The Candles

9

Logan could barely hear Jane inside his head as wind riped away at his helmet. He spotted Ava opening her chute below him. He counted to three before pulling the ripcord. A bright red chute was release from the old canvas bag. As the chute caught the air, Logan felt the pack pulling on him, slowing his fall.

Logan took a deep breath, relieved the chute had completely opened. His shoulder was emptying itself of blood, creating a big red stain on his shirt's sleeve. Logan looked around and saw the plane getting lower than he was, flying straight for the gulf.

"No," Logan whispered, his voice cracking. He heard Jane's sobbing somewhere in his head. Logan watched as the plane approached the gulf dangerously. He looked away when it crashed into the water.

Ava had landed below him. Logan saw police boats racing towards her, lights flashing brightly. Logan landed twenty meters away from her, letting the cool water pull him down. He was careful not to let the chute trap him under as he made his way back to the surface. He felt the salty water fill his shoes and soak his clothes. He quickly pulled the pack off and swam away from the sinking chute.

Ava was swimming towards him, her hands shaking. Logan could barely make out her shape "Logan!" she shouted. Logan grabbed her arm, making sure she was really alive. He cursed.

"I can't believe it!" he shouted. Ava grabbed his face and gave him a long kiss.

Ava pulled away. "Look!" Ava cried, pointing at the wrecked plane. Someone had emerged from the wreck and was climbing on top of a piece of aluminium. "Who is that?" Logan couldn't believe someone had survived.

They tore off their goggles and helmet and threw them away. They would only weigh them down. Logan was starting to feel dizzy from blood loss.

"Oh my God, I can't believe I lost them," Jane's faint, choppy voice said.

"Did you hear that?" Ava asked, frowning.

"The water must've soaked the com devices when we were under," Logan said.

"It's a wonder we can still hear her," Ava said, grinning.

"I don't think she can hear us though." Logan beamed.

"Logan, don't joke about this," Ava said angrily. "She thinks we're dead! It must be horrible for her."

A police boat slowed to a stop ten meters away from them. They threw a ladder over the side of the boat. Ava climbed onto the deck, quickly followed by Logan, who struggled to climb from his bullet wound.

A small woman joined them as someone gave them blankets to dry off. "You two must be the agents Jane was talking about. It's an honor to finally meet agents from JAYES."

Ava and Logan glanced at each other, worried. The small woman chuckled. "Don't worry, I've known the existence of your organization for a few years now. I've worked alongside Jane Gauthier on several missions." She turned to her crew and shouted orders: "Retrieve the parachutes and get this boat away from here. The media can't know these two survived." Both agents were glad for her quick thinking.

"Can- can we speak to Jane?" asked Ava. "She thinks we're dead."

"And I'm pretty sure she's going to have a heart attack."