"It's okay, Tanya. I'm over here. Did you sleep?" Paul asked. He sat across from her, his back against a tree, his gun nestled in his hands. "I have a plan. Not the greatest in the world, but I think the only one we have going for us. Ready?"
"Yes."
"…and we have to start moving together. It's important." Again, Paul asked, "Clear?"
The day slipped into their hiding place. They moved toward the border of the air field, directly across from the forest. They stayed in the shelter of the trees and watched the planes as they landed and took off, searching for any sign of Charles.
"Remember," Paul said. "The plane will land, then the stairway will descend. Only after the stairs are in place do you move, not before. When I say go you leave the edge of the forest, skirt about thirty steps to your left, then walk toward the aircraft."
"What about you?"
"Don't worry about me. I have to stay here, to cover you. I'll be fine."
At 6:45 am, an FS18 landed. The stairway dropped and four men in uniform descended. Two of the men headed for the terminal building. The remaining two stood guard beside the stairway.
Carefully, Tanya began to follow Paul's instructions. She began to walk toward the aircraft as Paul took partial shelter behind a rubber tree within the forest's borders. With the corner of her eye Tanya saw him to become part of the woods.
Charles Aldrin appeared like a magic trick near the forest's borders. He remained still for a few moments, cautious and alert as a wolf about to go on the hunt. He parted the branches of two trees in front of him and peered into the open area, where Tanya walked.
Her gaze straight ahead and settled on the aircraft, Tanya continued to walk with steady steps.
Charles lifted his Mac-10 and checked it, then pointed it in Tanya's direction. Paul moved behind him, his gun ready. He aimed at Charles' neck. Charles sensed his danger and swung the Mac-10 toward Paul. Paul fired. Twice. And again.
Charles Aldrin dropped to the ground, silent and dead, taking Tanya's terror with him.