Kyle held back the branches of a bush to let Trudie through. They had crossed over open country from the lake, but now crossing roads was unavoidable. The closer they got to the airport, the more of the city they would encounter.
Sirens grew in the distance. They ducked down, back into the bushes. A police car whipped by. It must be going to the site of the explosion. They'd heard several sirens since the explosion, with all of them heading toward the lake.
Once the car had passed and gone out of sight, they crossed the road, heading through the bushes on the opposite side.
The sun was now above the horizon and light was flooding across the land. They had the cover of darkness for most of the morning, but now they approached the outskirts of the city, they were running out of cover.
Their first major obstacle was the freeway heading north. It was still early in the day and very few cars were about. One or two cars whipped by then the road was empty. They ran across the first lane, hopped over the central barrier, then darted across the second lane to safety on the other side.
There was another stretch of open country before they reached the first of the outer barrios. There was no avoiding the streets from this point on to reach the airport. The barrios were quiet so early, but progress was slow on foot. The sun got higher in the sky and the city would get busier the closer they got to the airport. It was not just the police they wanted to avoid. Baldo would know about Pepe soon enough and the cartel would be out looking for them.
After weaving through the quiet suburban streets of the barrios, they emerged on the main road adjacent to the airport. There were already more people in cars and on foot. They needed to cross the road to reach the airport. Cars streamed in both directions. It would be impossible to cross both lanes in one go. A gap appeared in the first lanes and they made their break, reaching the central reservation.
The traffic in the next lane was still busy, but it seemed to be slowing. The cars stopped and they nipped through a gap to reach the other side. The side road turned away from the main road and swept past the outer limit of the airport. They walked along the barrier, topped with razor wire.
It was now just the long stretch up to the airport buildings. Several cars drove past them while they walked. Each time they passed, anxiety surged inside him that it was the cartel. He tried to keep his walk natural but every fibre of his body wanted to run.
His feet were sore and aching from the journey and he knew Trudie would be feeling the same, but they had to press on. They were so close to the end now. The airport buildings were ahead of them.
They reached buildings and Trudie was about to walk toward the departure entrance, when he grabbed her arm.
He held out an airport pass. "We're going in the staff entrance."
He led her down the side of the building and found the staff entrance. After a deep breath he scanned the pass onto the reader. It beeped, the light went green, and the lock released. He sighed and pulled open the door. The corridor inside was dim. They walked down it and he checked each door they met.
He found the one he was looking for. A staff locker room. César had put outfits for them so they could walk about unhindered by other staff. He found both the lockers and they dressed themselves in the outfits - dayglow. It was ironic that to blend in at the airport, they had to stand out.
They stepped back out into the corridor, now dressed the part. A door opened beside them and another worker stepped through. The door opened onto the departure hall. He spotted a group of men in black suits and shades. It could only be the cartel.
His heart almost leapt into his throat when he spotted them and he quickly stepped out of view. The door swung shut. They weren't seen. He was panting and his hands were sweating.
"That was too close for comfort. Come on, let's go."
He took her hand and strode on down the corridor, finding their way to the taxiway. Stepping out into the daylight he looked around the wide open airfield. The cargo planes were at the far end. The quickest way to get there would be to walk straight across between the parked jets, but it was also the most exposed.
The safest way would be to take the road which skirted round the outside. There was an airport buggy parked up to their left. He jumped on and punched the accelerator. The little cart sprang into motion, the electric motor whirring. He didn't want to draw unnecessary attention, so he slowed up.
The road swept round the edge of the airport apron and came to the rear side of the cargo hangars. He brought the little buggy to a stop next to the large and they hopped off. A cargo plane was parked up inside and several flight crates were dotted around.
He poked his head around the huge doors and looked about. There was no one in sight. He was not sure if he should go in or not. They'd come this far, so there was no turning back now. Yellow lines on the ground marked out the walkway. He went inside and followed them round the edge of the hangar.
There was an office half way along, but the lights were off. He peered inside and a dark figure appeared. He froze. The lights came on and he almost jumped.
"Andrés? I didn't expect to see you here."
"I look after César's interests in the region. He ships air freight from here. How else did you think he was getting you out?"
He sighed and his shoulders relaxed. "I'm very glad to see you."
"The flight doesn't leave until tonight. You look exhausted. Come, get some rest."
Andrés led them further into the hangar then opened a door. It was a store room.
"The cartel is already out looking for you." He led them inside and stopped next to a vent. "I don't think they've found your decoy yet. But to be safe, you should hide in here."
Kyle looked down and Andrés took the vent cover off.
He pointed at the small hole. "In there?"
Andrés did not respond. He stared Kyle in the eye with a blank expression. Trudie shrugged and crawled into the space. Kyle sighed. What other choice did he have? He got onto his knees and followed Trudie into the cavity.
"Oh. It's surprisingly spacious."
Andrés bent down and peered inside. "You're not the first human cargo César has transported." He placed the vent back on, concealing them inside. He lay back onto one of the small mattresses in the hideout and Trudie cuddled up next to him. There was enough room for them both to lay out and headroom to sit upright.
The mattress was not too comfortable but sleep came easily once his eyes were closed and the smell of Trudie's hair filled his nostrils, like a comforting aroma. Exhaustion took over and he was out like a light. He must have slept for a few hours, as his body was rigid and aching when he woke up.
There were raised voices outside the door and Trudie stirred. Kyle looked at her with his finger raised up to his lips. The storeroom door opened and he held his breath. Although they were tucked away out of sight, he was still afraid of being found.
He could recognise Andrés's voice in the mix. It sounded like there were several people out there. The sound of a phone ringing cut off the shouting. One of the men answered it and began talking in a softer voice. The commotion returned but diminished in volume, then the door swung shut.
Moments later Andrés returned and removed the vent again.
"That was the cartel. Perhaps they suspect César is connected somehow. Anyway they found your decoy. I think you may be safe to come out."
He crawled out, followed by Trudie. "How long until we can fly out of here?"
"Not long. We will load the plane soon. Stretch your legs and use the toilet. It might be your last opportunity for a while."
He walked back out into the hangar and followed the path back to the doors. Trudie came up beside him and he put his arm around her. The sun was setting, floating in the rippling heat haze over the city. Kyle and Trudie watched the pale lilac hue of the horizon slowly fade to deep purple, tinged with orange.
They only had a few minutes of peace before Andrés called them back over. He was standing next to an open pallet crate. It was a large metal box, big enough for them to lie down in or sit up, but hunched.
Trudie climbed in first, then Kyle. There was some padding and a blanket in there for them. As well as some food and drink to keep them going. Andrés shut them in and then wheeled the crate onto a conveyor.
They were jostled around a little while the conveyor moved them along onto a scissor lift. The crate bumped when it raised up then bumped when it stopped. They were jostled sideways again and the light dimmed. They must be inside the plane fuselage. The crate bumped to a stop and then there was silence.
A few more pallets were loaded into the plane before the doors were secured shut. More minutes passed before the engines were fired up and it was longer still until the plane came into motion.
Every minute was agony while they sat in the darkness, feeling the motion of the plane trundling along the taxiway. The engine noise grew again, this time to a powerful rumble. The thrust kicked in and Kyle felt himself forced backwards. Trudie gripped him in her arms as the plane stormed down the runway.
Then the moment came. He felt the nose pitch up and the wheels lift off the ground. They were airbourne. The final phase was complete. His face split into a wide smile and pulled Trudie in for a kiss. Come morning they would touch down in the US. One connection onward to LAX and then they would board the final flight to Fiji. That would be the end, leaving their old lives behind forever.