“The noose is tightening around us. We’re running out of time,” she says in a small voice.
“We’re going to be okay,” I tell her, even though I’m not sure I believe it.
I put my arm around her shoulders and guide her to the car.
I snort. “I’m not sure how we made it here in Falkor’s old car.”
She laughs, and it comes out a little shrill. “You’re right, but then again, older vehicles are built to last.”
I climb into the driver’s seat of Falkor’s car. It’s a light blue 1995 Toyota Camry that’s still running well. I suspect that the elderly male has looked after it. The beige exterior has faded to something closer to cream, and there’s a dent in the rear bumper, but the engine purrs like it was built yesterday. The interior smells like old leather and air freshener; the seats are worn but comfortable.
“This thing is ancient,” I mutter as I climb behind the wheel.
“Ancient but reliable,” Wren says, buckling herself in. “Like Falkor himself. It’s also really spacious.”
I grunt in agreement and pull out of the clearing, heading back the way we came. The narrow dirt road is barely wide enough for the Camry. I have to drive a little slower than I would in my own vehicle.
Wren keeps the burner phone in her lap, her eyes fixed on the screen.
“Anything?” I ask.
“Not yet.”
We drive in silence for a while.
The jungle starts to thin out as we get closer to civilization. Houses begin to appear through the trees, scattered at first, then closer together. We keep going, getting closer to the city. We’re maybe five minutes from Falkor’s neighborhood when the phone buzzes.
Wren opens the message, concentrating on the screen.
“What is it?” I ask, trying to keep my eyes on the road while watching her face.
“It’s the checkpoint locations,” she says, her voice tight. “I’m just making sure…”
Then her face goes pale.
“What is it?”
“Crap,” she whispers. “There’s one right up ahead.”
“Shit.” I look for somewhere to turn, but there are no side streets.
My dragon surges inside me, but I shove him down hard.
Not now. Not fucking now.
I slow down, still not seeing a side street. There are none that I remember.
Fuck it.
I check my mirrors, wait for a gap in traffic, then crank the wheel hard. The Camry’s tires squeal as I pull a U-turn, heading back the way we came.
I glance in my rearview mirror and see a Draig Security vehicle pull out from behind a parked car. It does a U-turn as well.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
No!
Maybe it’s not coming after us. I keep driving, pressing the accelerator just a touch, sure to stay within the speed limit.
