Within fifteen minutes they had gotten everything they needed into their military vehicles, weapons and all they took Tamara with them but Dassa could tell there was something awfully wrong but she didn't dare to ask. She was scared. They sped through the desert leaving a cloud of dust behind and before them.
"What is going on?" Dassa mustered courage to ask.
The white soldier who drove spoke as a voice came over the walkie talkie and Dante pushed the button to respond.
"The Sheik's daughter is missing"
"What?"
"He thinks we have her"
"My brother?, is he safe?"
"He is, we rescued him and a few servants"
"Where are we going, the border?" Tamara asked.
"We do hope we can make it to the border"
He replied.
"Listen……" It was Dante, putting down the walkie talkie and joining in the conversation.
"…….that was the captain, if we can make it right here, we can get you out of here, there is a team moving in right down to pick you up" He showed them a section on a map.
"How far is that?" Tamara asked.
"Let me see that" Dassa snatched the map even before he could give it.
"That is far east"
Dante turned to look at her and smiled.
:That’s right"
"It will take us a day or two to get there"
They were interrupted by the revving of an engine, and the next thing they saw was the car two vehicles ahead go up in flames and thensummersault to the side of the road.
"Oh my God what's happening?"
"GET DOWN! Dante screamed in time as bullets broke into the windshield and the back seats but the driver wouldn’t stop, they couldn’t really see who was shooting but they all had a good idea who was behind it. The driver accelerated and wouldn’t stop. The Americans shot back at them from their cars but they wouldn’t stop and soon it became pretty clear who was attacking them. The Sheik's Caliphate. They all wore army regalia and had a red band on their left arms. Dassa caught a glimpse of them, they were few but they had pretty powerful weapons.
In what seemed like forever the shooting stopped but they wouldn’t raise their heads. Both girls were shaken to the core from the violence and near death experience.
Is everyone okay?
Dante asked.
"Yes…..i think so" Dassa said as she looked to Tamara for confirmation that she too was fine.
And that was when the driver coughed out blood.
"Jesus, Mike you alright?"
"He got me, damn sons of bitches got me" He said wheezing.
Without even thinking, Dassa opened the door, got out, she could hear Dante scream a bunch of words but all she could make out was…..
"Are you crazy?"
"We need to save him" She said as she examined his wound.
"It's bad" Dassa looked up to Dante who was already putting pressure on the wound.
"You need to get out of here" Mike said.
"Can you get it out?"
"It's too risky, it's too close to his heart, I can't risk it"
Dante sighed and grabbed his walkie talkie.
He asked for help and announced that help would come in a few minutes.
"Hang in there bro, we'll get you out of here soon"
They waited for nearly twenty five minutes and the helicopter arrived.
Quickly they got Mike into it.
"You guys go ahead, I'll have to go back"
"You'll have to come with us"
"I can't do that"
"Captains orders"
"Wait..no you can't leave us here, you'll have to take us with you"
"There isn't any space for two"
"Are you kidding me, you can't leave them here" Dante said.
"Your order soldier is to return with us"
"I need to speak with the captain"
The grey haired American said sternly and handed what looked like a phone to Dante, he walked away and spoke into it. Then returned seconds later.
"I'm sorry but I can't do that"
"Are you disobeying an order"
"I swore to protect lives not endanger them and I will not leave these two here to die, not on my watch. One of them goes with you"
Dante said, turning to Tamara.
"No way!, I won't leave her" Tamara retorted.
"Tamara listen you have to go, Dante and I will find a way to get to you"
"No!" Tamara refused.
"We have no time, a man is dying here"
"I am not going!" Tamara screamed.
"Fine" The grey haired man said and turned to walk away.
"Please go with them, you have to" Dassa tried to convince Tamara but she wouldn't listen.
"I can't Dassa"
"I promise, we will find you, right here, right?" She pointed on the map and turned to Dante.
"Yes" He nodded,
"You can't help us when you have your weapons and rank snatched from you and I wouldn’t want you to lose your job dishonorablybecause of us, if God wills it, we will meet again, now go" She said as the propellers began to spin.
Dante nodded and run towards the helicopter, got in and they both watched it lift.
"Come on Tamara, if we are going to catch them at base, we need to start walking"
"We will die"
"No we won't"
Dassa walked back to the car, picked a small gallon of water which was barely even full.
"That won't take us across the desert, and besides do you even know where you are going, I can't believe he left us"
"He had no choice Tamara"
"You always have a choice" Tamara said amidst tears. She was obviously scared.
Dassa said nothing.
YOU ARE READING
BLOOD BY THE HAND OF GUILT
Mystery / Thriller"Blood by the hand of guilt" tells a story of a girl whose world is torn apart by greed corruption and blood shed. Her faith becomes the only barrier between her and vengeance. But when her veil and family are snatched from her she makes a vow that...
