Death Diamonds of Bermudez by R. C. Farrington, Jason Farrington

quipped in saying, “Oh, that’s easy, Michael. You’ll take a bite out of one, and we’ll all wait thirty minutes. Then if you don’t get sick or die, we’ll know they’re fine to eat.”
     
    W ith his face turning red, Michael said, “Portagee, bite me!”
     
    Sam laughed and said, “Come on, Michael. Portagee was only kidding. I do think we should exclude mushrooms from our diet though. Maybe we can find a fish trapped in a water pool. ” They all agreed that was a good idea and kept looking for some type of food source.
     
    Meanwhile back at the tunnel entrance Lynch and his thugs were checking over their weapons and supplies. Lynch did a quick inspection man by man. After the inspection Lynch barked out, “Men, this is our mission. This is why we’re here in Bermuda. Somewhere down this tunnel is where we will complete this mission. No one, do you hear me? No one will stop us! Do you understand?”
    The men in unison yelled back, “Yes sir!”
     
    Lynch replied, “Very good.” He went on to say, “We have limited resources, so use them wisely.” Lynch was right. For a paramilitary assault force, they were not very well equipped. They did have multiple semi-automatic pistols and several Uzi sub-machine guns and grenades, plus the most vicious-looking jagged military knives one could imagine.
     
    One of Lynch’s men asked, ‘Sir, may I have permission to speak?”
     
    Lynch replied, “Go ahead.”
     
    The man continued, “I know what to do if either Storm or Savage get in the way of accomplishing our mission, but what about the kids?”
     
    Lynch yelled back, “I will only tell you this once. If anyone at all gets in the way of us and our mission, they will be eliminated no matter what. Do all of you understand that?”
     
    The entire group responded, “Sir, yes sir.”
     
    Lynch replied, “Let’s move out! Klaw, you take the lead and the rest of you fall out behind him at ten foot intervals.” The small group of mercenaries moved out with Lynch bringing up the rear.
     
    Several hours later, Graham and Keno found themselves at what appeared to be a blocked part of the tunnel rocks, wood planks, and old dead brush from flood waters over the years. Keno pointed out to Graham, “Look, I can see light through the cracks in the debris.”
     
    Graham added, “It looks to me that with a little work we can get through this, and then maybe we’re home free.”
     
    Keno replied, “You’re right. Michael, Sam, and Portagee must have gone through this already. They must be home by now.” As they were slowly climbing through the debris Keno heard something behind them. He reached forward and tapped Graham on his shoulder whispering, “Stop moving. Someone’s coming up right behind us.” Both boys tried to conceal themselves in the dead brush hoping that it was Savage and Storm and not the South Africans. As the two Spinners tried to stay in a frozen state they could tell that whoever was following them was not at the tunnel blockage. Graham was thinking to himself as he heard the debris being moved away that this might be the end for him and Keno. Just at that moment the brush he was hiding behind was abruptly moved, exposing him. Before he could move a bright light blinded him. All Graham could yell out was, “Don’t shoot!”
     
    A voice on the other side of the bright light replied, “Not to worry, mate. We lost our pistol, but I might beat you to death with my night stick.” Savage started laughing as he reached through the brush and helped Graham to his feet.
     
    Graham finally got another word out saying, “Thank the Lord it was you, Inspector. I thought it was the South Africans.”
     
    Savage replied, “Don’t feel too at ease. Those bloody killers are not far behind us.”
     
    Storm chimed in, “What’s the light over there that I see through all this mess? Back up the tunnel we thought it was you boys using your flashlights!”
     
    Keno added, “No sir, it wasn’t