Chapter 3

Evie, Ethan, Krystal, and the remaining five aid workers were just feet from the helicopter when the heavy loading ramp began to rise with a hydraulic hiss.

"Hey! Wait!" Ethan yelled, lunging forward, but two Marines blocked his path.

Captain Miller' s voice boomed over the engine noise.

"Apologies, folks! We just received an urgent directive. Unforeseen diplomatic complications. Airspace is closing immediately. This is the last bird out, and it's full."

The helicopter' s engines roared louder, and it lifted off, kicking up dust and debris, leaving them standing on the tarmac in stunned silence.

Then, the anger erupted.

"What the hell?" Dr. Peterson shouted, his face red. "Because of her?" He jabbed a finger at Krystal.

"You made us miss it for your little photo op!" Nurse Ramirez accused Krystal, her voice shaking with fury.

Krystal looked genuinely terrified now, her carefully constructed composure crumbling.

"It's not my fault!" she shrieked, tears welling. She rounded on Evie. "This is you! You did this! You used your rich family to strand us all just to get back at me, didn't you? Petty bitch!"

Ethan, for once, looked pale and shaken. He was on his own sat phone, his voice tight.

"What do you mean, 'no further assistance'? I'm Ethan Vance! My wife is Evelyn Reed!"

He listened, his face growing grimmer.

"Unacceptable adherence to evacuation protocols? You're berating me now?" He slammed the phone shut, cursing.

The other aid workers stared at him, then at Krystal, then at Evie, suspicion and dawning horror on their faces.

Evie watched them, a cold knot in her stomach. This was only the beginning.

Krystal continued her tirade against Evie. "You always hated me! You were jealous!"

Evie finally spoke, her voice calm amidst the rising panic.

"Krystal, I warned everyone that delays were not an option. Ethan chose to prioritize you. You chose to be late. These are the consequences of your actions, not mine."

The group fell silent, the weight of their situation pressing down. Stranded.