77.
   “I promise.”, I whispered. I held her close as Buenos Aires slowly disappeared beneath us. The dogs leaned over the rail of the basket and held each other as they gazed downward. The balloon fluttered and flapped. The banker skins brushed against the socialite’s as the balloon folded against itself. The thought of anything happening to Claudia didn’t even register. How could it? She put her cheek to my chest. I must use this respite to take stock, I thought. What the hell am I doing here? What else is following us, waiting for us? Is there anything at all I can do about all this besides listen and survive? I thought of Boris and felt a wrenching in my gut. He told us to go to the Giant of the Atacama and that is what we will do. I felt Claudia’s breath on my chest and closed my eyes. She began to cry again. I buried my face in her hair. I kissed her on the cheek. I can help Claudia, I thought.

   The balloon swelled into its full shape growing taught as a drum as if taking in a chest full of air before rushing into the clouds.