“We’re setting down in Ben-Gurion airport,” he said, pointing to the map.
Claire nodded. “It’s about forty-one kilometers from the center of Jerusalem. We head west here, toward Nesher, and then take this right, here, to Route Forty-five-oh-three.”
With his finger, Jared followed the road, and shook his head. “But this is a main road. Shouldn’t we try some back roads?”
Claire shrugged. “I say get there, Jared. We’re going to get the shit kicked out of us on any road we take.”
I frowned. “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
Claire raised her brows. “Nina, you should prepare yourself. Think of every war movie you’ve ever seen on TV. Loud noises, yelling, guns, and things blowing up around us. We’re going to be shot at, chased, and running for our lives the second we touch the tarmac. You’re going to have to listen, stay focused, and follow orders, or we’re not going to make it. Get it?”
My head bobbled, trying to process the war zone she described.
Her eyes left mine to return to the map. “That tunnel could be a problem. We could detour here,” she pointed, “and skip across to rejoin the main road here, skipping the toll.”
“If we can just get into the Old City, we’ll be home free. The Sepulchre is just there,” Jared said. He pushed his lips back and forth with his fingers, a million decisions flipping through his mind.
They pored over the map, discussing different roads, buildings, and blind spots. Even though they were kind enough to speak in English this time, as much as half of their discussion was lost on me with phrases like Black Swan, Belay, and Schwerpunkt.
Claire shook her head. “I brought the new rifle. Ryan and I could stay behind. I could cover you.”
Jared thought for a moment, but shook his head. “Too risky. What if you get trapped?”
Claire frowned. “That’s insulting.”
“It’s not just you, Claire. You have two of you to watch out for.”
“I know that, but he—”
“Claire?”
Claire’s shoulders dropped in resignation.
“We’re not leaving anyone behind. We stay together.”
“Copy that.”
They spent another hour coming up with Plan Bs, and Cs, and Zs. If something went wrong at this corner, we would take that alley; duck into that building; cut across that roof. Areas of concentrated population were to be avoided at all costs, but the Sepulchre was in the center of the Old City, and a popular pilgrimage. Our fight wouldn’t end until we were safe inside the tomb.
I shivered. How anyone could feel safe in a tomb was beyond me, but it was the one place Hell wouldn’t go. The book was proof. I turned to see Kim staring at the book in her hands.
She sensed me looking at her, and her eyes jumped up. I was immediately embarrassed, but she showed a glimpse of my friend, letting the corners of her mouth turn up. The action seemed unnatural for her, and it only lasted a moment before she was blank-faced and once again staring at the book.
Claire stood and crossed her arms. “Six hours ‘til arrival. I’m going to ready the weapons.”
She didn’t get halfway down the aisle before the plane trembled, and then shook. Jared looked at me, and then behind him. Claire held onto the tops of two seats on each side of her.
“Probably just some choppy air,” Ryan said.
In that moment the plane bounced violently, sending objects from the overhead bins the floor. The lights flickered, and I held my belly with one hand, and gripped Jared’s arm with the other. Claire’s outline flashed by as she made her way to the cockpit.
“Is it turbulence?” I shouted. The engines whined in a way I’d never hear before, and I could feel the plane descending rapidly. The plane took another dive, and then leveled out slightly. “Jared?” I cried.
“Claire will handle it,” he said, covering my hand with his.
The cabin went dark, and red emergency lights cast frightening shadows. After another dip, the emergency oxygen masks fell from above.
“Doesn’t that mean we’ve lost pressure?” I said in a panic.
Jared leaned over to look out the window, and I did the same. Blackness covered the ground below. No glowing fireflies, no tiny lines of traffic. We were over ocean, with no hope of making an emergency landing.
The plane leaned to the left, pushing me against the window. It was then that I saw it: Moonlight flickering against the waves below. We were just a few thousand feet from crashing into the water.
“Nina!” Jared said, unbuckling my seat belt. “Come with me. I’m going to open the emergency exit door, and when I tell you, we’re going to jump.”
“What?” I said. “Jump from the plane? Are you crazy?” I could see real fear in his eyes, and for the first time, I knew Jared had made a decision out of desperation.
Claire burst out of the cockpit and looked Jared, shaking her head.
Jared gripped my hand and pulled me to my feet. Before I could speak, we were at the emergency exit. Jared grabbed the lever with both hands, but I stopped him.