I tossed and turned all night. My heart nearly stopped at the fear of what my Frankie was going through. I eventually sat up accepting I would be getting no sleep. I watched where I knew the sun would rise up at constantly shooing away thoughts of Frank.
I glanced down at the Kobra Kid beside me. He had an arm draped across his bandaged side with his head tilted skyward by the tire it rested against.
Jet had his jacket balled up under his head. His mouth was open, snoring, and slightly drooling. He used to be our comic relief before the end of the world. Now it's only when he sleeps and the occasional outburst while he's awake that he's like his old self.
I returned my gaze to the horizon and waited. I saw the deep navy fade to the smog swirled crimson. I poked Kobra awake carefully avoiding his wounds. He blinked a few times before nodding and getting to an upright position. He reached out and pulled his holster to him strapping it loosely around his hips as I walked over to Jet to wake him up. He was already stirring but I still poked at his shoulder. He looked up and me and nodded like Kobra had.
We all didn't talk that morning as we all got our things and got into the trans-am only then did Jet go over the plan again. He did so with less enthusiasm than the night before and the rest of the car ride was in silence. I was driving so it helped a little with keeping my mind off Frank.
I stopped the car 200 yards off from BLi headquarters like Jet had instructed. I pulled the key out of ignition and put it in the sun visor.
I looked over at Jet who was making adjustments to his holster, he does that when he's nervous. I reached out and put my hand on his shoulder and gave the best smile I could even if it probably did look like a grimace. He looked up at me and the edges of his mouth tilted up slightly looking more like he was in pain than a smile so I'm sure mine had been no better.
I turned from him and stepped out of the car. I looked in the backseat. Kobra had his head resting on the seat in from of him's headrest, his expression blank.
"Kobra are you okay?" these were the first words I'd spoken all morning my voice coming out rough and hoarse.
He just half heatedly nodded and stepped out of the car. He was pale. I'd never seen him or Jet so nervous about something like this before. Of course I'd never been this nervous about one before either.
I pulled him into a hug reaching one arm out for Jet to join. We stood there for a few seconds before we started walking towards the headquarters.
We followed Jet's plan that had gotten us inside. We we in the air ducts until we got to a vent in the hall we needed to be in. We dropped almost silently down into the tiled hall. This hall looked like a medical ward and oh, how I remember it too well.
I heard footsteps coming towards us. I motioned with my hand to Jet and Kobra for us to duck behind the wall beside us. We all were out of eyesight by the time the dracs were where we were standing. The four of them walked into the room next to where we were standing.
We were waiting a few seconds to make sure the coast was clear when we heard a blood curdling scream I knew all to well to be Frankie's. Oh my god. What were they doing to him. I felt my blood start to burn in my vein and I lurched towards the door with my gun at the ready. It was just a few yards away and I wasn't getting any closer.
I looked down Jet's arms were holding me back. I opened my mouth to scream when Kobra's hands met my mouth to muffle my yell. Jet spun me around to face him. He looked in my eyes. I could tell he was hurting too, but he mouthed, 'It's the only way.'
I knew he was right Frank was just going to have to hold out just a little bit longer. It hurt me just to even let myself think that, but it was all I could do.
We waited what seemed like and eternity for the dracs to leave the room. Every scream that escaped the room made my head spin with anger and make my whole body shake with rage. Jet kept his hand loosely on my arm to make sure i didnt try to make my way at the door again.
Finally the dracs left the room. I led Jet and Kobra into the room that we heard the screams coming from.