Jared was still in a gun battle with Castillo down the hall. He was eerily silent, while Castillo was calling out insults and curses the entire time. Jeff tore off the rest of his tape and went over to my mom, ripping off hers. They were free in a matter of a minute or two.
“Camden,” she yelled out.
I glanced back at them and nodded. “I’m here. We’re leaving soon.”
They didn’t look much worse for wear. Maybe a bit thin, definitely exhausted, but they hadn’t been tortured at least. The cartel probably figured they were worth more in one piece. I briefly wondered if they had planned on ransoming them off, or if they were just going to be killed. It didn’t matter anymore, though.
“Jared,” I yelled out. “I got my parents.”
He didn’t respond. The only sound was the scream of bullets.
“Fuck,” I said. “We’re pinned down.”
Jeff was suddenly at my back. “Give me a gun.”
I handed him my rifle, holding onto my pistol. He took over my position and kept firing. I tossed him two extra clips.
“There’s a window,” he said, looking at the far end of the room.
I was surprised at how competently Jeff held the weapon. I couldn’t tell where his bullets were landing, but all he needed to do was keep the guys upstairs from coming down.
I followed his gaze and grinned to myself. Up at ground level was a thin window.
“Mom, help.” I dragged a chair over and she followed me. I shot the window, shattering the glass, and used a bandana to break off any extra small shards.
“Boost me,” I said. She put her hands out and did her best to push me up. I managed to get my head out into the freezing cold, but it was a tough squeeze.
I felt her pushing my feet, and slowly but surely I began to slide through. The ground was cold and wet, but I was out.
I looked back inside. “I’m going around. Tell Jeff to keep them upstairs.”
She nodded, afraid but functioning.
I moved around the house quickly toward the back door. For a brief moment I had the crazy idea that Lacey would mistake me for a guard and start shooting, but the night stayed quiet. Or at least as quiet as it could be with a gun battle happening inside. I kicked the door open and ran through the boiler room, coming out into the hallway.
Castillo was busy with Jared, exchanging shots. I crept up the hallway on the side of Castillo’s door, out of his line of sight. Jared spotted me but didn’t say a word, just increased his rate of fire.
I wasn’t thinking. I couldn’t think. I could only act. I rounded the corner, dropping down onto my side, and fired upward, straight into Castillo’s midsection.
He stumbled back, gasping, and dropped his gun. I scrambled up and kicked it away.
And then Jared was there.
“Stop,” he said as I pointed the gun at Castillo. “I need him alive.”
Castillo leered at me. “Maricon white boy,” he hissed.
I stood down. Jared pulled a radio from his vest and pressed a button. “Extract now,” he said.
“What the fuck?” I asked, staring at him. “I thought we were alone. Who are you talking to?”
“We are. If this went wrong, they would have denied my existence.”
“We need to help my parents.”
“Watch him,” Jared said. He moved back out into the hall.
I looked down at Castillo, who was laughing like mad.
“It’s over,” I said in Spanish, training my gun on him. “You’re finished.”
He shook his head. “Idiot. Nothing is ever over.”
“You’re going to pay for all the shit you did.”
“I will rise again,” he said, cackling madly.
I hit him in the skull with the butt of my pistol. He dropped, unconscious. I checked to make sure he wasn’t dead and nodded to myself.
Crazy piece of shit. Deserved whatever he got.
Suddenly, the gunshots from upstairs ceased. An eerie quiet fell over the house.
I looked up and my mom and Jeff walked into the room.
“Camden!” Mom said, and threw her arms around me.
I returned her hug, relief flooding through me. “I’m so sorry, Mom.”
“I’m just happy you’re okay. They said you were dead.”
“I’m hard to kill.”
Jeff nodded at me but didn’t say a word. He didn’t need to. I knew he’d never forgive me for this, and I didn’t blame him.
I was just glad they were safe.
“He dead?” Jared asked me.
“No. Crazy though.”
He grinned. “Yeah. Guy is batshit nuts.”
Jared grabbed Castillo’s arms and began to drag him outside. I grabbed his legs and my parents followed, walking slowly.
“What happened after we split up?” I asked my mom.