Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 27.2 - Through the storm

Kyle and Kay hurried across the room and into a hallway filled by an iron spiral staircase. Kay started climbing and Kyle followed, holding on to his leg. It was still bleeding and he'd started feeling a bit dizzy. Kay reached the top and opened the hatch leading out. Kyle hurried to catch up. His leg gave out under him and he slid down the stairs. He grabbed on to an iron step and stopped before he broke his neck tumbling to the bottom.

Kay ran down and sighed in relief once she spotted him. She grabbed his hand and helped him get back on his feet. Much slower than the first time, they climbed again and exited through the trap door, ending up on the top of the cliff. The wind blew violently and thunder rumbled above them.

About ten feet away, they could make out some fluorescent lines that marked the edge of the cliff. Lightning lit the scene, revealing a couple of helicopters in the distance. Dark shadows moved between them, carrying crates.

Kay frowned, but turned her attention from the helicopters to Kyle. "We have to do something about your leg. Let me see."

"We have no time for that." Kyle winced when Kay put her hands on his thigh to check the damage. He took her in noticing her bloody shirt, the scratches on her arms, the bruises on her face. "What did they do to you?"

"Mostly slapped me around and cut me a little, but I'll be fine," she mumbled, ripping the bottom of her shirt. "You, on the other hand... the cut is really deep. I have no idea how you're still walking."

"Must be the adrenaline," he said between his teeth as Kay tied the makeshift bandage around his leg.

She checked her handy work then looked over her shoulder toward the helicopters. "Do you think they're leaving?"

"I hope so. Though without the ruby and with us still alive, I have my doubts."

They stood in silence for a few moments, Kyle trying to control the pain in his leg, Kay cleaning her face. At least the bleeding had stopped.

"We should get out of here," Kyle said. Though going back down the stairs wasn't an option. They could try sneaking toward the jungle and head back the way they escape the first time.

"You should rest a little so you can actually walk," Kay shot back. She shifted closer to him, but didn't touch him. "I'm really sorry about all this. I was just so confused."

Kyle raised his hand to stop her. "It's not that easy, Kay. You can't just say sorry and make it go away."

"I know." Tears filled her eyes and she reached out her hand, then lowered it. "I wish I could be like you, fight, believe, trust. But I'm not. I'm scared and weak and pathetic. You shouldn't have come after me."

"Would you forgive me? If it was the other way around?" He shook his head when Kay opened her mouth. "No, I want you to really think about it, not just give me what you think I want to hear."

Kay nibbled on her lower lip, staring into the distance. "Yes." She finally said. "I'd make you work for it, but, eventually, yes."

"Would you have saved me?"

Kay didn't hesitate a heartbeat. "Yes."

"Would you still love me?"

"Always."

"Will you ever do something like this again?"

"No."

Kyle bit his lower lip not to smile, because despite everything, she made him happy, happier than he could ever be without her. The power she held over him was scary, but it had been his choice. When he'd realized he loved her, he'd gone all in. Through the good and the bad, till death did them part.