Rising From The Flames

Chapter 9 - The Navy

Tightening the rope in her hands, Calvin stepped onto the railing of the boat and stared downwards into the dark sea. Without a second thought though- the woman launched herself overboard and was instantly soaked to the bone. The current tossed her about, each wave pulling her further beneath the surface. It didn't amount to the empty pit she felt in the bottom of her stomach though. The creeping darkness of the waters below her were enough to make her stomach churn. 

She was stronger than it was though, she was stronger than alot.

Breaking through the surface, her first reaction was turning towards the shore. It's silhouette peeked out to her just in front of the peeking moon. Calvin wasted no time in swimming towards the docks. Being sheltered, their only option to porting themselves was from the inside of the docking shelter. That's why it was up to her.

It was a tough battle, her energy diminishing the further she went. Each wave crashed upon her as if thriving to put out the flame that burned within her. Eventually though,  she reached the tall pillars of wood and wrapped herself around it. The furthest one to the right corner, that was her instruction. Once it was tied and secured, Calvin turned pushing herself towards the nearest ladder.

The hatch that she was led to by the soggy ladder beneath her was rotted and filled with rusted bolts. It made it all the more easy for her to push it open and climb inside. Quickly she crouched in place listening to the pitch black room around her. It gave an eery feeling, almost as if something was lurking in the shadows. Soon enough though, she was able to pin it as the swaying building itself, each wave and wind rocking it back and forth beneath her very feet. The sea legs she had luckily developed came in handy once again. 

She was sharp, eyes adjusting to every corner of the room. With a quick breath though, Cal was moving towards the metal shudder that filled the entire outer wall. Whether or not it was still in functioning condition, she didn't know. Cal was going to make it in working condition, there was no option. 

With a long breath, the Marine grabbed a hold of the metal handle and planted her feet firmly. In result, the ocean water that filled her boots sloshed about adjusting to her position. Then, as soon as she knew she was ready, Cal used all her strength to pull it in her direction. At first- it only creaked. The hinges groaning as if waking from a deep sleep. 

It budged in a split second, then halted again. So, she dug harder. 

Inch by inch the moonlight from ahead drowned out the darkness, and the flashlights from the sailors before her backing it up even more.

As soon as it was open enough, Cal held her fore-arm before her eyes as each one adjusted to the new light. From there, she could see what she needed. Behind her was a wench, that's where they wanted her to hook it up.

Quickly she reached forward pulling up the rope she had tied moments ago. 

The rope just hooked on, so in a matter of minutes she was twisting the wench reeling them in like a fish on a hook.

By the time the boat was docked, her arms burned and her chest heaved- water dripping from every part of her body. 

Sanchez's cousin was the first off the boat, hand on her shoulder and a smile across his face. "Whoever said that they needed the Navy?"

All she could do was chuckle, the shaking of the cool air around her hitting her deep beneath her bones. It was up to her to hide it though, that's what she was good at. 

Jensen was one of the last people off the boat, both his bags and hers clinging tightly onto his body. 

"You good?" He asked as they joined sides. 

With a nod, her purple lips curled into a smile. "I will be." 

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Together, Sanchez's cousin led them through the forest and to a small town just off the coast. This is where they had planned to go their separate ways. 

Behind a make-shift vet shop an old jeep wrangler was parked filled with boxes and bags of equipment. The undercover guard of it stepped away and greeted the group. "It should have everything you need." the second Sanchez nodded. 

"I only asked for a few things." 

"Yeah, well-" he sighed. "-consider it taking a piece of mind." The man looked to her, his tall frame staring down at her as Jensen began loading the truck. "That fucker took a member of my family, my cousin... I know I can't go with." His eyes fell sad. "And I understand why. But do me a favor?" he began digging into his back waist band. "And kill him with this." 

The pistol was old, a white handle chipping away at the edges of the weapon. "What is this?" She asked looking at it first. 

"It was my grandfathers, then my uncle's, Sanchez's dad..." Once again, he held it out to her waiting for her to take it. "It was supposed to be his..."

Her heart beat faster. The soldier bit on her lip to keep it in. 

Fighting her wet eyes, Calvin reached forward and took it. The weight dropped her hand immediately, and before she could say anything else the old pistol found it's way into her waist band just as it was in his. All she could give him was a nod, and that was good enough for him. 

"Now go give em' hell kid." Sanchez's voice seemed to peak through for a split second, and it seemed impossible- but her already shattered heart seemed to crack a little more inside. 

Step by step she moved backwards and away from him, her eyes never leaving his. 

Then almost as if for a goodbye, she let him see it. She let him see the tear fall, she let him see just how bad she wanted this. Just how far she was willing to go to make sure it happened. 

And it will happen. 

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Hey guys! Sorry for how long this has taken! But it's happened! I have finally moved into college! It has been a crazy past week, but now that I am settled in the updates are coming again soon!!!!