‘Ah, ski-jet boots,’ said the General. ‘For our friend here. I hope these boots are big enough, have you seen the size of his feet? It doesn’t matter, I can tell you that he won’t be going anywhere on them. But the jets could prove useful, in case we need to burn his skin. Aha ha ha.’
There was laughter all round. Zak continued to writhe on the floor.
The General stood up, and threw the rucksack to his aide. His laugh turned to a grimace.
‘I’ve never seen such an ill-prepared bunch of commandos,’ he said. ‘Did you think you could just march in, all guns blazing? Didn’t you have any kind of plan? Any kind of strategy?’
Zak was no longer able to listen. He tried to think of what he could say that would release him from his torment.
‘Help me,’ he groaned. ‘End it please.’
‘I’m very disappointed in you boy,’ said the General. ‘You bring shame on yourself. You see in war, you cannot quit. In war, it is a fight to the death. You either win, or die.’ He rubbed his chin. ‘But seeing as you are so desperate to meet your end, I will show you mercy.’ He motioned to the guard. ‘Show the boy the elevator.’
The guard put his arms under Zak, and picked him up like a baby. Zak tried to struggle, but couldn’t find the co-ordination to even wiggle his arms and legs about. He tried to think of a way to complete the mission, but was too disorientated to even know where the General was, never mind attack him. But as he was spun round, one image did make it into his head, that of the VIP cowering with utter terror in his eyes. The look so shocked him that it seared itself into his mind, remaining there as he was carried away.
Zak suddenly found himself looking up at the sky, then felt the arms release him. A rush of cold air billowed into his suit, as the top of the tower came into view, then withdrew into the distance, like a rocket taking off. He was falling. In panic he turned over away from the wall to see himself approaching the icy grounds of the castle at high speed. There was no time to think any further. He heard a thump, then all went black. His entire body screamed again.
Surely that was it – the death!
