It took a few phone calls before I managed to get through to ZDC. Thankfully I didn't have to come up with an excuse as to why I was calling when the first person to answer was a friend of Brad's.
"Bridget, I can't authorize this. You need to listen to Brad and stay at home." Ray sighed and at the other end I gripped the phone.
"What if something happens to him in Williamette?" I shot back and he sighed into the phone. "If I have to walk all the way there I will. You know I will."
"Bridget, wait a second." Ray quickly said. After a pause he spoke. "Look there's a plane landing in Willamette in the next hour or so. I'll send a car where you are so stay put and it'll get you to that plane. But I still think you should take Brad's advice and stay where you are. After Los Perdidos..."
"Like I'd really let my boyfriend rush into danger. I didn't survive Los Perdidos with him to let him go without me." I answered and on the other end Ray shook his head. After assuring me I would get a lift Ray hung up leaving me listening to an empty dial tone.
I just hope Ray comes through for me. If he doesn't I don't know what I'll do.
True to his word I heard a car pull up outside the apartment and when I opened the front door I found Ray standing there. "Brad isn't going to like this." He pointed out as I hurried outside, quickly locking the door behind me before I ran over to the car.
"Like I care what Brad thinks, Ray. He's not leaving me alone while he goes to Williamette. We're a team." I told him and he sighed, opening the passenger-side door for me. With a quick smile at him I climbed inside and he shut the door moving to the driver-side as I quickly pulled my seatbelt on. "I won't tell Brad you helped me, Ray so don't worry." I added when he climbed inside the car, quickly pulling on his seatbelt before he started the car.
"Thank goodness. I need my job, Bridget." Ray muttered and I suppressed a giggle afraid he might decide not to give me a lift to Brad's plane. I even stayed silent throughout the trip gripping the armrest instead as I focused my energy on what excuse I was going to use to get myself onto that plane without Brad knowing. Glancing at me for a moment, Ray actually smiled and I frowned at him until he pointed to the backseat. I turned my head slightly and to my surprise I saw a helmet and a jacket with the ZDC logo on the sleeve. "I thought you might need these." He explained as we pulled into a parking lot. In the distance I could hear a low rumble and I blinked, looking through the window to catch a glimpse of a large plane sitting on the tarmac.
"Crap. I'd better go. Thanks for the lift, Ray." I quickly blurted, unclipping my seatbelt before I reached over for the helmet and the jacket. I opened the door, about to jump out before I changed my mind. Ray's ears actually darkened when I kissed his cheek and I giggled, watching as he coughed. "See you soon." I teased, leaping from the car and he blinked as I slammed the door in his face.
I hurried towards the plane, pulling the jacket on over my shirt and jeans. The helmet was a little loose and it kept slipping past forehead so in the end I held it against my cheeks, running as fast as my legs could move.
Once I reached the plane I grabbed the door, sliding it open with some difficulty before I climbed inside. Almost immediately I saw two pairs of eyes staring at me, Franks West and Brad Park sitting on opposite sides of the plane. "Who are you?" Brad asked and I blinked, trying to think of an excuse as his eyes narrowed. "Bridget?" He whispered when I finally reached up, tugging the helmet from my head to reveal my face.
"Of course it's me. Who were you expecting? Nick Ramos?" I tried to joke and he shook his head, rising from his seat before he stepped towards me. "You're mad at me aren't you?" I sighed once he was standing in front of me with his eyes still narrowed.
"You told me you would stay home. Out of danger, Bridget. I thought we agreed it was the best plan." Brad growled and I snorted, crossing my arms against my chest as I glared right on back. With a shake of his head he reached for my shoulder and I stepped back out of range.
"You decided that. I didn't, Brad." I told him and he pointed to the door I'd closed but I shook my head. Frustrated at me Brad reached for my shoulder again only to stumble when the plane jolted.
"Oops. Looks like I'm coming along for the right, Brad." I grinned and he rolled his eyes, nodding to a seat. Trying not to giggle I quickly took a seat, strapping myself in as Frank looked on with a raised eyebrow. Taking his seat Brad glared at me before our attention returned to the trip back to Williamette. But we had only been in the air for a couple of hours when I heard a loud bang and I gripped the straps holding me in place as the plane starting to spin.
"Hold on!" Brad yelled and I glanced at him, my knuckles turning white from holding the straps so tight before the plane started to fall from the sky. I had just enough time to hear the sound of shattering glass before I smacked the back of my head into the plane's inner wall.
I slumped forward already unconscious so I didn't feel the plane come to a sudden and abrupt stop.