I could not remember ever having been so tired.

Only this morning we arrived in Los Angeles, me being so happy to be finally able to land the plane I flew. After all, it had been ages since I last flew, and yesterday, hijacking a plane was the only option to get out everybody safely from the Columbian woods.

After the plane was being pulled in one of the hangars and the doors once got closed, a whole bunch of federal officers came in. Four of them took our 5 'passengers' away, the other three were there for the team and me. Of course, there was a medical crew as well. I was sure one of the Japanese needed immediate care, it was obvious even in Columbia. One of the reasons we just took this plane and not take all those people away by foot. How could we have known that on this rescue mission of the British 'journalist', we would also find four more hostages? Both the Japanese must have been there over a year, and the Norwegian geologist even longer. And there was the American photographer. Seriously, no way this was his real profession…

Anyway, I was glad to be in the US safely right now and the only thing I longed for – so must have been for my teammates – was a shower and a bed.

The last time I really slept was in the aircraft carrier, before we got in the helicopter, ready to be dropped over the region of Medellin. After that, only the so familiar catnaps, until we reached the encampment we knew our man would be.

Freeing him, and with him the four others, went easier than we thought. The team had so much experience on hostage-saviors and missions abroad. It was a real A-team of the dare devils of the SAS. This time we had to use a bit of imagination and the plane we saw on the airstrip seemed to be the quickest and safest way to leave the country.

"We would like you to come with us so we can drive you to one of our safe-houses", one of the officers said. "DEA, Simms", he introduced himself, showing his badge and a bunch of papers, "because we noticed this airplane you just brought in, is filled with drugs, together with a list of some addresses here in town. We would like you to talk us in about your mission, after you have rested for a while. The only thing we heard was that a team of Brits coming in with a plane, bringing in some hostages they freed from Colombia. Mentioning Colombia always makes authorities call in DEA, you see. Now, my colleagues will drive you to a safe house in town".

The guys of my team must have felt the same as I did, being tired and feeling dirty after hiking through the jungle for over 4 days.

"Hope this safe house has fridges filled with beer", Smith laughed. "And a tv for watching soccer, maybe?" Donegal hoped. Davis and Green were quieter, but I could see they both needed lots of sleep. Without any comments we just climbed in to the two dark blue suburbans that came driving in, having us driven away from the hangars to lord-knows what part of the city… which was, to my relief, near Santa Monica pier, a place I visited before, years ago. Oh, Los Angeles. The city I had always wanted to revisit, although I never thought it would be like this!

Both the officers stayed, parking one of the cars in front and the other one at the backside of the building.

XXXXXXXX

After it had been my turn in the shower, it appeared that our hosts did not have any fresh clothes for me. That's why I suggested to one of the officers, who introduced himself as officer Smith, that I wanted to get some at the nearby mall. He had no problems with that at all and did not plan to accompany me. Since I had no money at all, he grabbed for his wallet, but he remembered he left his jacket in the car and told me I could get it on my way out.

"Be back soon then. Shall I bring anything for you guys?" No one responded, so I left.

XXXXXXX

The moment I closed the back door hell broke loose. I simply was pushed away, not completely aware that it was because of an enormous explosion. I landed hard on the parking lot near the car parked there, getting hands and knees torn up from the cement.

From being deaf to hearing ringing in my head everywhere, I looked back and saw the whole building being completely destroyed, falling apart like a toy house.

And then the sudden reality. Nobody could have gotten out this house alive. The building I left was gone and so was everybody inside. My team was gone, my friends. And I knew I should have died in that place as well.

The only thing that was on my mind was getting away from this disaster. Wanting to be home, feel save, cry, be comforted … But there was nobody around to help me, the only person left was I and instead of more panic right now I reasoned I needed money and clothes and some place to rest. For a moment I considered taking the car in which we came, but perhaps whoever blew up the safe house would be looking for the car too.

I took the money from the jacket in the car and looked if there was anything else I could use. Nothing, but in a reflex I decided to take the papers the officer put in the glove box as well.

After that I walked away.