Chapter 28

There was dead silence. Time stood still for everyone inside and outside the warehouse. One thought popped up in everybody's heads: were there any survivors?

Maria Chavez took charge. "Get moving! See if there are any survivors!"

The order seemed to snap everybody out of his or her states. Paramedics, firefighters and officers all rushed in praying that someone was alive.

Goliath was outside with Hudson, Broadway, Lexington and other clan members. They all looked in horror when the building exploded. Goliath scanned the crowd to see if Elisa and the others made it. They weren't in the crowd.

He walked to Maria. "Captian Chavez, did Elisa make it out?"

Maria flinched. "I haven't seen her. What part of the building was she in?"

"She along with Jason and Matt were in a back room. Angela and Brooklyn were also inside."

Maria took out her two-way radio. "Officer Morgan, do you read me?"

"Yes, Captain."

"I need reports on Maza, Bluestone and Conover as soon as possible," Maria ordered.

"Copy," Morgan responded.

Maria turned to Goliath. "As soon as I know something I'll let you know."

"Let's get the wounded to the hospital. It's going to be a long night."

"Goliath, is Angela okay?" asked Broadway.

"I hope so," said Goliath.

Soon, Demona came over to the clan. "Is Angela safe?"

"We don't know," Goliath said trying to remain strong.

"I have to go in there," Demona said.

Goliath stopped Demona. "We don't want to get in their way. I want to go in there just as badly. We wait. In the meantime, we have to help our brothers and sisters out here."

Jason stirred beneath some concrete. The last thing he remembered was grabbing Elisa and making a run for the exit.

He pushed aside the concrete on top of him and sat up. "Can anybody hear me?" he shouted.

He heard groans and he slowly got up and headed to the sound. He saw Matt lying on the ground.

"Matt, can you hear me? It's Jason."

"Yeah, I think my foot is trapped," Matt replied.

Jason saw the debris on his foot and strained to move it. He tried once more when Angela and Brooklyn came over.

Brooklyn helped Matt up. "Everybody's ok? What happened?" asked Brooklyn.

"Evelyn pulled out a grenade and it exploded," Jason said.

"Wait, where's Elisa?" asked Angela.

They looked around and saw no sight of her. They went around calling her name.

Angela spotted her hand. "She's over here!"

Matt, Jason and Brooklyn dashed over and lifted up the concrete. Jason knelt beside her. "Elisa, it's me. Can you hear me?"

Elisa stirred and slowly opened her eyes. "Jason…Jason, is that you?"

"Yes, it's me. Are you feeling ok? Does anything hurt?" he asked.

"My head hurts," she replied.

Jason then noticed blood on the side of her head. "Matt, she's bleeding. We need the paramedics."

"I'm on it. Angela, Brooklyn let's go get help."

Jason cradled Elisa in his arms. It wasn't supposed to turn out like this. She was caught in the crossfire and now could possibly be dying. He started crying.

Elisa was losing consciousness. She was trying to stay awake.

"Hey, don't go to sleep on me. I need you to fight. Can you do that for me?" Jason said, his voice cracking.

"Ok. I'm just really tired," Elisa responded weakly.

"Where are those paramedics?" Jason thought.

"Jason."

He looked down at Elisa again. He felt helpless. "Yes, Elisa?"

"I love you. If anything happens, tell everybody I love them."

Jason felt he was about to burst. He knew he had to pull it together.

"You're going to be able to tell them yourself. Matt, Angela and Brooklyn went to get help. They'll be back soon. And I love you too."

"Where's Evelyn?" asked Elisa.

"I don't know. Don't worry about her now. Let's focus on you. I need you to get better. I still have to take you to France," he said.

Elisa smiled weakly. "You do, don't you? Are they coming? I don't want to die." She was on the verge of tears.

"You aren't dying. I won't allow it," Jason said slightly stronger. There was no way he was losing the love of his life.

Morgan entered with the paramedics. "Conover, Maza."

Jason looked over his shoulder and relief flooded through him. "Morgan, Elisa's hurt."

"Chavez, we found Conover and Maza. Maza's been injured. Looks like a head wound," Morgan said over the radio.

The paramedics checked Elisa and then lifted her on the stretcher. One of the paramedics went to check Jason but he refused. "I'm fine, help my partner."

"Sir, I have to check you too. You could have a concussion or another serious problem."

Morgan placed a hand on Jason's shoulder. "Let them look at you. Elisa's a fighter. She's going to be fine. Elisa would never forgive us if we let anything happen to you."

Jason relented and allowed the paramedics to check him out. After they were done, Jason hurried outside to find Elisa being taken into the ambulance.

Jason approached the ambulance. "I'm going with her."

"Only family is allowed," the paramedic said.

Before Jason could argue, Matt offered to drive Jason to the hospital.

Matt told Morgan to call Elisa's parents and siblings and that they would meet them at the hospital.

Goliath approached Jason. "Elisa will be fine."

Jason gave a weak smile. "I know."

They watched the ambulance take off.