Sheri could hear more of the cartel soldiers approaching through the trees, and decided to take a chance, praying it would work. She stepped back out from her cover, and as the two soldiers prepared to open fire on her, she concentrated hard, and ripped the rifles from their hands, tossing them off into the brush before neatly firing off a few shots of her own. Both found their marks, and the soldiers dropped into the dirt, twitching as they bled out.

Ignoring the fresh stab of pain in her head the best she could, she scrambled back behind the trees, and waited for another opportunity to take out more of La Espina’s men. Deadblood’s plan was becoming apparent now, and she had to agree it was a sound one. Standing their ground and finishing off the remaining men was the only option they really had, there was no way to outrun then, especially when their destination had to be as clear as day to La Espina. Better to take them all out now, rather than risk a race to the airfield, and any possible nasty surprise that might already be waiting there for them.

She watched from her hiding place as Deadblood neatly severed the hand and then neck of another soldier, the blood spurting reminiscent of a fountain, pooling around the dismembered body as it came to rest in the dirt. From her cover she could see another soldier, a more cautious one apparently, creeping up quietly behind Deadblood, armed with a machete. She gave the blade a mental twist, and while she did not succeed in tearing it from his grip, the surprise of having his weapon apparently come to life in his hand cause the soldier to give a sharp cry, earning Deadblood’s attention as well as his own blade.

The soldier slumped out of view into the tall grass, no doubt dead, the red staining the green blades in arcing streaks. For the moment the horizon was clear, and while she could hear the engines of jeeps in the near distance bringing more men their way. An idea came to mind, and she crept over closer to Deadblood.

“Do you have any more of of those explosives, like the one you used back at the hotel?” She whispered, eyes still trained on the road, watching, waiting. If he did, well, that would make for a very fitting welcome for this next wave of cartel soldiers.