Artificial Mates - Chapter 73

The artificial cheered at the sight of the double propeller craft coming between the two towers on our right. It was a hefty looking one of deep gray. Demos pulled me towards the broken windows and we both peered out in awe. There were people waving at up from the open side door.

“It’s Mr. Ramdin,” I laughed and jumped then hugged Demos in joy. He hugged me and we laughed. The group of artificial were out on the landing waving frenetically to the craft.

“Told you we’ll make it!” shouted Grant while hugging Nicolai. My bracelet vibrated and I quickly picked up, Mr. Ramdin beaming face appeared before me.

“Liliane, how many are you? We are in a difficult situation here. The pilot said we can’t get too close cause the firefighters notified us that the building could collapse any minute and the floor you are on is just above the blaze,” I turned to Grant and clicked on the bracelet to share the connection. Everyone fell silent.

“Firefighters are here?” I shouted with joy.

“There are four humans and sixteen artificials,” said Grant to the screen. Nicolai frowned at him.

“What about Alter, he went to escort the other group to the lift,” there was a moment of silence. Grant turned back to the screen. “We have someone else who is unaccounted for in the building. I just hope he reaches us on time. However, we can’t delay it. Please, come as close as possible to the landing. We need to get a maximum of people on board quickly,” commented Grant. Mr. Ramdin nodded once then turned to the pilot to give his instructions.

Swirled of black smoke rushed against the building as the aircraft eased to a stop at the same level as the windows. A gush of wind tore inside the shattered windows. Demos helped the old women to the landing. The distance from the edge to the hovering craft was tremendous, to say the least. About two meters away, that was one leap of faith. Through the open door, Mr. Ramdin and another uniformed man waved at us.

“This is as far as we can get without taking the risk for the safety of the transport,” he shouted over the rushing winds. The first one to leap on the protecting railing of the landing was the young woman with a nurse uniform. With a fluid jump, she landing inside the craft with no problem. She turned and smiled at us. Her weight didn’t affect the craft the least.

“See, it’s easy,” the uniformed man next to her handed the nurse a harness which she quickly put on and was secured with a link to the door. “If anything happens, she will catch you so don’t worry. Just jump,” he reassured us. Mostly, the three grandmas sobbing softly beside me. Mr. Ramdin turned to the nurse and patted her shoulder. “Do you have a name, my dear?”

“I am Elma,” she smiled. He turned to the trembling elderly women.

“Ok, Elma here is going to catch you. Now help them on the railing and jump this way,” he urged us. Grant helped them while talking softly to each of them so they would calm down. The first lady leaped to the craft marvelously. The artificial cheered as she landed on the other side. The second one jumped and almost lost her footing but Elma was there to steady her, she turned and smiled when the crowd clapped. The third one was around seventy with silver hair and jogging pants. She peeked at the vertiginous eight stories below and started to weep.

“Come on, Mimi you can do this,” called her friends who were already safe. She shook like a leave when she got on the railing, Grant helped support her so she wouldn’t fall off. The wind was really strong out here and it was a terrifying thing to be standing this high.

“You can do it, Mimi,” sang the ladies. Even Mr. Ramdin joined in. Grant nodded at Elma then gave her a little pushed and she yelp as she flew in the air. Elma jumped at the exact moment to catch her in mid-air. The audience sighed in relief as they were both pulled back to safety.

Then came my turn. I sucked in a shaky breath, marched to the railing with Grant waiting for me. I suddenly sprung around and extended a hand at Demos. He blinked then moved to join me. He took me in his arms and dropped a light kiss on my lips. I reluctantly let go.

“I’ll be right there,” he smiled. I turned to face Grant, who nodded at me. Holding me by the waist he lifted me up the railing. I rose up on unsteady legs but didn’t let go of the hands on my midsection. I gave his fingers a little squeeze. Elma nodded at me and I let go of Grant. He gave me a little push. I saw my shoe leaving the railing in slow motion. The exhilarating sensation of falling. The alien sound coming from my mouth. Before I knew it Elma’s arms came around me and we both were yanked to the side. My heart was about to leap from my mouth. I twisted to the side as they pulled me up. Applauses and cheers came from the landing. Mr. Ramdin extended a helping hand which I gratefully took. He lifted me inside the cabin. I giggled with teary eyes.

“I’m so damn happy to see you, Miss. Kerry,” he squeezed me into his massive arms. I turned back to the burning building and for the first time noticed the extensive damage to the structure. A cold sweat ran down my spine. My eyes met Grant’s. Please hurry up.

-Ok.

He nodded at Demos and both of them stepped aside letting the other artificial line up in front of them. The uniform man by the door guided me to the far side of the craft where the old women were strapped to their seats. I sunk beside them, the man tight my belt blocking the view of the rescue. When he moved away I saw the people on the landing jumping one after the other in perfect movement. Landing seconds from the previous jumper. They orderly moved towards us. I moved from side to side eager to see Grant and Demos. But couldn’t find them. I grabbed the arm of one of them in panic. And noticed it was Nicolai.

“Where are they?” I chin shook and tears threatened to spill.

“Demos is always the last one to go,” he stepped aside letting me see the landing where only those two were standing. Huge smoke was coming from the corridor we were standing minutes ago. In one graceful movement, Grant reached the railing. He smiled when he caught my eyes. Like a dancer he effortlessly sprung in the air and landing on the ledge of the door, curls falling in his face. I couldn’t help admiring how handsome he looked with the light creating a halo around his head.

“Look! it’s Alter!” pointed the nurse. We all turned our focus back on the building. The uniform man bolted through the corridor towards the exit. Demos patted his back when he reached the landing.

“You go first,” said Demos. With one powerful leap the man landing in the already crowded craft. When a deafening sound like repeated gunshots was heard.

“Demos!” Grant yelled. A rippled went through the building. It groaned and windows scattered on the upper floor. Broken glass raining over the edge where Demos was standing, he took a step back to evaded the debris.

“Catch my bag,” he said and I had to twist my neck into a painful position to see what was happening. He tore out of this shirt and pants and stuffed it into the bag before throwing it at Grant. Alarms went on in the c.o.c.kpit. The building wobbled and the craft couldn’t remain stable as it swayed away from it.

“Sir!” yelled the pilot in alarm. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Grant’s back as it tensed.

“Demos!” he shouted. As we watch with terror the tower engulfed in red flames and black smoke, the floors below the landing collapsed on itself sandwiched together. I couldn’t see Demos anymore. My lips trembled.

“Steady!” shouted Grant over his shoulder. “Come on!” in an excruciating second we waited with the terrible cracking of metal and concrete in the background. Then…

The wolf landing in Grant’s arms, making tumble over on his back. I let out a choke chuckled.

“Go! Go! Go!” shouted Mr. Ramdin.