Sydney and Nigel both whirled at the sound of Zach’s painful grunt, to see a now fully recovered Amy standing over his prone body with a gun pointed at them.
"You’d be surprised by what you can fit into a camera bag." Her voice now as snide as her smile. "Now toss that knife over here and keep your hands where I can see them"
Sydney reached down and withdrew the knife from her boot and tossed it towards Amy.
Amy motioned for them to continue towards the mine, collecting Sydney’s knife on the way.
Sydney lowered her voice to a bare whisper. "Remember the Outback?"
As they rounded the bend Nigel tripped going down hard on right knee, crying out in pain.
"Get up!" Amy hissed as she drew closer.
As Sydney tried to help Nigel up, he went down again.
"Bloody Hell! I think my knees gone out again." Nigel looked at Sydney, and gave her a wink to let her know Amy was now within striking distance.
With lightning reflexs Sydney planted a back thrust kick into Amy’s midsection. She was able to connect with another kick which sent the gun flying before Amy could get a shot at Nigel.
Nigel rolled out of the way and looked up just in time to see Sydney take a right cross to the jaw. He wanted to go help, but knew he would only get in the way.
Nigel scanned the surrounding area, two things immediately troubled him. First, they had seen four sets of footprints, so her accomplice had to be somewhere near. Second, was the path itself after the bend. One side of the path was rock face, while the other was a sheer drop off. Nigel looked back towards Syd, at least they were keeping their fight towards the cliff side of the path.
Sydney tried to keep Nigel in sight, but Amy’s skills were just too damn good and Sydney couldn’t risk taking her eyes off her. She realized she had not faced such an equally matched opponent in a long time. That fact, and her dream about Nigel only increased the knot of fear she felt in her stomach.
Nigel’s attention was suddenly drawn away from the fierce struggle toward the mine entrance as Andy came staggering out . He immediately ran over to assist the injured man as he saw Andy bend over in pain holding his left side.
"It’s going to be okay Andy." Nigel placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "How badly are you hurt?"
"I’m not hurt all." He looked up into the Nigel eyes, and watched as the concern in them quickly faded as he leveled his gun at the other mans chest. "And the name’s not Andy, it’s Mark. Now get those hands up and turn around."
Nigel did as he was told, mentally kicking himself harder with each step. How could I have been so stupid? Why didn’t I see this coming?
Mark shoved Nigel in the direction of cliff’s edge. Haven’t you always wondered what it would be like to fly? I know I have. It’s such a shame you won’t be able to tell me what it’s like, since it’s only a one way trip."
Nigel glanced over and saw Sydney was still engaged in one hell of a fight with Amy. In most cases he didn’t worry, Sydney was more than able to take care of herself, but Amy was giving as good as she got. Nigel knew he had to do something soon, even if it cost him his own life.
"Way to go Sis." Mark shouted from behind Nigel "Now stop playing with her and get it over with"
Mark’s momentary distraction while watching his sister was all Nigel needed. He felt the gun move away from the back of his head. It’s now or never. Nigel slammed his boot into Mark’s foot with all his might as he ducked. The sound of the gun going off so close to his head was deafening, and Nigel felt the rush of air as the bullet speed past his head. He grabbed for the gun as he twisted around and was met with a brutal head butt, he staggered back, but he somehow managed to keep his grip.
While the four of them struggled Zach rounded the bend. Even though he was still dizzy he quickly sized up the situation.
Sydney heard the shot and glanced back seeing Nigel and Mark struggling for the gun. As she started to head towards them when she was stopped by Amy. Damn she was good, but Sydney new she had one thing Amy did not, Zach. He swiftly joined the altercation, and between the two of them Amy was quickly subdued.
As Sydney turned, she saw that both men were struggling unaware they were dangerously close the cliffs edge. As she started to run toward them she heard the gun go off as she watch Nigel and Mark go over the edge.
Go to Part Twenty.