}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~{ Chapter two, Rough Landing }~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{~}{
I guess it's a fitting end... falling to my death...
I waited for my body to hit the hard city street. But it didn't come. At the last minute, an open garbage truck raced under and caught me. I landed face up in the pile of trash bags with a loud thud, but I guess its better then hitting the pavement with a splat! Sharp pains erupted in my back and making it impossible to move, so I didn't. I just lay there, staring up at the stars. The truck was going, from what I could tell, far over the speed limit.
"Jake." I whispered before I blacked out.
"Rika, wake up!"
I jolted awake. It was Jake.
"Rough landing was it?" He asked sarcastically.
"Ha-ha, vary funny. Now help me up! I can't move, I think I landed on some glass." I said straining my eyes to see his dark figure. He carefully walked over the trash and stood over me.
"This is probably going to hurt a lot." He frowned.
"Just do it quick." I said cringing. He bent down and took hold of my wrists. In one quick motion he jerked me up. I Inhaled sharply but refrained from crying out. Jake was holding me up by my shoulders.
He looked at my back, "It's pretty bad, Rika." He said with a sigh.
"Yeah, hurts just as bad."
"You were right; you landed on some glass bottles."
I cringed again as Jake tried to pulled one of the glass shards protruding from my back.
"No, don't pull them out yet." I said." Let Quinn take a look at it when we get back home. And geez, doesn't anybody recycle anymore! "
Jake stifled a laugh, "C'mon, let's get out of here."
Jake was gingerly helping me out of the garbage truck when Quinn appeared in our black van.
"Rika!" she yelled while getting out of the van. She stumbled towards me, "I was so worried! I saw you up there, on the ledge of the building, and I tried to tell you to wait while Jake found something to catch you in." she said, trying to hug me.
"No, don't!" I blurted out, but it was too late. She closed her arms around me and I felt searing pain again as she touching one of the shards that impaled me. Then just as quick as she had hugged me, she let go. Her eyes went wide and she walked around to face my back. As she disappeared from view I heard her gasp.
"Rika... I'm so sorry! I didn't know the cable would snap... oh, this all my fault." She sobbed. I spun around to face her, ignoring the pain that flared up again.
"It's not your fault, Quinn. I'm fine," I lied. "But I think we should get going now." With that Quinn and Jake each took one of my arms and helped me into the back of the van. There were no back seats in our getaway car, so they were able to lay me flat on my stomach. Quinn stayed in the back with me and Jake drove.
Ten minutes passed, "I bet the police will be delighted that you weren't able to get the Diamond." Jake said, trying to end the unconvertible silence. HA! They thought I couldn't get it. I crawled in small air ducts, evaded fifteen police officers and security guards, AND jumped off a building- not to mention the landing-. They think I would go through all that for nothing? I giggled, something I didn't do often.
"Guys, I got the Diamond." I said. Smiling I pulled it out of the pocket of my theft suit- specially designed by Quin- and set it down in front of a wide eyed Quinn.
