Complication

Chapter Fourteen

The land rose and fell around them as they navigated past freshly opened fissures. They were making good time even with an injured comrade. Still, at their pace it would take hours to get out of the quarry, and the longer they lingered the more likely it was that the ground would open up beneath them. Already, the Great River was no longer disappearing into the torn ground but gushing out of it, having filled in the gaps quicker than they could open.

 “We need to find higher ground, fast.”

“Up the cliff?” Michael asked.

“No, higher.” Debora pointed to the distance.

Down the pass they could see the shiny surface of colorful hot-air-balloon floating on the horizon. They ran toward it, the hurt twin on his brother’s back.

They made it to the camp and were pleased to see that Glen kept the balloons ready, just in case they had need of a quick exit. A quick exit was exactly what they needed. The sky was already littered with them and a few more sat ready on the ground. The twins got into one basket. Michael, Debora, and Charlie hopped in another. They were anchored to the ground by ropes and stakes. Michael pulled at his rope, but it wouldn’t budge. A twin unsheathed a large knife from his pack and sliced his basket free. They lifted with surprising speed. He threw the blade down and it stuck in the ground beside Michael’s balloon.

Michael doubled over the edge and pulled it out. As he did, someone grabbed his arm. Michael raised the knife and jabbed at his attacker. The ninja-woman drew her face back and the blade narrowly missed puncturing her cheek. Michael flinched when he saw her. “Ninja,” he yelped.

“This is the ninja that beat you up?” Debora asked.  

A soft smile of amusement appeared on the ninja’s face. She took hold of Michael’s wrist, twisted and squeezed. The knife came loose and she turned it on him. Debora sighed disappointedly.

“Get out of the basket Charlie,” she said, “come with me.” Charlie didn’t move. She had no time to plea, the ground was rumbling. A look back showed a mountain of mist looming in their direction. “Fine.” She swiped the blade and the rope made a clean break. She ran to one of the few remaining balloons. The sound of water roared. A silver wall came sweeping down the slope. She cut her own rope and the basket heaved upward just as the water trampled the first tents flat.

Not far above the hectic rush of the water, inside the basket, it was almost still and peaceful. The higher they got, the more peaceful it became. The rush of the water was as tame as the wind against their balloon. Over the canyon’s peaks, the warmth of the sun was still at work. Michael drank it in, eyes closed, breath deep.

A shadow crowded out Michael’s sun and he heard Debora’s startled voice, “Brace yourselves.”

Michael opened his eyes just as the two baskets collided, taking everyone off their feet. The balloons smashed together and they lost a noticeable amount of elevation. The ninja woman reached across, grabbed Charlie, and pulled him halfway into her basket. Charlie threw his arms about making it difficult. Debora grabbed Charlie’s legs and pulled back.

Michael shouted, “Debora, let him go.” Debora shouted something back that was between an answer and a grunt. Either way, Michael knew what she meant. He helped by taking one of Charlie’s legs.

With one hand the woman pulled out the knife, but Charlie’s thrashing knocked it free as quickly as she produced it. It dropped and disappeared against the color of the water.

The balloons began to separate, linked only by Charlie’s stretched body. The force would be too great; it was a link that would not hold. Debora released her grasp, put a knee on the rim of the basket, held on to the upright bar and leaned out with the greatest reach she could. She swung a closed fist at the woman’s face. It was hard enough to make the woman fall back.