The Daughter Extraction

Desperate Plunge

•LUNA•

"Take the next left." Alec's voice, gruff and strained, cut through the tense air. I shot him a worried look.

His condition was deteriorating rapidly, his face growing paler, sweat beading on his forehead. The wound on his arm wasn't letting up, despite his makeshift bandage.

Swerving the car left, we approached an intersection. I glanced out the window, spotting a bridge in the distance. It seemed like it led to the outskirts of town – a safer zone. I marveled at Alec's quick thinking, even in his weakened state.

My excitement dimmed when I noticed flashing red and blue lights near the bridge – a line of police cars forming a barrier.

"What are we going to do? The police are waiting at the bridge," I voiced my concern.

Alec, breathing heavily, remained silent. 

"Just keep driving," he finally said, his cold glare making it clear not to question him.

"But there's no way we'll make it past the cops," I argued.

"We won't get caught. Just do what I say," he asserted, determination in his eyes. 

I tightened my grip on the wheel, trusting his CIA instincts, unsure of what risky move he had in mind.

As we neared the police blockade, officers stood ready, guns aimed at us.

"Drive closer to this side of the bridge," Alec instructed. I complied, but still had no clue about his plan.

"Get ready to jump when I tell you to," he ordered, opening his door.

"What?!"

"Five seconds," he counted down, hanging onto the grab handle, half his body outside.

Fear gripped me as the police closed in, guns poised, ready to open fire when we stopped. This is crazy! Is he trying to get us killed first?

My heart raced as I watched Alec, hanging perilously out of his seat, a chilling fear gripping me. The panic surged through my veins as he began counting down.

"Three....two....."

In a rush of desperation, I shifted from the driver's seat to occupy the space Alec had left, preparing myself to follow him off the bridge.

"One!" A jolt of surprise shot through me as Alec's injured arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to his side.

Together, we leaped out of the car, plunging into the abyss below. The fall from fifteen feet felt endless, the terror palpable as we plummeted into the awaiting lake.

Submerged underwater, I felt Alec's arm momentarily loosen, and panic seized me. Struggling against the resistance, I fought my way to the surface, only to find Alec's hand grabbing mine underwater, pulling me further into the depths.

Desperation clawed at my lungs as I clung on, the burning need for air overwhelming.

Finally, Alec swam towards the surface, and we emerged gasping for air. Calming down, I glanced around to realize we were far from where we fell.

Following Alec, we swam to the shore, and concern etched my face as he collapsed, clutching his injured arm.

The urge to help him surged, but the reality of our situation hit – we couldn't risk hospitals, no first aid kit in sight. There was nothing I could do.

Drenched and shivering, I stood there, watching Alec lying on the ground, breaths escaping him heavily with his eyes closed.

"Are you okay?" I hesitantly asked.

His eyes opened, and we locked gazes, silent understanding passing between us. He slowly rose to his feet, surprising me with his composure despite his injured arm and our recent leap off a moving car and into the lake.

"I'm good. You?" he asked, and I nodded slowly.

I observed as he effortlessly retrieved his backpack from the ground, which surprisingly was still attached to him despite our chaotic descent into the water.

"Let's go," he said, leaving me bewildered yet trusting his lead, unsure of his intentions but knowing I had to follow.