17. Rescue Operation

*Rebel POV*

“Is this all the men we have?” I glanced at the two boats filled with all the guards Karim brought with him after I called him to inform Ryan's location and my plan to get him free.

“I'm afraid so.” Karim signed disappointedly. He is aware how risky this is going to be.

“They are not enough but this is all we got, so this has to work.” There's not enough time for me to call for help from New York.

The island they were keeping Ryan on was surrounded by water from all sides. Reaching there without getting detected was a bit of a challenge; the other option was to surround the island by a larger number and attack before they even get a chance to attack us.

However both conditions were not in our favour so we decided to wait until nightfall before starting the rescue operation.

And the information I obtained from Drake was another plus point.

***

We sail the boats in the dark to use the night with the no moon as our companion.

Call it pure luck on our side or negligence on their side we managed to slip through the rader and made it to the port of the island. It's like they were not expecting us to get here.

Fools. Are they taking us lightly?

My mens surrounded the island and took care of the flies coming in their way meanwhile I and Xavier made our way to the ancient temple located in the heart of the island that's where they were keeping Ryan if all the information Drake feeds me was right.

I'm taking it with the grain of salt.

It's better, since I didn't know anything about his origin and what his goal is. He is still a mystery to me which I intend to solve soon enough.

A sound of gunshot echoed somewhere on the island alerting the enemies.

In a matter of seconds the quiet of the island turned into horror of gunshots, screams and howls.

This place was crowded with enemies. We are clearly outnumbered.

Shaking the fact, I followed the secret path Drake told me to get inside the temple undetected.

The secret door led us to a dark tunnel that was filled with gas. Thankfully we got torches, it gets easier to navigate the way.

Xavier was utterly quiet after the last time we talked before meeting Drake. He didn't question me even when I walked out of the cabin to find him keeping an eye on the house from a distance as I told him to.

I told him about the new plan and he listened silently without a word and followed me to the port.

No I'm not complaining, I work better in quiet.

Following the cramped tunnel I reached the door, more like a hole in the earth, that Drake mentioned which will lead us to the room where they are keeping Ryan.

How Drake knew everything so precisely is disturbing but that is a mystery for another time.

Noises of someone sobbing reached my ear as I pulled myself up through the hole with Little help from Xavier.

I pulled myself up the rest of the way, to find myself in a place that was nothing like a temple but more like a prison cell. Rusty shackles and chains were hanging from the ceilings in dozens.

What is this place?

“It smells like something that has been dead here for ages.” Xavier scrunched his nose at the rotten smell inside the chamber.

“Let's find Ryan and get out of here. I don't feel welcome here.”

“Believe me. I'm not planning to stay longer than I need to.” He muttered to himself.

“Let's split. You go this way.” I signed to the small hallways leading to the other side.

He nodded and walked that way without a word.

I exhaled a long breath and walked down the other way.

Now that I was alone I could think better.

The air was thick in this cramped space. It was like a maze leading to God knows where.

There's no more sound of crying I heard before and assumed it was Ryan's.

Hence I had no clue if I was moving in the right direction or not.

Unfortunately Drake also had no information about the exact room they are keeping Ryan into. Drake did mention that this temple is huge and more complex in structure than it looks from outside.

I can see what he meant. I wonder how such a place stays hidden from the explorers. As far as I have known this island was nothing special which clearly is not the case.

There was something written onto the walls, some ancient language I never saw or read in textbooks, made no sense to me nor did I have enough time to sit here to encode them.

As I reached the end of the way I caught a simmer of light pouring out of the room. So far I have had no encounter with kidnappers. Still, I didn't let my guard down.

I checked the area carefully before stepping inside the room that looks like some ancient treasure room, filled with old relics and paintings rooted to this place's history I assume.

This place was more than what it seems and a part of me got curious by second to uncover the truth hidden inside these walls. As if it's calling me to it.

Not letting these weird energies get hold of me , I moved on, keeping looking for Ryan until I found him.

He was tied to a chair in the room right next to the treasure.

He was knocked out cold. My heart dropped in a pit when my eyes traced the path of blood from his nose to his mouth and jaw.

I rushed to him, dropped onto my knees in front of him. I held his face in between my palms, carefully checking his injuries. He was not conscious, still I didn't mean to hurt him.

His heart beats were calmed, he got some minor injuries that would be better in a few days.

I let go of a breath in relief. It felt like a huge burden got off my chest, seeing him alive. I thought I lost him like all the other important people in my life so far.

I didn't realize I was crying until Ryan's hand gently touched my face, his fingers swiping under my eyes gathering the moisture and he muttered in a weak voice. “Tears don't look good on my sister.”

“Ryan! Oh my god. You woke up.” I said in relief and got him in a crushing embrace.

A gentle smile made its way to my mouth. I felt so relieved that I couldn't express myself in words.

“Ouch. You are crushing me!” He complained and let out chuckles that sounded like he was in so much pain.

I backed off immediately, my hands cupping his face once more, “Are you alright?” Concerned laced my voice.

Corner of his lips uplifted and he replied. “I'm now because you're here.”

I glared at him.

“What were you thinking? how can you be so stupid to sneak out of the house without telling anyone and get yourself kidnapped!?” Now that I made sure he would survive I couldn't help but scold him. His childishness could have cost him his life tonight.

“I didn't mean to..” He started to explain his actions when a movement from right outside the room caught our attention.

His eyes widened in horror, lips trembling slightly. “T-they are back.” He whispered looking back at me.

I hated the look on his face. This was the first time I saw him this scared. He wasn't that scared when he stuck gum in her deskmates' hair and Angelina got a call from the principal in middle school. He wasn't that scared when he got beaten up by bullies in high school.

But today he was trembling like a leaf because of some petty kidnappers. I didn't know what they did to him to make him react this intense but I swear they will be paying for this with their fucking lives.

“Shhhh…..! I'm here. No one can hurt a single hair on your head, got it?” I promised him, touching his face gently, forcing his attention on me.

He was petrified yet nodded his head.

I cut the ropes with my pocket knife and freed Ryan and asked him to hide while I took

his seat and waited for the bastards who made my baby brother cry.

It's time they meet the maker.