𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 - JJ Maybank

Chapter 123: When It Breaks

Grace ignored the throbbing, burning pain radiating throughout her entire left arm and stretching up to her collarbone. It was a difficult undertaking, especially given their constant movement and pounding steps against the sandy ground.

With the sun beating down as she trekked a rocky, uneven hill towards the statue, she kept her body moving rhythmically, knowing that if she slowed down, she might not be able to continue.

"Gracie, keep going up and find cover! I've got an idea!" JJ shouted from close behind her as he peered over his shoulder at the incoming Corsairs.

Grace did as she was told, crouching down behind a decrepit brick wall. Just as she suspected, the wound that tore through the flesh of her arm was only more painful upon stopping.

JJ was quick to catch up, ducking down beside her, a look of determination sewn into his features. "Let the first few go by..." he murmured, watching as a few mercenaries paraded past.

Grace nodded, letting only her eyes poke out over the bricks to watch. Despite the pain, she was still on the offence, ready to attack.

The men shouted vague orders or encouragements at each other as sand blew from above and coated their bodies in a thin layer of dust.

JJ watched with extreme focus, knowing that a mess-up here would be disastrous. "We got one. We'll pick him off," he decided, relaying the idea to Grace at a whisper.

"We've got this," Grace said, surprisingly confidently despite the never-ending panic she'd been feeling for the last couple of days. Something about working with JJ made her relax a bit more. They were a good team; they didn't need to speak to communicate, and they cared about each other so much that there was nothing that would stop either of them from protecting the other.

JJ shuffled out from behind the wall, placing himself out into the open. He waited until only one Corsair was strolling past. The last member of the group. Sucking in air, he blew out a sharp whistle that cut through the wind. "Right here!" JJ called, waving the Corsair over.

Like a shark to blood, the Corsair immediately responded. He cocked his gun and rounded the corner just as JJ dove back behind the brick wall.

"Okay," Grace muttered, hands poised against the wall.

"Okay," JJ echoed as he mimicked her position.

In sync, the couple counted down at a whisper. "Three, two, one."

Grace's face scrunched up, fiery pain shooting through her arm as she and JJ pushed against the bricks with all of their might.

The rubble went flying down, leaving a trail of sand in its wake.

The dust cloud blinded them momentarily, but when it cleared, the sight filled them with relief; they had timed it perfectly.

The Corsair who was too foolish to call for backup before charging forward was positioned directly below the wall. When the bricks went slamming to the ground, so too did the man with the rifle.

"That's one!" JJ cheered triumphantly, holding a hand out that Grace promptly high-fived.

As JJ peered down at the Corsair, quickly checking for any signs of consciousness, Grace pressed a hand to the makeshift bandage that was quickly becoming saturated with blood once more. Her gaze drifted to the horizon.

Approaching in the distance was what looked like an erupting volcano. It had already been difficult to see with the fluttering sand, but now, with a full-on sandstorm speedily approaching, they had to get moving.

"We've gotta go! Come on!" Grace called before taking off.

JJ, peeling his gaze from their handiwork, was quick to follow after her, heading higher and higher up the hill, drawing nearer and nearer to the monument.