A Spy's Home---Book 2: Wounds, Both Old and New

Chapter 26

Jamila was down, and I turned to Carlos. I gave him a thumbs up and he returned it. We followed the continued sound of sobbing as we sprinted down the hall. I knocked the door knob off with the metal rod, and looked in. A little girl with black hair, and tan skin, was curled up on the ground with a tear stained face.

"Susie?" Carlos called. Susie's head shot up and she jumped into Carlos's arms, while continuing to sob. "Shh, shh. Susie, you have to be quiet." he told her, stroking her hair. It warmed my heart to see these two reunite, but we needed to leave. I patted Carlos on the shoulder, and gestured to him that we need to go.

After giving me a nod, Carlos picked up Susie and carried her out of the room, but who did we find waiting for us? None other than Cree. I tensed, but put myself between Carlos, and Cree.

Cree lunged at me, but I dodged and nudged Carlos and Susuie toward the staircase. "Get her out of here. This is my fight." I ordered. I knew Carlos wanted to argue, but he followed my command and I heard him race down the staircase with Susie.

Cree recovered, and tackled me, and this time I wasn't quick enough to dodge. His body slammed into mine, and I hit the ground, my head slamming into the concrete. My vision scattered, and I grunted as I tried to get my much needed oxygen back into my lungs.

Cree was over me when I finally cleared my sight, and he brought his hands down on to my neck, blocking my airways. As I gagged and coughed while the beefy hands tightened around my throat, I saw Cree giving me a vicious smile.

I then remember his words when he had me pinned down all those years ago, "You can't worm your way out of every single problem." I then remembered a trick Rory had shown me at the Academy after that experience; I stuck my hands underneath Cree's arms and pushed them from underneath him.

Cree's hands slipped off my throat, and I took my window of opportunity. I rammed my knees into his torso, and pushed upwards, and I saw him tumble over me. I heard a loud thud, and I rolled over on my elbows and stomach to find Cree laying a few feet away unconscious. I caught my breath, thankful that was over, and I got to my feet, and rushed down-stairs.

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Carlos's Point of View

I was looking over Susie, making sure she didn't have any scrapes or bruises, when I heard a loud thudding sound coming from the hospital. "Susie, stay right here. I'll be right back." I exclaimed, as I backed away into the hospital.

Before I could make it up one step of the stairwell, Zylina came speeding down the steps. "Are you alright?" I asked. There were red marks all across her throat area. She swallowed, nodded, and replied with, "Yeah, yeah...I'm fine. Where's Susie?"

I gestured outside, and answered, "Come on." We ran out, and found Susie in the same place I left her in. I took her back into my arms, and cradled her lovingly. "Alright, let's get back to the motel, and call the police." I heard Zylina say. I quickly nodded in agreement. We sped to the motel across the street, and I dialed the police, informing them of the situation. 

TBC...