Nothing.
Only vacant property between me and the first Jeep.
Could it be that easy? Had fate finally decided to let us win?
My eyes danced from guard box to guard box. Last night’s ceremony was a special occasion where the rules on security were loosened. However, there should be at least one guard.
No one.
It wasn’t uncommon, but it didn’t ease me. It only made my condition fan out, seeking any emotional sway to signal humans were there just unnoticed.
My attention fell on the single cabinet bolted to the ground in the middle of the parking lot. The lock box housed the keys to the twenty or so Jeepswaiting to take the freshly slept workers to replace the night shift.
The cabinet didn’t require a key but a pin code.
And I knew the pin code.
My mother’s birthday.
Waving at Nila to follow, I dashed across the dirt and quickly fumbled with the tumbler.
Please, don’t let it be changed.
That would just be my fucking luck.
It took three long seconds before the padlock sprang open.
Thank God.
My hands shook as I grabbed the set labelled with the closest Jeep’s license plate.
So close.
Please, let us get out of here.
My thoughts became prayers, paving the way to hopeful freedom.
Waving for Nila to dash from her hiding spot, I shoved her toward the car. “Go.”
She didn’t hesitate.
Together, we bolted around the vehicle and I unlocked the doors. Throwing myself into the driver’s side, I swallowed the gasp of pain from my side. Nila leapt in the passenger side and I shoved the key into the ignition.
Nothing happened.
I stomped on the gas, twisting the key.
Again, nothing.
“What the fuck?” My eyes flew between the dead dashboard to the rapidly cresting sunshine.
We’re running out of time.
I tried again, shoving the pedal to the floor.
Start. Please, fucking start.
The engine suddenly sputtered into life, coughing.
