Chapter 4

Somewhere near Gozo, Malta.

The speedboat bounced, skimming over small waves and Charlie clutched the side. Although the morning air felt like biting needles piercing through layers, the trip was exhilarating.

Dim light to the east indicated the sun would soon begin to rise, and they’d need to hurry to get set up in time. Thankfully, Ruzar knew of a shortcut to the top of the cliffs. He’d also arranged transport on the other side, paying a taxi driver to meet them at the dock. They’d make their way to an isolated area of the cliffs—a location without paved roads, hotels or buildings nearby—essential for the right backdrop. Elana would be the one filming, and Charlie would be the dancer—executing a fire dancing routine on the edge of the Ta’Cenc Cliffs as the sun rose.

Charlie scratched her nose and winced at the sunburn. The previous day was worth the burn. They’d gone horseback riding on the Golden Bay beach. All three of them were competent riders and loved exploring the coastline via horse.

Now it would soon be time to say goodbye to Ruzar. Once they’d wrapped up filming, they’d head to the hotel to pick up their bags. Charlie breathed in the salty air and freedom while riding through the dawn on a speedboat around the 120-meter-high cliffs. Her stomach tingled with butterflies as Ruzar maneuvered the boat towards the small jetty. Within the hour, she’d be dancing precariously on what might feel like the edge of the world.

An old silver Mercedes waited for them. The driver stayed at the wheel as another man stepped out the passenger side. Ruzar paused before walking ahead to greet the man. Charlie stepped forward to introduce herself and Ruzar pushed her hand away. “Leave it.”

“What’s wrong?” she whispered.

“Nothing. I don’t like the way he’s looking at you.”

“Should we tell them to leave?” Charlie asked.

“They’re harmless. Probably just out to make an extra buck.” Ruzar smiled easily.

His explanation didn’t make sense, but Ruzar was the local and Charlie trusted his judgment. They all helped Elana to load the equipment in the trunk, then Ruzar climbed in the back with the ladies. He spoke with the driver in Maltese. Charlie couldn’t help noticing Ruzar’s sudden stiffness or his glances at the driver and the passenger—he didn’t like the men.

Elana noticed it too and turned to study the other occupants and Charlie did the same. Nothing seemed out of place. Both looked to be in their mid to late twenties, about the same age as Charlie and Elana.

The driver wore a flat tweed cap, pulled low over his eyes. His jacket looked like a common everyday item. Aside from his thumb tapping against the wheel, Charlie didn’t notice anything unusual about the man. They drove at a safe speed, winding up towards the top of the cliffs.

Once on the plateau, the tar road fell away, and the sandy path narrowed. The old car bumped and groaned over rough tracks, rolling to a stop as the sky began to turn pink.

The three men exchanged words, and Charlie wished she could understand Maltese. Ruzar opened his door and told the women to get out as this was the best view they’d get.

The lightening sky galvanized Elana into action and she raced ahead, carrying as many bags as she could manage. Charlie ran behind, skidding to a stop a few yards away from the most spectacular sight she’d ever seen. The land fell away in an almost vertical drop. Although it wasn’t quite light enough to see the sea near the bottom, the view was enough to make her feel like an insignificant speck on the edge of an infinite abyss.

“Stop gawking and strip, woman!” Elana yelled. “We have five minutes to set up before we lose the sunrise.”

Ruzar walked up beside Charlie as she sprang into action.

Ignoring the chilly breeze, Charlie shed layers, until she stood in lycra yoga pants and a bejeweled halter top. She ripped the wraparound skirt from her bag and tied it around her waist. Then she grabbed the fire staff with a double-sided wick. Next came the flower steel-kevlar fans for spinning. She unzipped the safety kit, pulled out the fuel bottle and readied the emergency equipment they always kept on hand, in case of emergencies—fire blankets, burn gel and an extinguisher. Ruzar stood too close, getting in Charlie’s way. She ignored his bulk as she prepped the rest of the equipment, which took another couple of minutes.

Elana cursed beside her. “I can’t find a stable base for the camera stand. Hold this for a second.”

She passed the tripod to Charlie, who stood and shivered as Elana scurried around in the dirt a few yards away. Charlie scanned the rugged landscape, Elana was correct in cursing. The irregular rocky surface provided a viable challenge.

Charlie would need to be cautious when dancing near the edge. She glanced back, looking at the misty sea. Thudding footsteps over the rocky shelf gave little warning, and a flash of movement had Charlie turning. The driver ran towards her like a battering ram. Charlie didn’t think—just reacted. She swung the heavy tripod in an arc. It connected with the attacker's nose before continuing its trajectory, slamming into Ruzar’s temple. Both men fell, but the driver staggered back to his feet, veering sideways as he zoned back in on Charlie.

The passenger joined in on the attack, rushing towards Elana who scrambled behind a boulder.

“Run, Charlie!” her friend screamed as she grabbed a large rock.

It was too late to run. Charlie slammed the legs of the tripod into his shoulder. He grabbed the weapon and pulled, then shoved, swinging her towards the edge of the cliff. Scrambling for purchase on the graveled surface, she pushed back. He twisted the tripod, and she fell. Something sharp sliced her forearm. She had little time to react before he kicked her in the side.

“Fuck you, asshole!” Charlie screamed.

He tried to slam the tripod into her chest. Refusing to let go, her elbows banged painfully into the ground. Charlie glanced past him and saw Elana slam a rock into the side of the second attacker’s head. He screamed and grabbed Elana’s hair. She swung again, this time with a direct hit to his balls.

Charlie kicked out, hitting the driver’s knee. He shouted and tried to move out of range, but a now furious Charlie kicked at his thigh then pulled the tripod towards her with all her might. He stumbled over her body and with one last shove, she let go. Both man and tripod disappeared off the edge.

The momentum rolled her over onto her stomach and Charlie scrambled to stop herself from sliding over the cliff. The dizzying drop made her want to vomit as she glanced down at her foot dangling over the side.

“Please, God, no,” she sobbed. Visions of the second assailant tipping her over, had her frozen on the brink of oblivion. Nails tore as she dug fingers into rock. Blood coating her left hand made it slip. The rising sun lit the sky with shimmering golds, water expanded in all directions, and a sea breeze cooled her sweat-covered forehead. Not a bad last view of planet Earth before one died.

“Charlie!” Elana called. “Don’t move, honey. I’m coming to get you.”

“The other man?” Charlie asked.

“I de-brained the dickhead.”

Charlie sobbed out a laugh, then froze as gravel shifted beneath her.

A minute later, Elana called out. Her voice sounding loud through Charlie’s buzzing shock. “Easy, don’t move; I’ve got you. I’m going to grab your arm and scoot back.”

“If you slip, we might both go over.” Charlie re-adjusted her grip.

“It’s not as bad as it seems. I’m holding onto an outcropping of rock.”

Elana grabbed Charlie’s arm. Painfully—inch by inch—they shifted back. When the girls were a safe distance away, they fell into each other's arms, hugging out their relief.

Elana pulled a thin satin scarf from a backpack and wrapped Charlie's arm. “Keep pressure on it.”

“How’s Ruzar?”

“Still out cold. You really hammered him upside the head—not sure if he’s even alive. There’s a gaping cut across his temple.”

“It was a mistake. We need to call the paramedics.”

“I know. I’ll drive that evil-ass taxi to the nearest hotel. Stay here with Ruzar, see to his head.”

“Are… are you sure the other guy is dead?”

Elana nodded, looking like she wanted to hurl, as she began to tremble.

“What if the driver’s keys went over the edge… with him?”

“There’s only one way to find out. If so, then I’ll walk for help.” Elana took off back to the car, and Charlie curled her knees to her chest as she shook violently. She had a nasty feeling that the evil from this day would follow her off the cliffs like a poisonous fog, curling down past the dock and across the sea.