Cairo  

XXVI  

After another useless scan of the drawing room, I run back to Jasmine.  

“They’re not there, Jas. I-I don’t know what to do. There’s no way that they could be out-they don’t do stuff like this Jasmine. What do we do?”  

I can feel myself begin to hyperventilate, and get lightheaded. Before I can collapse, I feel Jasmine grab my hand. She stuffs something into one of her cargo pant pockets, but I’m too worried to ask what it is. It probably doesn’t matter anyways. Despite Jasmine trying to hold me up, I feel myself get even more lightheaded, and I....  

…  

Jasmine  

XXVII  

As Cairo collapses, I try to grab him, but he’s too heavy. I make sure his head hits the floor gently, then I step away, and pull the note out of my pocket. Should I tell him? I don’t know... it might make him feel worse. After all, it does say....  

But who’s to say that it’s telling the truth? For all I know, this could be a fake note, set up by Zaro and the rest of the guards to fool us.  

But that doesn’t make sense. There would be no way that Zaro could make it here from the diner in time...  

Before I can finish my thoughts, the door to the quaint cottage flings open, and I see Tashe, with a whole barrage of soldiers backing him up.