The Daughter Extraction

Leap of Faith

•ALEC•

The bustling streets of Mexico City unfolded before us, a chaotic dance of life. People flowed like a river, some leisurely strolling, others in a hurry. Luna and I maneuvered through the crowd, a pair of shadows in the midst of the lively scene.

Older men clinked glasses at a small table, laughter echoing around them.

The aroma of street food wafted through the air, mingling with the vibrant chatter of women merchants showcasing their weird items.

I kept a watchful eye, scanning faces in the sea of humanity, cautious of any potential threat recognizing us.

Luna's hand in mine, we threaded our way through the maze of stalls. Younger girls expertly flipped tortillas on griddles, creating a sizzling symphony that harmonized with the vibrant chaos surrounding us.

Stopping abruptly near the enticing aroma of the food stalls, I turned to Luna, her big green eyes filled with curiosity.

"Do you want something to eat?" I asked, noting the weariness in her expression.

Luna glanced at the array of food stalls and then back at me, a small smile playing on her lips.

"I'm good, thanks." Jesus Christ. 

I narrowed my eyes, knowing she couldn't possibly be fine after constantly being on the run.

"You should eat something," I insisted, ignoring the protest in her expression.

Turning toward a woman cooking at a stall, I pulled out a wad of cash from my pocket and ordered some street tacos for both of us. The scent of Mexican spices filled the air as I handed Luna her food, noting the reluctance in her acceptance.

As we stood in front of the food stalls, eating hastily acquired street food, I savored the taste of real fucking food after hours of neglecting my own hunger. Luna's expression revealed a mix of gratitude and reluctance as she took each bite.

Amidst the flavors, my eyes kept scanning our surroundings. I couldn't shake the need to ensure our safety before we continued our journey.

We were far from secure, exposed in the open like this. None of us was safe yet, and finding a secluded spot became paramount before radioing my crew for extraction.

I noticed Luna slowly turning around, and confusion filled my eyes as I followed her gaze.

"Don't look now, but I think that man inside is staring at us," She whispered, attempting nonchalance while nibbling on her taco.

Casually glancing inside, my eyes collided with a stranger fixated on us. I quickly looked away, catching him pulling out his phone, never breaking eye contact.

Fuck.

My protective instincts kicked in. Dumping the remaining food on the roadside, I turned to Luna, placing my hand on the small of her back, urging her to walk.

"Don't look back, and keep your head down," I instructed, pushing her cap lower over her face.

Gently locking my hand around her arm, we maneuvered through the bustling crowd, moving swiftly away from the food stall.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw four men trailing us through the bustling crowd. Turning back to Luna, we quickened our pace, but the men matched our speed. In a split-second decision, I pulled Luna into a narrow alley, and we climbed a staircase connecting several apartment buildings.

As we jogged through the labyrinth of structures, I looked back to find the three men closing in. We dodged past tenants, chickens, dogs, and kids, their curious and confused gazes following our frantic escape. Running for our lives, Luna let out a small scream as bullets whizzed past us.

Taking a turn, we discovered another staircase and ascended it swiftly. Spotting double doors ahead, I grabbed a thick metal rod, securing the entrance behind us.

Bullets pounded the door as Luna and I backed away. Glancing down, we realized there was no escape from the rooftop, and the only exit was under siege.

The men relentlessly pushed against the doors. Luna, flinching in surprise, witnessed their futile attempts to break the barricade. Knowing time was against us, an idea struck me when I noticed a truck parked right beside the building.

Turning to Luna, I grabbed her shoulder and made her face me.

"Do you trust me?"

Fear and confusion immediately flickered in her eyes.

"No." She answered hesitantly.

"Good," I replied with a firm nod before using my strength to push her off the roof, the only desperate escape route.