Part 38 (1/2)
”Hey, Beck,” Philip called from inside, ”how's everything going?”
”Could be better.”
”I hear you.” He s.h.i.+fted, and more rocks slipped from underneath the Jeep. ”Any ideas what to do?”
”You can't make it over to this pa.s.senger window?” Ryan asked.
”Not without everything giving way.”
”What if I were to reach in and grab you? What if I grab you, you hang on, and I pull you through the window?”
”You mean while the Jeep's falling?” Philip tried to laugh, but it came out more like a semi-hysterical giggle. More rocks slid away.
”I don't see any other way.” Ryan turned to Becka for confir-mation. Her mind was churning a thousand miles an hour, looking for an alternative plan, but he was right. The Jeep's granite perch looked as though it would give way at any moment. There was no other plan.
”And if your hands slip?” Philip asked.
”I guess you'll just have to trust me. Time to have a little faith, ol' buddy.”
”This isn't another one of your sermons, is it?” Ryan grinned. ”Could be.”
”Could be I should just stay put.” Philip coughed and the Jeep creaked precariously. ”Then again ...” He swallowed hard and gave a recap. ”Okay, let me get this straight.
I leap across the cab and grab your hand.”
”Check.”
”That movement sends the Jeep over the cliff.”
”Probably.”
”But you hang on and pull me through the window as it's falling.”
”You got it.”
There was a long pause. Ryan and Becka exchanged glances.
It was risky, to say the least. But what else could they do?
Finally, Philip answered. ”Okay.”
”All right.” Ryan repositioned his feet on the granite for the best stance.
Becka reached out and grabbed Ryan's belt with her free hand, clinging to the bush with the other.
”Beck?”
”Yeah, Philip?”
”Would you, uh ... I mean ... would you mind like saying a little prayer?”
Becka was surprised. Then nervous. The last thing in the world she liked to do was to pray out loud. Especially in front of friends. She glanced to the handful of people up on the road. Or in front of crowds.
Still, this was no time for cowardice.
”Sure, Phil,” she said, her voice coming out a little hoa.r.s.e.
More rocks gave way.
”Could you do it, like, soon?”
Becka didn't close her eyes. She looked straight ahead and concentrated on the dirt in front of her. ”Dear Lord.” She cleared her throat. ”Lord, we just ask that you help us do this right. Give Ryan the strength to hang on, and Philip ... give him the faith to let go and jump. In your name, Jesus ... Amen.” Ryan muttered a quiet ”Amen.” Though she wasn't sure, Becka thought she heard one come from Philip too.
”Well.” Philip took a deep breath. ”You guys ready?” Ryan tested his footing one last time and reached his hand into the window. ”Let's do it.”
”You sure you've forgiven me about that black eye?” Philip said, unable to resist one last chuckle. ”Because if you haven't, maybe we should - ”
Without further warning, the last of the loose granite slipped away. The Jeep started to slide.
”Philip!” Becka cried.
”Jump!” Ryan shouted. ”Jump!”
Philip froze.
”What are you waiting for? Jump!”
The Jeep was sliding away. Without thinking, Ryan lunged into the window.
”Ryan!” Becka screamed as the car's motion pulled him from her grasp. She leaped toward him, grabbing with both hands.
She caught his legs and hit the ground. She would not let go. She hung on, pulling him back out of the window as the Jeep continued to slide. She could hear him cry out as the door sc.r.a.ped across his stomach, then banged its way up his ribs, but she hung on until he emerged.
He wasn't alone.
Ryan had grabbed Philip and was hanging on as stubbornly as Becka. His hands were locked on to Philip's wrists in a death grip.
The Jeep continued sliding.
Becka was pulled across the rocky ledge. She still held on to Ryan, who still held on to Philip. Now it was Philip's turn to scream as his upper body sc.r.a.ped through the open window - but his legs still weren't free, and the force of the Jeep's descent pulled all three along the granite toward the precipice.
Becka tried to dig in her feet, her knees, her elbows, anything to slow them down. Ryan did likewise until Philip managed to kick his way out through the window, and he was free - just as the Jeep reached the edge and slipped over, doing a graceful one-and-a-half gainer seventy-five feet into oblivion.
But the trio was still moving. Their momentum on loose stones and gravel made it impossible to stop. All three dug in - flesh and bone against gravel and rock - and cried out in pain. They slowed, then, finally, mercifully, came to a stop. They lay there, bleeding and panting, gasping for air, white billows of breath hovering over their heads. Below, they heard the Jeep explode as it hit bottom.
The noise had barely faded before they heard another sound.