Chapter 14 #3
My heart tried to punch through my ribcage, and I could hardly breathe.
A thick, gnarled root stuck out of the rock just above me. I gripped it with my aching fingers, my knuckles burning. Finding a foothold, I pressed my forehead against the stone and paused to rest. I breathed in the earthy air and listened to my heart pound in my ears.
"You've got this," Mitch called up.
I almost laughed. It came out as a sob.
"Stop messing around," Doug growled. "Climb, goddammit."
"Piss off."
"Climb, or I'll shoot you." His tone was upbeat, almost sing-song.
"Oh yeah? Why don't you, huh?" I shot him a death stare. "You're gutless, that's why."
Doug shifted the gun toward my knee. "I've seen a man take a bullet through his kneecap. Trust me, it's painful."
I sucked in a breath. Was he serious? "What are you messed up in, Doug?"
"You don't want to know." As he shook his head, I sensed regret in his gaze, but it vanished in a flash. "Go."
"Charlie!" Mitch yelled. "You can do this."
Turning my gaze upward, I searched for my next handhold and pulled myself higher.
Why is he keeping me alive?
As I climbed onto another ledge, the answer wormed into my mind. He needed me as security. Mitch would do anything Doug said while that gun was aimed at me.
By the time I reached the halfway point, every muscle in my body was burning. My hands were covered in scratches, my thumb was bleeding, and several fingernails were broken from clawing at rocks. My arms trembled so badly I could barely hold on.
And it was so damn hot, sweat oozed from every pore.
Though I couldn't see the sun beyond the ravine, as it rose, it painted the walls in shades of red and gold that would excite any artist.
Every time I pushed off the stone, the chafing skin on my heels stung like hell. Blisters were forming, adding to all my other pains.
"How much further?" I gasped.
"Just twenty feet," Doug said. "Keep climbing."
I didn't know if I could make it.
"Charlie." Mitch's voice floated up from below. "You're doing great. Just keep going. One hand at a time."
"I can't," I whispered. "I can't do this."
"Yes, you can."
"My fingers hurt." Clutching a rock with one hand, I studied my bloody fingertips on the other. Tears blurred my vision, and a whimper burst from my lips.
"I know it hurts, Charlie." Mitch's voice was so gentle. "But you're almost there. Just a little further."
My stomach cramped. My body was running on empty.
"Charlie," Mitch said. "You're not giving up now. You can do this."
His absolute certainty made me nod. "Okay. Okay." I focused on the rock in front of me.
"That's it," Mitch said. "One handhold. One foothold. One breath at a time. You've got this."
Doug grunted. "Touching. Now shut up and climb."
"Leave her alone, asshole!" Mitch's tone was deadly.
Doug kicked at some rocks, dislodging them, and they tumbled down onto Mitch's head.
"Doug. Don't!" I bellowed until my throat hurt.
"Then go!" he barked.
"Mitch, are you okay?" I tried to see him below, but Doug blocked my view.
"I’m fine. Just keep going."
I glared at Doug. Then, turning back to the stone, I muttered, "Asshole."
I clawed my way up. Slowly. Painfully. When my hand finally closed around a clump of grass at the top of the ravine, tears stung my eyes. I hauled my body over the edge and collapsed onto the muddy earth, gasping for air, every part of me shaking.
Doug scrambled up a minute later, breathing hard, and immediately crawled away from the edge and from me.
Mitch powered out of the ravine and raced to my side. "You did it," he said, crouching beside me. "Charlie, you did it."
I couldn't answer. I could barely breathe.
"That was amazing." He brushed hair from my face, his thumb tracing my cheek. "You're amazing."
I managed a weak laugh. "I'm a mess."
"Yeah." A smile curled across his lips. "A hell of a mess."
"On your feet," Doug ordered, standing back from us. "Both of you."
Mitch stood, offering me his hand. I took it, letting him pull me upright.
Doug had the rifle aimed at us. Beyond him, the landscape stretched endlessly. Red dirt, sparse vegetation, and nothing but wilderness in every direction. The rising sun hung just off the horizon, already baking the earth.
No buildings. No roads. Nothing.
"What now?" Mitch asked, stepping in front of me.
Doug aimed his rifle at me. "You take us back to our site office."
"That's miles from here." Mitch scraped his hand down his beard. "In this heat, without water…"
Doug's eyes looked crazed again. "Then start walking." He gestured behind us. "Let's go."
I took a step forward, and pain scraped across my heel. I gasped and stumbled.
Mitch caught my arm. "What's wrong?"
I clenched my fists, forcing down the agony. "I'm fine." I winced with my next step.
He glanced down at my boots, then back at my face, concern darkening his eyes. "Blisters?"
I nodded.
"Shit." He glanced over his shoulder at Doug, then back at me. "Can you walk?"
"Yes," I lied.
I had to. What choice did I have?
One foot in front of the other. That's all I had to do.
I just didn't know how long I could keep doing it.