Gripp

12

She adjusted her bag, giving him a blank expression. "Why didn't we do that last night? I had said we should before we left."

He frowned. He knew she wanted to yesterday, but they couldn't. Getting her out was hard enough, let alone sneaking out all the kids.

"We didn't have the upper hand. They have god knows how many soldiers, and I couldn't get you and all of them out as quickly as I wanted." He ran his hand through his hair. He wasn't sure he could this time either, but he wanted to try.

"And I don't expect you to come with me. I know that going back isn't something you're gonna bounce on. You can hang out in the tree if you want. I'll be back."

She scoffed, shaking her head. "Hell, no. You can't have all the fun. I want to help those kids just as badly as you do."

He figured she would say something like that. So he nodded. "All right, but you can't bring everything. I'm not having you lose all your notes after you stapled someone in the head for them."

He nodded his head up toward the tree. "Hide your stuff there, so it’ll be safe if we get caught, and let's go. We have a lot of walking ahead of us."

April was more than eager to put her gear in the tower. He couldn't help but admire her. She was walking straight back into the camp that tortured her. Not a lot of people had the guts to do that, let alone with their heads held high.

She was stronger than he suspected, and he hoped this idea would work. He needed it to. Getting the kids free wasn't part of the original plan, but he couldn't do it any other way.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, wanting her to be a hundred percent sure about this. "You don't have to come."

"I'm coming." She hardened her eyes. "Let's get those kids."

APRIL

April had mixed feelings about going back to the mine. She was wary and terrified of what could happen. They could be caught and beaten to death. They could r**e her and force her into working there.

She could possibly never see her family again. Even though the relationship between her and her father was tense, with her mother always caught in the middle, she didn’t want to lose them. They were her family, after all, and they’d been through everything together. Her father even sent Gripp here.

But she was also feeling so much anger. Rage burned deep in her stomach, telling her if she and Gripp didn't do this, they would regret it. She would regret it. How often did she get a chance to make a change like this? How often was she able to save lives like this?

She had to do this. Those kids needed to be rescued and freed from the shackles that should never have been put on them.

The children should have been with their parents, enjoying breakfast surrounded by love, but instead, they were trying to survive, hoping they didn't get the blunt handle of a machete. Were they counting the days until they died?

She swallowed, looking at Gripp, who held the same anger in his eyes. They were going to fight and free them or die trying.

April couldn't believe she was walking back there, but she also was grateful she wasn't doing this alone. She liked the idea of Gripp having her back. Someone was there to hold her up when she felt weak.

She liked that he changed his mind because she wasn't sure she could have gone on knowing the kids were still stuck in that hellhole. It would have eaten at her until that was all she could think about.

"We’ll stop at the shed," Gripp spoke up, breaking the silence. They had crouched a distance away from the compound’s gate. She scowled, seeing the entrance was blocked now.

"How are we getting in?" she asked, scanning the area. She knew there wasn't another pipe to sneak inside like she did the first time.

"I'm going in." He gave her a smile. "You’re causing the distraction."

He headed toward the tool shed at the edge of the property. She followed after him, standing outside the door while he dug around inside. Her eyes remained glued on the activity around the mine and the guards coming and going near the main building.

She chewed on her cheek, her nerves getting the better of her. She needed to stay calm and keep a clear head.

"Aha!" Gripp came out with a massive grin on his face and a bag in his hand.

He looked at the gate. "All right, I'm going to go in through the side, there is a small entrance there, and I'm sure you'll make just enough of a distraction to get the guard's attention so I can get in."

"You're just so sure about that," she said, her tone dripping in sarcasm.

He grinned at her. "I am." He pulled a bag up, showing her sticks of dynamite. Her eyes widened. Holy s**t!

"They just had those in the shed? The hell! Who leaves those in a tool shed outside?"

He shrugged, not seeming to care. "Better for us." He pulled one out, handing her a lighter. "Now, I want you to throw them at the gate, over the gate, actually. Maybe take out some guys if you can."

She frowned. "What about the kids? The kids are inside."

He nodded. "Throw them closer to the east since I'm going in through the west. The kids are close to where I am, so they’ll be fine. Frightened but alive."

He grabbed her shoulders, giving them a squeeze. "Do you think you can do this? If not, you need to tell me now so I can figure out something else."

She liked that he was thinking about her and if she could handle this. Honestly, anyone else would be shaking at the idea, but she wasn't. She wanted to make them pay. After everything, they deserved what they got.