That Jo had assembled a rope ladder to span the distance was impressive, but it didn't hang low enough for Remi to reach.
She peeked inside her coat. "I'm going to need you to stay still, okay?" He wasn't going to like it, but she had no choice. She secured him in the inside pocket of her coat, grateful he was small enough, zipped it closed, then tightened the bottom of her jacket. She fastened it completely up to her neck and secured the snap, then pulled her hood tighter—all of this just in case he clawed or chewed his way out of her pocket.
"Hold on, Paco." She jumped for the rope. Jumped again.
Then she pulled a small chunk of driftwood over and balanced on it. Just one last jump. She reached with both hands and caught the bottom rung. Then pulled on it and walked along the rocks until she could gain traction with one foot, then the other.
Calisthenics. She'd done her share of them in the past, but clearly, she needed to beef up her exercise routine. Muscles straining, she climbed the ladder, which she realized didn't have anchor points. Once she got out of this, she and Jo would have a long talk.
"Hang in there. I'm climbing this ladder, Paco, and before you know it, you'll be safe in your momma's arms."
Despite the cold temps and buffeting winds, sweat trickled down the middle of her back. She was halfway there.
We're going to make it.
The ladder suddenly dropped a few inches. Her heart rate jumped.
Pulse soaring, eyes shut, she held on as the rope swung out and slapped against the bedrock. At least it had held.
Holding on tight, she stared up. What was going on? No time to ponder that question. This thing was slipping for some reason she couldn't fathom. She gripped the rope. Stepped on another rung, pushing through the fear of falling and breaking her body against the rocks or driftwood.
Don't look down. Don't look down.
Remi looked down. Mistake. Big mistake.
The tide had come in hard and fast, and seawater rushed against the cliff directly below her. Driftwood shifted and moved with the force of nature. Her heart clamored against her ribs. Remi once again squeezed her eyes shut, the sound of her pounding heart overpowering the waves.
You can do this. Just keep going.
One hand on the rope, she reached for the next rung, but it broke in half, leaving her pawing the air. Her palms slicked as she found the rope again and held on for dear life.
Caught her breath.
Paco whined. She could feel his body quivering in her pocket. "It's okay, buddy. I've got you."
The words came out breathy.
And you've got me, God.
She just had to focus and climb. She'd be up on top soon. Otherwise, she'd be swept away, lost forever.
Like the big hole in her life that left her unsure who she could trust, wary of everyone. And beyond this cliff, once she made it—and she would—she knew that time was running out for her. She could feel it.
But she could only worry about one crisis at a time as she continued climbing the failing ladder. She should be nearing the top. Ten feet.
Eight feet. Five feet.
Four...
She looked at the last three rungs. Broken. She saw the crack in each of them. They wouldn't hold her weight. She'd just have to pull from all her past training and climb the rope instead. Hope for the best.
Remi glanced up, focusing on what must be done. She started climbing and realized that the rope had been shredded.
She literally hung by a thread.
Her chest constricted. All the air whooshed out of her.
What am I going to do?
