CHAPTER 36

BERNARDO AND HENRIQUE WERE taking a little breath, climbing that flight of stairs was not easy. Bernardo had lived there for over eight years and had never walked to the twelfth floor, and it was at that moment that he realized how out of shape he was.

They both didn't believe it when they arrived.

BERNARDO WALKED TO THE KITCHEN and drank some water.

When he closed the refrigerator door, he realized that a note was stuck to the door.

We are with your daughter, give us the boy and we will return her safe and sound...

His blood froze at the same moment, his body was completely paralyzed, his life with his daughter passed before his eyes in a fraction of a second.

–– What happened? - Asked Henrique.

–– My daughter...

He was going to continue, but they both heard a noise coming from the living room, luckily, the kitchen had two exits and they went to Bernardo's room in absolute silence, they knew that any misstep and their lives would be in danger.

More than I already was...

After they entered and cautiously locked the door, Bernardo whispered in Henrique's ear.

–– There is only one way to get out of here without him catching us, have you ever parachuted out of your life?

Henrique was truly terrified of heights, just by climbing a few flights of stairs he was dizzy, let alone jump twelve floors.

–– You can only be crazy – whispered Henrique, finding that the most absurd idea he had ever heard in his life – if I am going to die, I will die at his hands, at least he will do it like a professional.

–– Crazy or not, I have to save my daughter, are you coming?

BERNARDO BEGAN PRACTICING extreme sports after one of his reports on parachuting and hang gliding, after that he became addicted, mainly due to free-fall.

BERNARDO THROWED A BACKPACK at Henrique and, while explaining how to activate it, put his own.

He opened the window and asked:

–– Is ready?

Henrique had not yet had the courage to put on his backpack, let alone jump.

They heard Armand scream from the other side of the door, and starting to kick it, Bernardo finished putting on his backpack, but there was no time to put on the safety accessories.

–– Come on, boy, for God's sake! - Bernardo shouted.

Henrique was completely paralyzed.

Armand managed to break down the door and Bernardo jumped out the window.