The man in black led them through the jungle into an opening near the north bank of the Amazon River. The River was wide here, the opposite bank too far off in the distance to swim to. The vegetation had been stripped to accomadate two helicopters...one small, the other large. Men in dark suits mingled with people dressed in camouflage. All were carrying guns. A lot of guns.
"Yikes!" Rufus pretty well summed up the feelings of the group. "Hard to tell if they are the good guys or the bad guys."
"Only time will tell." The comment seemed especially ominous coming from Kate.
"This way." It was the guy dressed all in black. He signaled for them to go ahead of him. He kept his eyes on Shadow and his hand on his pistol. Kate hesitated, then shrugged and led the way. The others followed, Rufus placing himself between the man...his gun...and Lucy. Ethan tried to walk with Anne, but she placed herself between Georgie and Griffen.
They hadn't gone far when a woman in a grey suit approached them. Even though it was full dusk, closer to dark than light, her eyes were shielded by dark sunglasses.
"Mr. Wilson? Come with me, please." She headed straight for Ethan. Anne found it odd that everyone seemed to know which one of the 3 boys present was the one they were looking for.
"What about my friends?" Ethan shifted closer to Anne.
The woman's lips moved in what was supposed to be a smile. The outer corners lifted, but nothing else on her face moved. It was like her face was made of plastic.
"They will all be evacuated in the other chopper. There is a plane waiting at Porto Velho to take them to Rio for a flight home to the states."
"And me?" Ethan wanted to stay with his friends.
"The plan for you is different."
"Can you be a little more vague, please" Rufus moved next to Ethan. He could feel the other boy's tension.
The woman in the grey suit shot Rufus a quelling look. "You may head toward the larger helicopter. Ethan is safe with us now. That's all you need to know."
"Yes, ma'am." Rufus stopped short of saluting. He did not move from Ethan's side.
"Young man." Her voice was threatening.
"Middle aged lady." Rufus replied, his voice mimicking her.
" Enough. We need to leave before full dark. You may stay here, if you like."
She turned to leave, then Ethan spoke. "I'll come with you if you tell me the exact location my friends are being taken to."
"I can do that." She said, but didn't elaborate.
"Okay."
This stand off with a bunch of minors was not what she had planned. "Look, get in the helicopter and I'll explain everything. Your parents are waiting."
"My mother too?"
"Yes."
Ethan shot Rufus a resigned look. "Thanks, Rufus. We'll meet up in the States. I promise I'll find a way."
Rufus jabbed at Ethan's shoulder. "For sure, buddy."
Ethan turned to the rest of the group. "You guys are the best. I couldn't have asked for better friends."
"Anne."
Anne waited. She was surprised when he leaned in, kissed her cheek and said. "This isn't over." Then he smiled, gave a farewell salute and followed the woman in grey to the smaller helicopter.
"Come on, guys." Kate said, heading towards the larger helicopter. They threw their gear in the chopper. Shadow and Twiskers both had to be coaxed to get in. Once they were all strapped in, the helicopter lifted off the ground. It was the first time in the air for everyone but Kate. They jockeyed for a seat near the window, chattering excitedly, talking loudly to be heard over the thump thump of the blades.
The pilot had just banked the big machine, ready to head toward the airport in Porto Velho, when a huge explosion shoved them sideways, then dropped the chopper dangerously close to the ground. They screamed as they rocked in their seats, their heads jerked back and their ears popped painfully. The pilot fought to right the helicopter.
"What the f..." From his seat at the window, Rufus leaned into the glass. Suddenly he gasped, tears began to flow unchecked down his cheeks.
"Rufus? What's going on?" Griffen nudged up against him trying to get a glimpse out the window.
Finally the pilot steadied the helicopter. There in front of them, steaming on the river bank was the scorched skeleton of the chopper Ethan had boarded.
Anne screamed.