Free Ice Rift by Ben Hammott Page B

thinking.”
    “Well, think a little faster, my feet are getting cold.”
    Jack was just about to remind him whose fault it was they'd ended up here, when the plane trembled.
    The passenger's fear quickly returned. “Shit, we're falling!”
    Footsteps moved along the plane, buckling its metal skin where weight was placed on it. The handle turned when someone tried to open the door. Failing to do so, a gloved hand cleared away a patch of ice to allow a face to peer in. The man's eyes flicked to the two men staring back at him. “Hi. Landing a bit rough, was it?”
    Jack recognized the voice. “Hi, Eli, is the plane secure?”
    “Secure? I should say. You'll need heavy equipment to move this the way it's wedged in.”
    Jack released his harness, dropped to the side of the plane and moved over to the door.
    “The door's jammed,” Eli told him. “I'll try and free it with my ice axe.”
    Jack nodded. “Okay.”
    Loud booms filled the plane when Eli tried to force the tip of the axe blade between the door and its frame. On his third try he succeeded. Snow drifted through the small gap that appeared at the side of the door.
    “Try pushing it from your side, Jack.” Eli shouted.
    Jack put his shoulder to the door and pushed.
    While the men battled to open the door, the passenger supported himself against the side of the plane, released his seat buckle and slid from the seat. Instead of helping the men with the door, he crawled to the rear of the plane and dragged a large blue bag forward. He then crouched and waited.
    Jack slammed his shoulder against the door, moving it slightly. The door burst open on his second try. The wind brought snow and ice swirling into the plane. Jack shivered as he held out a hand. “Thanks, Eli.”
    Eli shook the offered hand. “No problem. I was passing by and thought I'd drop in.” He glanced into the plane and nodded to the man inside. “Only the one passenger?”
    “Yes, just him !” Jack glared at his passenger. “Leave the bag. We can collect it after the blizzard passes.”
    “The bag's coming with me,” he insisted.
    Jack shook his head. “Okay, but you're carrying it.”
    “You think I'd trust it to your care after a flight like that?”
    “Errrgh. I've never felt like murdering someone until I met you.”
    The man smiled. “You're not the first to say that.”
    “Why am I not surprised?” Jack opened a cupboard, pulled out a thermal Parka jacket and some gloves and slipped them on. “I'll go first and you pass your bag out, that is, if it's okay if I touch it?”
    “There's no need for sarcasm.”
    Jack glared at him again. “Believe me, pal, there is.” Eli helped Jack climb out.
    “Difficult passenger?”
    “You don't know the half of it.” Jack grabbed the blue bag, glanced at the ground a couple of yards below and threw the bag down. He smiled at Eli.
    “You're hoping there's something breakable inside.”
    Jack grinned. “Hoping― I'm praying there is.”
    “I could do with some help here.”
    Jack rolled his eyes and helped his passenger out of the plane.
    The man noticed his bag lying on the ice below and glared at Jack's smirking face.
    “It slipped,” Jack said.
    “You lie as good as you fly, very badly.” The man slid down the ice and retrieved his bag.
    “See what I've had to put up with?” Jack slammed the door shut to prevent the plane from filling with snow and ice.
    Eli laughed.
    Jack glanced up. Snow and ice whizzed over the top of the rift. “How do we get out of here?”
    “We don't. Not until the blizzard passes.”
    “Okay…” Jack sensed the man had an alternative option. “…where do we go?”
    “We go down. Follow me and all will be revealed.” Eli slid to the bottom.
    Jack wondered why Eli was being so cryptic and followed him down.
    “This way, gentlemen.” Eli, walked off.
    Jack watched his irritating passenger hoist the large bag onto his shoulder and follow Eli. Before Jack joined them, he took a last look at his