Chapter 1 - Watch Me
Specialist Jenna Lawson was already carrying Petty Officer First Class Marcus Webb when loose gravel broke beneath her boots.
Her right foot slid toward the edge of the ridge. Stones scattered into the ravine below, clicking against rock until the mountain swallowed the sound. Marcus tightened his arms weakly around her shoulders while the weight of his body and tactical gear dragged against her back.
Jenna dropped one knee, caught herself, and stood again.
The rescue helicopter was still distant, its blades beating faintly through the thin mountain air. Wind tore dust from the ridge and pressed it against her face. Every breath burned.
Marcus looked down at the woman he had dismissed as support staff three days earlier.
“Lawson… put me down. You can’t carry me that far.”
Jenna locked her jaw and kept climbing.
“Watch me.”
A voice broke through her radio.
“Extraction bird is inbound—hold that ridge!”
The helicopter moved closer, still searching for a safe approach between jagged slopes. Jenna shifted Marcus higher on her back and forced another step.
Then another.
Marcus stared at her through pain and exhaustion.
“I was wrong about you.”
Jenna did not look back.
“Save your breath.”
May you like
The plateau was still ahead.
So were eight miles of mountain.
