A Spy's Life: Part Five

Flying was exhilarating.

Ever since being ten years old, Twist had dreamed of hang-gliding after a magnificent dream about hang-gliding over pristine nature - fall-coloured trees, mountains, sunshine, a crystalline river - and at last, after many years, her wish had come true.

The wind was lovely, the freedom heavenly. Free of gravity, Twist completed a roll-over, laughing with delight as she flew over the gray-blue sea and dangerous outcroppings of rock. Whether or not she was headed towards capture, torture or death, this was the next-best feeling in the world.

Steering was hard, but Twist managed to aim for the far-away cliff face where she and White Mage had rested - or, more likely, been injected with sleep syrup. She aimed downwards and went into a wicked nose dive. This hang-glider was not the spread-faced tourist attraction. Designed by Agent Bombay herself, it was more like a fighter jet. Angling its wings to the side, Twist veered upwards as the ground rushed up, doing a loop-de-loop, and finally setting down on the ground, feet slightly tingling.

The ground where she and White Mage had slept was ravaged clear of all foliage and greenery - now just a burnt-out dust plate. You could see exactly where the bomb had hit: the center of the destruction. If she hadn't fought the artificial sleep, Twist would have been blown to bits. So YKW wasn't sorry, but willing to kill someone he barely knew.

Twist folded the hang-glider once more and examined the sleeping spot. But there was absolutely nothing left, just charred . . . charred everything. She would just have to examine the perimeter.

Five minutes later, she found some footprints. Careless YKW. She started to follow them, and almost immediately fell through a hole, sliding down some steep tunnel that only just kept her from falling straight downwards. Terrified, Twist tried to grab on roots, walls, anything, but the surfaces were sleek, featureless and hard as stone.

Really? Twist thrust out all limbs and held her weight bent between the walls, holding by her fingers and toes, like a playing card bent between two fingers. She brushed away some dirt with one finger, and revealed the solid gray behind it. Twist groaned. This trap wasn't even natural, it was probably dug out by YKW's pals - they had guessed she would follow the footprints. Careless Twist!

Suddenly, she looked downward. Fire was rising - lava. How deep was this thing, anyways? Twist panicked and wondered randomly how YKW could have arranged this. How had she managed to fall for this? - literally? There must be some way out . . .

Higher and higher the plasma rose, heat bubbles bursting and looking very, very hot.