Chapter 4 - Trapped And Desperate
I yanked on the heavy door handle with all the strength I had left.
It was completely wedged shut, likely blocked by something heavy in the hallway.
I ran over to the hotel phone resting on the bedside nightstand.
I picked up the receiver to call the front desk for security.
There was no dial tone, only dead silence humming through the plastic speaker.
Blind panic began to claw at my throat like a wild animal.
I had to get down to the lobby and find Lily before the cartel did.
I rushed back out to the balcony and looked down at the concrete below.
We were on the fourth floor, making a jump completely suicidal.
I looked over at the neighboring balcony to my right.
It was only about four feet away, separated by a steep drop.
I climbed onto the metal railing and felt the strong ocean breeze push against me.
I closed my eyes, prayed for a miracle, and jumped across the terrifying gap.
I landed hard on the concrete deck, scraping my knees on the rough surface.
The sliding glass door to the neighboring room was thankfully unlocked.
I slipped inside the dark room and found it completely empty.
I sprinted out of their front door, which opened easily into the main hallway.
I bypassed the slow elevators and took the stairs two at a time down to the lobby.
I burst into the main dining area, scanning the crowd for my family.
Lily was sitting happily at a corner table eating a large bowl of strawberry ice cream.
Jim was sitting across from her, looking incredibly pale and nervous.
Bruce was absolutely nowhere to be seen in the crowded room.
I marched over, grabbed Lily out of her chair, and hugged her tightly against my chest.
May you like
Jim stood up quickly and reached into the inner pocket of his jacket.
"I'm so sorry, Sarah," Jim whispered as he pulled out the silver handgun.
