A/N: By reader request, this story (originally a one-shot) is being extended. See what happens when you leave a review?
After the gun-shot, all was confusion in the dim light: a small, white dog howled disconsolately, his cries echoing off the rocks, and in the shadows, two men crouched on the ledge, pulses racing as they waited for the inevitable search-lights to reveal their position. But no search-lights pierced the darkness surrounding them, and though there was noise behind the ventilator, they knew they had some time. One of them knelt to examine the unconscious boy where he had fallen, his hands slipping in a slowly-widening pool of blood. The dog growled menacingly, hackles raised.
"Leave him," the other hissed. "There's no time, and we have a job to do."
They left then, beginning the treacherous descent down the cliff face. The moon still shone faintly, outlining the jagged surface and the mess of sharp, splintery boulders far below. The dog's howling died away to a piteous whine and, for a moment, all was quiet. But not for long. In the valley below, a door in the vehicle bay lifted and an ambulance made its way to the base of the cliff, its doors opening and members of the search team spilling out into the night.
The medics roped up and began to climb swiftly, communicating in hushed whispers as they scaled the cliff. Above them, trapped between ledge and ground, the intruders froze, fear of discovery lending them preternatural stilness. One of them, the one with the gun, swore under his breath and tightened his grip on the rocks, free hand moving to the holster at his belt. The gun clicked faintly as he cocked it and steadied it.
Just below him, his companion reached up to grab his ankle. "No," he breathed. "Lie low; they'll pass us by."
Both men waited, bodies pressed tight to the cliff and silent as shadows, as the rescue team slowly approached, the lead climber drawing nearer and nearer...and then passing them completely, his attention directed upward toward the ledge. The others followed in quick succession, looking neither to the right nor left, cursing softly when small pebbles dislodged under their fingers.
The intruders quietly released bated breaths and continued inching their way down. With any luck, they would be far from Sprodj by morning, their mission completed and a significant paycheck waiting.