The Red Doves

Chapter XXIII

         On the way to the mountain, Alan kept staring at Jasminia in the front mirror. She was innocently playing with her bunny plush at the back of the car, while singing a little children song in loop. Suziky, as for her, was hitting Alan's arms with her elbow to tell him to stop looking at her. She tried to engage a conversation with some codes so Jasminia doesn't get a doubt of what was really going on.

- So, how are we going to get my friend's cousins? Do we all get in?

Alan looked at her, confused, then entered in her game, remembering the young girl was in the car with them.

- I think we should both get in. He might be surprised but it's better this way.

- What about me? asked Jasminia, like nothing weird was happening.

- You might want to stay in the car and wait here, dear, said Alan.

- But I want to see the other boy too.

- Jasminia, Alan is just scared to lose you, that's all, said Suziky while giving a look at Alan. Plus, you will see him when we'll get back.

- I won't be lost. The house can't be that big.

- It is, continued Alan. It is way bigger than yours, that's why you should stay here.

- But-

- End of the discussion, concluded Alan, looking at the road.

The three people stayed silent for the rest of the ride. Alan kept looking at Jasminia through the mirror at some moments. The kid wasn't paying attention and was making her bunny dance on her lap. Suziky kept her eyes on the valley passing to her window. The green grass and trees soon became brown dirt and grey rocks everywhere.
At the bottom of the mountain, after driving for half an hour, Alan stopped the car and got out of it to then walk at the back of the automobile. When Suziky opened her door, the tiny hand of Jasminia was holding her arm.

- Why can't I come with you? she asked. I don't want to stay alone in the car, she then mentioned.

- Because Alan said that you have to stay here and I think you should too.

- But what if someone come and steal the car with me?

- It won't happen, I promise, said Suziky to comfort Jasminia.

She was about to get out but Jasminia didn't let her arm go.

- When will you be back?

- Well... Alan and I need to walk up there so it might take us 5 minutes or more, answered Suziky.

- That's all? asked Jasminia.

- Depending on how much time we take to bring Ni- I mean my friend's cousin back, we should be back soon enough, continued Suziky.

- Will you be fast?

- Yes, we'll try to be as fast as possible, just for you. Ok?

- Ok, said the kid, now letting the arm of Suziky go.

The young adult closed the door then waved to Jasminia from the window but she had her eyes on her plush, once again. Suziky walked to the back of the car where Alan was closing the door of the boot.

- Think fast, he said, throwing 2 daggers to her.

She caught them both – thanks to her training – and attached them to her belt. She covered them by closing the grey coat she was wearing. Alan was doing the same with his black coat. They both checked the rest of their equipment and left the automobile to take the dirty road leading to the front door of Parker's base.
While they were walking, nothing happened : no traps. Everything was calm. Luckily. Suziky didn't want to explain to Jasminia why there were strings, lasers and weapons on the road, later in the car. They kept walking and further they were going, further the car was. After a big three minutes, the engine was out of the young adults' view.
They were now seeing the big red door at some feet of them. As Suziky continued to walk, Alan stopped her, putting his arm in front of her.

- Why are you stopping? she asked him.

- The ground under us... It's vibrating.

He was right. Under her feet, Suziky could feel some weird vibrations. Alan kneeled down and put his ear close to the ground. His eyes opened wide and he stood back on his feet, pushing Suziky out of the way.

- Move! he screamed and he jumped on her, protecting her head with his arm while a big explosion sent flying many pieces of rock in the air above them.

The tiny rocks fell back on the ground and Alan straightened himself back. He held a hand out to Suziky, waiting for her to take it. She grabbed it and went back on her feet, thanking Alan for his help. They both turned their attention on the big hole who appeared in the middle of the way between them and the door.

- What was that? said Suziky.

- I don't know, let me think, said Alan with sarcasm.

- Ok, dumb question, sorry.
Alan took a look at the hole. He turned around, walking away from the hole and then started running back to it as fast as possible. Suziky let out a scream as he jumped above the hole without problem and landed on the other side, near the dark crater.

- Come on, jump, he said, looking at Suziky.

- Are you crazy? You could have died!

- I know that, but that's not the point. Now jump.

- Forget it, I'll never be able to land correctly or even touch the other side.

- You will. I'll catch you if necessary, Alan continued.

- Alan, compared to you, I'm short. My legs are not long enough to run as fast and jump as high.

- It's not a question of height, but of time.

Suziky looked at the hole and backed off. Alan approached the extremity of it and put his hands in front of him.

- Come. I'm ready to catch you.

- Alan, I can't...

- You will do it. I believe in you, Suzy.

- Right..., said Suziky using sarcasm too.

- It's true, I always did.

- Still, I can't...

- Don't think of it, just jump.

- Alan... I'm scared..., admitted Suziky.

Alan looked into Suziky's eyes, so did she. As his were completely calm and confident, the boy could see that hers were scared and panicked. He could also read some pain in them.

- Suziky, jump, he restarted.

- No, Alan. Continue without me. I don't want to jump.

- Suzy, I won't let you fall. I would never let you fall, you hear me?

She stared at the ground, holding her tears in. The fear of falling in the hole was nothing compared to the fear of Alan letting her down.

- Suzy, trust me.

The girl looked back up, her eyes into her friend's. She backed away from the hole slowly and took a big breath. After repeating to herself Alan's words in loop, she ran to the hole and jumped.