�I�m sure everything�s fine,� Marty said.
�Someone should�ve went with him,� Jenai stated. �What if they found him and then killed him?�
�Will you stop thinking the worst,� Marty pleaded. �Just give him a few more minutes.�
�How long has it been?� Jenai asked.
�Five minutes from the last time you asked,� Daniel replied.
�I�m sorry, but I�m just worried,� Jenai stated. �Do you have any idea how many times he saved my life? Probably about five times if not more.� They looked at her. �He probably needs me and I can�t help, because I�m down in this pit.�
�Nick�s a good and smart detective,� Daniel pointed out.
�I know,� Jenai said sitting on the ground and Paulina sat next to her.
�He�s going to be fine,� Paulina said. �And he is fine.�
�And people always ask why I don�t get involved with cops,� Jenai said. �They all should be here right now.�
�But you still care,� Paulina said.
�Yes and I don�t want to care,� Jenai said. �I have enough to worry about with Kevin, Jakob, and Justin.� Paulina just looked at her and Jenai looked up to the top. She waited a few minutes more and the whole time she worried about Nickolas. She didn�t understand what was taking him so long. All he wanted to do was find a way to get them out. It was taking him too long. �He should be back already.�
�He�ll come,� Marty said.
�I�m going to find him,� Jenai said getting up. �If Nick can make it to the top so can I.�
�You�re not going anywhere,� Marty said grabbing her arm.
Jenai looked at his hand and then at Marty saying, �Get your damn hand off me, Marty.�
�What are you going to do Jenai? Kick my ass if I don�t.�
�If I have to. You can�t stop me from wanting to go find Nick.�
�Yes I can. I�m not going to let my sister risk her life for some guy.�
�Nick�s not some guy, Marty. He�s the guy that saved my life more than once.�
�But he�s still a guy and you�re not risking your life.�
�Don�t tell me what I can and can not do.� She glared at him.
�Hey, who wants out of the pit?� Nickolas asked and Jenai looked up, as he shown the flashlight down on them.
�Nick,� Jenai said smiling and he dropped a rope down.
�I haven�t seen anyone around so let�s go,� Nickolas said. �And make it quick.�
�Ladies first,� Marty said.
�Go ahead,� Jenai said to Paulina.
�I have the rope tied around a tree so hurry up,� Nickolas stated. �I don�t know how long it will hold.�
�Go on,� Marty said and Paulina started climbing up the rope. �Keep looking up, Baby.�
�It�s a good thing I wore my running shoes,� Paulina said chuckling.
�Just take it easy,� Nickolas said.
�Ok,� Paulina said and they watched as she made her way up the pit. When she reached the top, Nickolas reached out his hand and pulled her to safety. �Thank you.� She hugged him.
�You�re welcome,� Nickolas said. �But it�s my job.� She chuckled and left him go and Nickolas looked down into the pit. �C�mon, JJ.� Jenai just looked at him and then started up the rope.
�Not so fast, Sis,� Marty said.
�Take it easy,� Nickolas added then looked at Paulina. �I�m going to go check the other end of this rope.�
�Alright,� Paulina said.
�I�ll be right back,� Nickolas said getting up and running out.
�C�mon, JJ,� Paulina said. �You can do it.�
�I�m coming,� Jenai said. �I�m coming.� She continued up the rope and Paulina pulled her to safety. �C�mon you guys.�
�Daniel you go first,� Marty said and Daniel did as told.
�Where�s Nick?� Jenai asked.
�He went to check the rope,� Paulina replied.
�We have to hurry,� Nickolas said rejoining them. �We�re going to get company any second.� Daniel reached the top and they pulled him the rest of the way out, as Marty started up. There were voices in the distance and Nickolas got up and went to look. He looked out, but didn�t see anyone. He knew they were there and hurried over to the others. �Quicken the pace, Marty, we�re getting company and I doubt it�s the kind we want.�
�I�m going as fast as I can,� Marty said.
�Well it�s not fast enough,� Nickolas complained, as he went back over and the voices got closer. �Time�s running out.�
�C�mon, Marty,� Paulina said.
�We have to go now,� Nickolas said running back over just as Marty reached the top.
�I think I found something,� someone yelled.
�Let�s go,� Nickolas said, as Marty got up. �There�s another way out this way.� He pushed them back the mine and followed behind. �Go!�
�We�re going, Detective,� Jenai said. She went a couple feet then fell to the ground. �Ugh!�
�Damn it, JJ,� Nickolas said stopping and so did the others.
�I�m sorry, but it�s dark,� Jenai said pushing herself up. �Ow.�
�What is it now?� Nickolas asked.
�I think it�s my ankle,� Jenai replied.
�You guys go on ahead,� Nickolas said handing Daniel the flashlight. �Go a few more feet and make a right.�
�What about you two?� Paulina questioned.
�We�ll be right behind you,� Nickolas said. �Now get going.� He watched them run off and then helped Jenai up. �How bad is it?�
�I think it�s just a sprain,� Jenai said. �I can walk though.�
�Then let�s get out of here,� Nickolas said putting his arm around her and she leaned on him. �If it gets too much let me know.�
�Ok,� Jenai said, as they began walking and they saw a light.
�Not so fast.� They slowly turned around and saw LaKeisha. �Nice try.� They just looked at her. �Go find the others.� Three guys ran past them and Jenai and Nickolas looked at each other. �You remember your father, Skip, don�t ya, Jenai?�
�I try to forget,� Jenai said.
�I never forgot you,� Skip said and Nickolas reached for his gun. �Don�t even think about it.� He walked over and took the gun from Nickolas.
�Do you know what day it is?� LaKeisha asked. �The 10th anniversary of dear Brianna Marie�s death. You were supposed to die that night too.�
�Ya think,� Jenai said.
�It really didn�t go as planned that night,� LaKeisha stated. �But tonight we�re going to fix those mistakes.�
�If it�s me you want then leave Nick and the others go,� Jenai said.
�We actually want you and your brothers,� Skip stated.
�Then leave Nick and Paulina go,� Jenai said.
�We can�t do that,� LaKeisha stated. �They�re witnesses and we can�t have any witnesses.�
�The police are coming anyway,� Nickolas replied. �And they know it�s you.�
�I figured that much,� LaKeisha said. �You�re such a good cop, Detective. Always following Sergeant Richardson�s orders and doing the right thing. You�re just Mr. Noble, Detective Carter.�
�I have a heart,� Nickolas said.
�Right,� LaKeisha said. �Let�s go.� She waved the gun towards the entrance. �Outside.� They just looked at her. �The storm will be gone in a few minutes so don�t worry about anything.� They continued looking at her.
�Now!� Skip said pushing them. �We don�t have time to waste.�
�Yeah,� LaKeisha agreed. �Time�s fast approaching.�
�Now out,� Skip said pushing them again and they slowly walked out into the storm.
CHAPTER 27
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