Falling by Kailin Gow Read Free Book Online

something inside. Lionel looks to the cockpit of the helicopter.
    “Pilot? Prepare for takeoff.”
    “Takeoff?” the word is out of my mouth almost instantly. “You’re planning to just leave Grayson and the others behind?”
    “I’m planning to get you to safety, you stupid girl. We’ve been set up. Besides, there’s another helicopter.”
    “I don’t care, about that,” I say. “Get Grayson in here now, because I’m not leaving him!”
    Before he can do anything to stop me, I’m out of the helicopter. The biting cold of the Alpine mountainside cuts into me, but I don’t care. I’ve already lost Jack. I’m not about to lose Grayson too. He and Annette are by the entrance, exchanging fire with people inside the cave I assume to be the Others. For the briefest of instants, I think that they might actually be containing them, but it’s clear that they aren’t when a hail of gunfire comes back at us, and we’re forced to hit the floor.
    “There are too many,” Annette says, and I have to admire her stoicism. She hasn’t said anything about the bullet wound in her side. “Get ready to retreat back to the helicopter. On three. One. Two. Three!”
    She fires a quick series of shots into the cave, then grabs my arm as she runs for the helicopter. Except that the one we came in is in the air, hovering neatly, with Lionel Lancaster in the open doorway, a vicious looking machine gun in his hands.
    It roars over our heads, and several of the Others who leave the cave in that moment are cut down. Meanwhile, I find myself half dragged to the second helicopter, where the pilot is already powering up the engines.
    “Get us out of here,” Annette says to the pilot. It sounds like exactly what we should be doing in that moment.
    Except that somehow, I know we can’t leave. There’s something… almost pulling me back towards the cave.
    “Wait!”
    Annette looks at me. “This is no time to wait. I’m wounded, and there’s only so long the major will be able to lay down suppressing fire. The whole operation is a waste of time, and we need to go.”
    “That’s just it,” I say. “There’s something there. I’m sure of it. I can feel it.”
    “You can feel it?” Annette says. “I’m not risking your life on a feeling. This is a trick by the Others, and nothing more. The major would have my hide if I let anything happen to you.”
    “No,” I say, moving to the edge of the helicopter. “Please wait. I have to see this. I’ll jump if I have to.”
    Annette’s face creases in pain. “And then I’d have to jump off and drag you back. You are not making my day any easier, you know.”
    “I know,” I say, feeling slightly ashamed. This woman has gotten herself shot over this, after all. “And I’m sorry, but I’m right about this, I know I am.”
    “Oh, for… pilot, get the major on coms. Now please.”
    “Lionel here,” the voice comes out of speakers. “What’s going on down there, Annette?”
    “Celes here thinks that there’s something real in the cave, sir. She’s refusing to leave. I need further instructions.”
    “Well then, take off.”
    Grayson chooses that moment to speak up. “Dr. Lancaster, I’ve known Celes for most of her life. When she’s stubborn like this, she usually has a good reason.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Lionel makes an irritated sound over the speakers. “Oh, very well, I think I got most of the blighters with the Browning anyway.”
    Annette nods. “Understood, major. I’ll cover her as she goes in. Over and out.” She passes me a pistol. “Jack tells me you’re good with one of these.”
    She knows Jack? No, I don’t have time to think about that.
    “I can use it,” I say.
    “Good, then stay close to me, do as you’re told, and maybe we won’t all be killed. I just hope you’re right, that’s all.”
    Annette, Grayson and I hop out of the helicopter, moving towards the cave. The Fader moves slowly, haltingly, and I wonder how