Jinn & Toxic

by Franny Armstrong

  Knots twisted in her stomach as she tuned into the pain Julie was in.

  Hang in there, little sister. I’m coming!

  As soon as she opened her door, she shouted, “Pearson, get in here.”

  The soldier raced down the hall, a look of concern and determination on her face. Pearson was the only ace in her hole, the only one who would help her break away.

  ***

  Pain like nothing she’d ever felt before radiated from her chest as Juliette Dennison dragged herself toward shore. She knew that if she stayed in the river, she was doomed to drown, her strength all but gone. Even with the bulletproof vest on, she was sure her ribs were broken from the shots. It hurt to breathe in, to move, and there wasn’t a bone or muscle in her entire body that didn’t scream out in protest, yet still she worked her way through the mud and foliage at the edge of the river to find a safe place to hide.

  Jinn, need...help. Hurry.

  Her silent call would be heard by her sister no matter where in the world she was stationed. Their bond was unbreakable. If not for any other reason but the pain, Jinn would know there was something wrong and try to find her. The only problem was that no one knew where she and her team were—except for the traitor who’d given them away. That was the only way the enemy could have made such a tight-knit trap ready for the moment TT&T hit the ground running.

  Grabbing onto grass, leaves, branches, and anything else she could manage allowed her to inch her way onto shore. The smell of fresh loam filled her nostrils. Resting a moment face down, she tasted the dirt and grass, pain tearing through her chest.

  As Julie dragged her body up the small incline into the thick bush, agony ripped through her until the world spun and all else faded from her thoughts.

  ***

  “You will tell me what I want to know.”

  A beefy fist cracked across Tab’s cheek, pain crashing into his skull as the torture continued. Tied to a chair for hours, he’d been beaten until all he could feel was the ache of never-ending agony. Unable to use his own special gift for fear the enemy would find out about it, Tab was helpless to defend himself or his team.

  The bastard that led the gang of cutthroats showed no mercy as he let his men brutalize Tab until he resembled a piece of tenderized meat. At least some of my team escaped. Tab spit blood onto the pants of his latest punisher, which only made the man more furious.

  “Stop, stop, amigo,” the leader instructed his man, laughter in his voice. “Don’t think we’ll let you escape by pushing us too far, Captain. If you are not alive to take the fall, then there are others in your group. Perhaps one of the two women we captured?”

  When Tab remained silent, the man shouted to one of his men. “Bring one!”

  “Leave my team alone.” Tab’s hoarse cry was all that was left to him as his energy wore thin. He’d lost a lot of blood from his leg wound and the pummeling rattled what was left of his thoughts.

  “What was that? How impressive. I was beginning to think you were mute. Let’s see how vocal you’ll get when we entertain one of your women.”

  “Fuck you!” Tab hissed. His teeth were loose enough to wiggle with his tongue if he dared. Blood dripped freely from his nose and lips leaving a metallic taste in his mouth, but he refused to give in. The smell of unwashed bodies stank so badly he gagged.

  Once again a fist slammed into his chin, knocking his head to the side. The room spun as he tried to remain focused on his anger and the pain to keep awake and alive. The team depended on his strength.

  When a body was thrown to the floor of the tent at his feet, he nearly groaned in dismay. Bright red hair proved it was Angel Rowling, a particularly tough soldier all of twenty years old whom they nicknamed flame. She always used her mouth before her brain. Though smart and ready to fight, she got into more trouble from her shotgun temper than anything else. She and Dennison acted like time bombs when someone annoyed them or threatened their teammates.

  Hair wild, her eyes filled with hatred, she stared up at their tormentor with a blast of fury. Tab wondered, not for the first time, if she’d ever killed a man in cold blood for pissing her off. With her hands tied behind her back, Angel snarled at the leader as he cupped her chin, lifting her head until her neck arched as he made her look up at him.

  “Pretty for a gringo. You will have the pleasure of being the first female to share the ground with many of my men. They are hungry for a woman’s company and you—”

  “You are not only ugly, but also stupid if you think I’d share anything with you or your bloody crew.” Her words were met by her captors’ laughter.

  “Such wildfire. You are as hot as your fiery hair. Don’t worry, gringo, you’ll get more than your share.”

  “Leave...my...soldier...alone.” The slow, cold, bitter words escaped before Tab could help it. His teammates, especially the women, knew what could happen if they were caught. Angel wouldn’t give an inch no matter what the enemy did to her, but Tab couldn’t stand the thought of someone hurting anyone under his command, especially the women.

  “My pardon, Captain, but you have no choice in the matter. Tell me what I want to know, or I take measures you are sure to disapprove of. I can always get it from your soldiers. A woman’s place is at home minding babies, not in a war. For shame that you don’t understand such a simple rule. You gringos are weak-minded and foolish in battle. Strip her down!” he ordered.

  “No!” Tab was helpless, his arms tied behind his back and his legs secured to the chair. He could only watch as Angel was forced facedown on the ground, her clothing cut away from her body. Tab’s neck muscles tore from the strain of trying to get free from his bonds. Four men held her down yet she managed to fight like a wildcat, hurting at least two of them before they subdued her.

  “Halt!” The leader yelled, and they all stopped in place. Angel lay on her stomach, naked and panting. Sweat and blood dripped from her body.

  “Last chance, Captain. Tell me what I want to know and she’ll be returned to the others.”

  Tab knew the man lied, but he stood firm. Silence filled the tent until Angel yelled, “TT&T never gives up!”

  Proud of her, he roared, “Toxic to the end!”

  In response, the others from the team outside shouted from where they were held and bedlam broke out…

  Chapter Two: Hunt and Seek

  Sunglasses in place, Jinn walked down the stairs from the commercial jetliner onto the pavement at the Oaxaca airport in Mexico, one bag in hand. The heavy, humid air was laden with the exhaust fumes from the plane and the trucks surrounding it. She wanted to hold her breath but instead moved a little slower.

  She took note of every detail of the airstrip around her to ensure she memorized them for later. The small runway was lined with a number of planes while passengers walked within the designated area to get to the main terminal. Soldiers watched with bored expressions, guns resting on their shoulders.

  Dressed as a tourist, she followed the others, sure to keep her expression full of excitement and curiosity when in her mind, she sought Julie.

  Not one communication since I first knew she was in danger. My chest still hurts though, so she’s alive. Damn it Julie, answer my call!

  Inside, the large hallway was cool with air conditioning, a shock after suffering the heavy humidity outside and the blazing heat. She breathed a sigh of relief. Not that she cared one way or the other what the weather threw at her, as long as she found Julie and got her to safety.

  Where are you, little sister?

  “Senora, would you like help with your bags?”

  An elderly Mexican man moved closer. From the look of his baggy torn clothes and unkempt hair, he was not a wealthy man. Jinn smiled at him.

  “Thank you, sir. I need a cab to get to my brother’s home. Would you mind calling one for me? I don’t speak a lick of Spanish, unfortunately.”

  “My name is Manolo, but you can call me Manny. I would be honored to drive you there myself! Please, come with m
e.” He reached for her duffle bag, his hands worn and calloused.

  “Thank you. I’m Jinn.”

  She let go of her bag and followed him into the parking lot to a beat up old Jeep. Paint peeled off, and there was rust along the bottom of the doors, but it appeared to be a tough little auto.

  A gentleman, he stored her belongings in the back then held the door for her, helping her inside before closing it tight. Once he’d climbed into the driver’s seat, he closed the windows and started up the air conditioning.

  “Manny, did you get my orders?”

  “Yes, Sergeant. Everything is in place for when we arrive at your destination. There has been no word about the team or your sister. I’m sorry.”

  Teeth clenched, Jinn nodded then watched the scenery pass by. Julie? Can you hear me? When still there was no answering call, she took out her cell phone and punched the speed dial button and called Pearson’s private number.

  “Any word?”

  “Sorry Sarg. Not a sound. Oh, and by the way, you weren’t gone more than an hour when the Major began searching for you. I assured him that I have no idea where you are and haven’t heard from you.”

  “Keep it that way. I’m not available from this point forward. I won’t have the cell with me. He can’t track me with this disposable. I’ll be back as soon as I can to face the music. Bye.”

  Jinn hung up then turned the phone over, removing the battery.

  “You can keep this for me, Manny, but out of sight.”

  “You know I’ll be careful. Our operatives may seem harmless, but we’re a powerful lot. The Trident is moving into other gang areas and blowing away the competition, literally. It’s been rumored that they plan to send a shipment of cocaine to Washington D.C. in the next few weeks. They’ve already killed hundreds of people with their specially graded drugs. The victims are said to suffer extremely painful deaths.”

  “Once I get my sister to safety, I’ll help you get rid of them, with pleasure.”

  “You have quite a name for yourself, from what I understand, Sergeant. You are known to be deadly when up against the enemy.”

  Jinn gave him a wry grin. “Don’t believe everything you hear, my friend. I’m just a tourist who came to Mexico on vacation.”

  “Sí, Senorita. I understand.” His warm chuckle took some of the edge off her words as he drove. They didn’t speak again for a few long minutes until they pulled up at a small building.

  “Is this your home, Manny?”

  “No. It’s a safe house. You’ll stay here until you’re ready to move out. I have many eyes watching over you until you are in the forest. We haven’t been followed.”

  “I won’t be here more than a few hours. I have a job to do and no time to relax.”

  “No doubt. I wish you well on your search. Your gear is stored beneath the floorboards. Let me show you.”

  Manny stopped the Jeep and moved to get her bag. Jinn headed to the house, caution marking her every step. For a few seconds, she closed her eyes, her palm on the door handle. Wild birds sang in the distance. She also heard what sounded like the huff of a large feline.

  Satisfied that no one waited within; she nodded at him and opened the door. When she stepped inside, heat blasted her from the enclosed space, but she ignored it and studied the single room. It smelled of dirt and decay, testament of the glass being smashed out of the windows long ago.

  Sparse furniture was scattered around the hut. A wooden table with two chairs and a double bed that had seen better days took up most of the space though there was a small area designated for an indoor bathroom with no sign of plumbing.

  “Sorry, but you’ll have to use the outhouse. Comfort costs money and money brings attention from the wrong people.”

  “I’ll change and we can be on our way. Get the gear together. I want to see what we’ve got. Make sure you leave the gun unloaded. I like to take care of the weapons myself.”

  “Yes, Sergeant.”

  While Manny opened the floor panel and brought out the supplies and weaponry, Jinn changed into black cotton pants and a black tank top. She would switch to camouflaged clothing once she was deep in the forest. Too many people were pulled over by the authorities and searched on the roads due to the number of gangs in the area.

  Manny never stared at her while she dressed, all business as he worked. When Jinn was ready, she checked the guns and knives in her bag as she ensured they met her specifications. The metallic sound of each gun being loaded with precision filled the room.

  “It looks good. I’m ready to go, Manny.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to rest up?”

  “No time. Let’s go.”

  “I’ll check to make sure all is clear. The farthest I can take you is to the border of the forest. Your sister’s team, if they were searching for The Trident, would be a day’s travel from this location. The compass included in your kit is set to show you the direction you should follow. Stay off the main paths once you are inside the forest. They are watched carefully.”

  “Noted.”

  “Good luck, Sergeant. I don’t envy you the journey.”

  “When I catch the bastards who hurt my sister, they’ll wish they’d never heard of us. Stay safe, Manny. I appreciate your help.”

  Thirty minutes later, Jinn stepped beneath the cool canopy of the rainforest and breathed a sigh of relief. The scent of flowers, vegetation, and rich soil filled her senses. Though her chest still hurt, her sister didn’t answer her silent call.

  Be all right, Julie. I’m counting on you.

  ***

  Pain. Agonizing, burning pain was all he could feel from head to toe. Tab lost count of the hours since they’d been captured, the enemy taking turns at him, yet nothing would make him give in. Nothing except death, and he was close to wishing for one.

  Angel lay tied up on the floor, naked and curled into fetal position. Guilt and fury were the only two things that kept up his resolve. The occasional shout or cry from the others rang out in the air as they were questioned. He knew that none of them would tell the bastards a thing. The only thing he couldn’t figure out was how The Trident had found out about the mission. The only teammate who was relatively new in the past two years was Murphy. Tab wasn’t sure if the boy was still alive. Only twenty-two years old, Murphy had earned the respect of the entire TT&T members within weeks of joining them.

  It can’t be him. But who?

  As waves of anguish rolled through his mind at his inability to get the team out of the mess they’d fallen into, Tab groaned. It was the treatment of the two women he hated himself for most of all. The modern-day military was a generous mix of male and female soldiers. The women opted to use medical means to prevent their monthly cycles from interfering with their jobs. Both males and females chose personally whether to use anti-stimulants to prevent sexual arousal. The rules were to stay focused at all times and no personal relationships. The public had no idea what the military did to keep the soldiers in line.

  Angel chose to use the preferred method, but it made her body resistant to male intrusion since she was unable to prepare for a sexual act. Each TT&T soldier knew what could happen if they were caught, and accepted it.

  None of the men attempted to rape her after the first man dared to touch her. He lay on the ground, dead. His eyes were wide with shock, even in death. Angel lay there exhausted from using her natural ability to send an electric charge through his body. She seldom allowed anyone to touch her without permission.

  For the hundredth time, Tab struggled against his bonds, blood dripping down his wrists from where the skin was rubbed raw. How the hell can I get my team to safety? Shit!

  Two of his most hated adversaries entered the tent, grinning. One kicked Angel in the ribs, the other moved to stand in front of Tab.

  “Ready for another round, or will you tell us what we want to know?”

  Tab didn’t answer, keeping his one opened eye on the man, lips pressed tight as he waited for wh
at he knew was coming. The man didn’t let him down as a fist struck out, doubling Tab over at the strength of the punch to his ribs. He heard the sharp crack as one of them broke, and blacked out...

  ***

  Silence but for the sounds of the forest creatures was all Jinn heard as she stood and watched a dark figure stumble through the thick bushes toward her. Heavy breathing spoke more than words that the person was either exhausted, or injured, or both. The eight-inch long military dagger Jinn held in her fist remained steady as she prepared to fight. To her surprise, it was a woman in commando clothing who fell forward, landing on her knees in the rich loam. Only six feet away, she raised her head as though listening and stared right at Jinn.

  There’s no way she can see me with all this camouflage and brush cover.

  “You’ll have to kill me. I’m not giving up.” Hard, husky, and completely without emotion, the soft voice floated in the air between them.

  Jinn was startled. How is it possible she knows I’m here?

  “State your name, soldier,” Jinn growled low in her throat, disguising her voice. Before stepping out in full view, she slipped a mesh mask over her head to hide her identity since the woman would know her as Julie.

  “Jennings, Sophia, Private First Class.”

  “You seem to be lost, Private Jennings. What are you doing here?” Jinn knew exactly what the woman was doing—running for her life.

  Wild strands of long blonde hair framed a dirty, sweat covered face as doe-brown eyes filled with defeat and anger watched Jinn warily. Dark blood stains covered her cheek and neck, the wound above her eye still dripping slightly.

  “I thought I’d take a stroll and ended up here. Strange place to put a damned forest, if you ask me.”

  The sarcasm brought a grin to Jinn’s face though the woman wouldn’t see it through the camouflage. Against her better judgment, Jinn found she liked Jennings and decided to lay off the interrogation. Once the dagger was sheathed, she stepped forward and handed over her water canteen.