and screams "Come on you ugly bastard!"
The noise from the gunshot draws their fellow soldiers in from the hall, providing the distraction the demon needs. It seizes the moment and springs at the two men slicing at ones throat, and wrapping the other in its deadly embrace. Lucas and Jake are already moving, knowing they do not have much time. Lucas reaches Thomas relieved to see the hook only sliced through the shoulder strap of his chest rig.
Jake grabs the large ear of the bat demon jerking hard, and hears a sucking sound as it releases the throat of its victim. Shoving his knife deep into the black eye socket he yells "Time for you to go back to Hell!" He is not surprised as he is showered in a sandy explosion of demon dust.
Running into the gruesome scene two of the PJ’s called by Lucas, come in and spring into action. Craig is severely wounded with half his throat ripped out. He is bleeding out fast and they work frantically to save his life.
Jake looks around and takes stock of the situation. Lucas is wounded, Heather is seriously injured and needs immediate medical care, and Craig is critical. They will not make it to the extraction point. Putting pressure on Lucas's shoulder, Seth gives him a quick injection for pain. Lucas looks over at Jake and says, "Get us out of here Chief!"
“LZ is hot proceeding to second extraction point. One critical, two seriously injured Need immediate evac over,” Jakes says into his radio. Not waiting for a response Jake says, “Let’s move.” Seth carries Heather, while Lucas walks beside them. Eli and Thomas take point and the first of the group head to the extraction point.
James and Shawn are working on stabilizing Craig, but the blood loss is too great. James calls it, “Time of Death 3:14am.” Shawn says, “We have to go, I will bring him.” James takes point and the three of them move quickly to the entrance of the tunnel. The sound of the choppers can be heard, one lands and the first half of the group load up. After it takes off the second chopper drops and the three rush to board, Jakes looks back at the Mountain of Death as they leave wondering what this all means.
The next few days passed in a blur. Heather exhausted from her ordeal barely remembers what happened after they saved her from the caves. During the flight Seth never left her side, and she couldn't bring herself to let him. She panicked when the others came near, he started her I.V. administered a sedative, and just before the darkness claimed her she called his name softly, "Seth"
Holding her hand he leaned in as she said, "My bag, it’s in my car" Opening her eyes she looked directly into his saying "it's what they were after! They will send more...” Looking away he hears her say "Promise me, you will get my bag."
"I promise, now go to sleep. I won't leave you." Kissing her forehead he watches as she settles and the drugs take effect. He cleans some of the wounds on her face, marveling at her beauty. It's a miracle they didn't kill her or worse. He'd seen much worse.
"Hey Romeo" Jake calls out "how's our patient?"
"Stable, captain. How's hot-shot?" Seth replies.
"I heard that cowboy; still take you with one arm behind my back" comes Lucas's husky reply.
"I.V. Started he needs blood... "Jake starts to say but Lucas cuts him off, "No drugs! No one’s knocking me out! What the hell was that Captain?"
Seth listens closely, but to his disappointment, hears ETA five minutes. "Our patient has some questions to answer when she's able." Jake responds.
Seth looks down at the hand he's clutching, tracing the pale skin with his tan fingers and determines that she won't be alone when they interrogate her. Shocked with his urge to protect her, he tries to drop her hand only to feel her clutch his more tightly, and whisper his name.
"Well, Hell," he mutters turning away only to catch Lucas smiling at him. "Shut up!" he snarls, ignoring the laughter around him.
Eleven
Heather stands in the shower and sighs as she washes all the grime, dirt, and dried blood away. She lets her tears fall, and she sends a prayer of thanks that she survived. Trying not to think about the last ten days, she washes her hair a third time and tries to keep her cast dry. It's hard to believe that her "affliction" as her mother calls it, saved her life. Not sure how to feel about it, she gets out of the tiny hospital shower and dries off quickly. Returning to her room, she lets the nurse help her into some dry clothes that Seth brought her.
Seth, her heart sighs. Just the thought of him makes her smile. He'd been in to see her as often as possible. The look on his face was priceless when she told him where her bag was hidden. "The air cleaner?
Of your car?” he had responded with disbelief.
"What? It seemed like a good idea at the time. My Dad made me take an auto-shop class in high school, thank God. It's very simple to remove, just twist the wing nut and ..."
"Heather, I know how to remove a wing nut!” he said exasperated. "Why would you put your bag there?"
"It had to be somewhere they wouldn't think to look. Technically the car isn't mine, its Johns but he loaned it to me," She said handing him the long term parking ticket. "Please Seth, no more questions. I will explain everything after you get my bag."
More confused than ever, Seth leans in and says "I want some answers when I get back." Tucking the blankets around her, Heathers breath catches when he leans close wondering how his mouth will feel on hers. With a small smile he kisses her forehead and leaves.
"Uuuugggg." Heather groans covering her face with a pillow when he leaves.
Later in the day drying her hair she hears "Is your sweet heart coming back today?" The nurse asks. "Oh, he's not mine, He's a friend."
"He won't be able to recognize you without all of your equipment." Her long chestnut brown hair fell in waves around her shoulder, and her green eyes were a beautiful contrast next to her pale skin. When she smiles two deep dimples dance, drawing the attention of anyone near. They had removed the IV that morning and cleared her for a shower. He left arm was broken with a cast, and her other shoulder was sewn up. She was taking antibiotics, and had multiple lacerations that been bandaged. She was lucky and exhausted. The nurse helped her get back in bed and tells her to rest.
