The sound of a vehicle in the yard drew Nick's eyes to the window as he settled Azin into the ward. It wasn't the usual local truck or small car, but a rather smart white van with red writing on the side, as it turned, a large red crescent came into view. Zoe had seen it too, her eyes met his with an anxious look.
"Right Azin, you stay there and be good, while I go and do some work." He whispered quickly, leaning over he placed a light kiss on her forehead. "Our secret, remember." He added, his eyes flicking to Zoe. "Right." He said firmly, leading her out of the ward and along the corridor. They had barely reached the door to the offices when the main doors opened and two strangers walked in.
The rapidly approaching footsteps sent a ripple of panic through Nick's veins. He had developed an uncanny knack of sensing impending doom. He grasped Zoe's hand and dragged her into the store room. As he closed the door he heard the double doors of the passageway open. Nick's arms snaked around Zoe, holding her tightly in silence as the strangers walked past.
"Dr Makul Bala?" The question barely carried to their ears, but it was enough to ease the tension a little.
"Through here." One of the local doctors replied, another door was opened and then closed.
Nick felt Zoe heave as if she was about to throw up, she rapidly freed herself from his tight embrace and took a few gulps of air, pressing her hand to her mouth as she fought the wave sickness.
"Zo?" He asked quietly, grabbing a bed pan from the shelf.
"Sorry." She gasped. "That breakfast and all this." She waved a hand at the door. "It's a bit..."
"I know." He rubbed her back gently.
"I'm ok now." She insisted, though he didn't believe her. Zoe snaked her arms around his waist and pressed her face to his chest, breathing in the familiar smell of him, wishing it wasn't tinged with the lingering smell of breakfast and the faint scent of the rather tatty blanket Azin had brought from her home. Without a sound Nick set the bedpan back on the shelf and closed his arms gently about her. They stood in silence waiting for any indication that it was safe to leave the cupboard.
.
"So the plan is," Makul paused and took a deep breath, they were gathered in the caverns, Nick, Zoe, Meyer, Andy and Joanne. "I am to drive Azin to the airstrip, Zoe, Joanne you will accompany me."
"What if we get stopped at a checkpoint?" Joanne asked anxiously.
"Our cover story is that you have been badly burned." Makul said without a hint of emotion. "We'll bandage your face, if we are stopped we will cover your eyes too. They'll know we are transferring you and Azin to another hospital, that should be enough to reach the main road, it's not far to the old airstrip from there, we'll just have to get our timing right and make a dash for it."
"Will it work?" Joanne asked fearfully.
"We evacuated a patient through there a few years ago, though the American's were still operating from the airstrip then." Makul added. "The rest of you will go with Kamyar on foot." He his gaze drifted from Nick to Mayer then to Andy. "It's a difficult walk, but he's an excellent guide, he grew up in these mountains and assures me he can get you through to the airstrip under the cover of darkness." His words were met with silence. "The aircraft will land at first light, the time on the ground needs to be kept to a minimum, once he comes into land the Taliban will know he is there. A rapid take off will be essential."
Zoe's eyes met Nick's, neither of them liked the plan, but what choice did they have?
