by Christi
We three looked at one another.
Hector spoke, "That's what we're trying to do! We know where he is. We're trying to bust him outta prison."
"What prison?" He didn't trust us.
"He ticked off the cartel in Colombia. They sent him to a prison of theirs, in El Salvador."
"Let me come with you! I will help you all I can. I haven't any money, but I do have the Hummer, my pistol, and Tiny Toots. We can use my paper mache' guards any time you want!"
"Well, good Yes, come with us. But we can't pay you," said Hector, who replaced his fallen sunglasses back onto his nose.
"Great. And you guys can call me Larry. How did you find out where he was?"
"I got a note," I told him.
"Montez Brothers?"
"Enrique Sandoval & Sons."
"Ah, jeez...expensive," Larry cringed. "Cuesta una oja de la cara!"
"I know it, hermano!" Hector agreed as they shook their heads.
"Let's just go!" Pedro shouted. He began to load up the paper mache' guards into the back of the Hummer.
"What? Why are you in such a hurry all of a sudden?" Hector shouted.
"Listen!" I said, as an engine could be heard down the crude road, crunching brush and branches as it drew near.
"Crap!" Hector screeched. "Pedro, ride with me. Chica, you go with Larry."
I got into the Hummer with Larry and I had just clicked my seat belt into place when I heard the first rounds of gunfire. I looked back. Larry had already floored it. With relief, I saw Hector and Pedro following close behind.
A van full of angry cartel mercenaries, hanging out of windows, opened fire again. We hit the gas and flew, in the thick wooded area flanking our truck. The huge vehicle knocked branches out of its way as we sped to what we hoped was safety.
"This isn't even a road, Larry!"
"It is now!" He took a harried glance in the rearview. "They're still right on our amigos' tail. No way to lose them. We just gotta outrun them."
Fortunately, we pulled out of that forest and directly into a small urban town center of sorts. Coming into a populated area was beneficial because more directions opened up and there was more people. By the same token, all the crowds in the local marketplace made maneuvering a trial.
Unknown to Larry and I, in the smaller SUV Hector drove, the two of them hatched a plan.
Bless the fruit vendor, whom we later recompensed with a free armed guard.
Hector swerved just in time to make the pursuing van crash headlong into a stand of watermelons. Faced with a barrage of angry profanities, the van o' predators was delayed in acquiring their target, and we got away.
"We are outta here!" Larry gave me a high five.
Hector was in the lead, then, and we drove on to find a place to rest for the night, and plan logistics for the day ahead.
Chapter 11 - percolating like a hot, aromatic cup o' coffee on a crisp morning, is soon percolated!
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