I chased after them as fast as I could, keeping my eyes on the target. I didn't want to let them out of my sight for one second.A lot could happen in that time, and I couldn't afford any more risks.
I reached around Victor's wrecked car and weaved expertly through the trees. Visibility was crap thanks to the heavy rain, but I didn't let that stop me.
I cleared another few feet and, just as Victor glanced behind him, I ducked behind a tree.
My foot landed on something slippery and before I could process what was happening, I crash landed on my face. My entire body shook from its core.
I was dazed by the fall, but I knew I only had seconds to take cover before Victor took a shot at me.
I crab-walked to a tree, sitting with my back against the thick trunk to keep me protected from Victor's fire, and I assessed the situation.
There was a whole body print made out of mud where I'd fallen, and I slid my foot to test the ground.
"I'm such a fool," I spat and took a deep breath.
All this training and I'd gone and slipped on some mud like a failure fresh out of Hell Week.
The gunfire stopped. I dug my hand into the ground and grabbed a stone. I threw it to the side and waited to see if he was still waiting. When nothing happened I poke a hand out.
Nothing.
Victor and Zach were already on the move again when I came out of hiding and I continued my pursuit, this time taking better care of where I landed with each step.
When Victor stopped, I stopped. When he turned, I took cover. When he shot at me, I waited.
This wouldn't get me anywhere if I didn't do something drastic. I had no idea how many acres these woods were, but I couldn't risk them getting through and vanishing like the wind in a stolen car.
"You know I'll get you," I shouted from behind a tree.
There was no response. I wasn't expecting one.
"You can't escape. You're surrounded," I continued.
I wasn't trying to stop him or to force him to answer. I was doing the best next thing—trying to mess with his head. I didn't need much. Just a little opening. Just a lapse in judgement. That was all it would take to bring him down.
There was a shot and a shuffle. I came out of hiding and advanced on them, then took cover once he noticed me.
Zach looked petrified. My stomach turned. How much more did he have to endure at that man's hands? How could I have let this happen?
I hated myself. I should have done a better job at keeping him safe. At convincing him Victor couldn't hurt me no matter how hard he tried. At telling him how much I loved him and how much worse my life would be without him in it.
"You really think you can beat me?" I shouted. "I'm a Navy SEAL, Lombardi. You're a nothing. I can go on forever. How far do you think you'll get in this weather, looking like that?"
"Dare, don't—" Zach shouted.
My heart thumped in my chest. Even him calling my name threatened to make me break down. The fact that he still thought he needed to protect me when he was the one being held at gunpoint humbled me.
I stepped out from my cover to find Victor and Zach advancing deeper into the woods and I used that opportunity to look through the scope of my handgun. Sighting them, I fired a warning shot and ducked behind the same tree as Victor turned around and retaliated.
I dropped to my knees and popped out ready to fire again.
Bang.
Something pinched my arm. I hissed. Victor started running. I raised my hands to shoot at him, but my left arm was weaker than it was two seconds ago.
I felt a sting on my upper arm and as soon as I turned to look at it, it throbbed. Blood had painted my arm red, oozing from a gaping hole in the middle of my bicep.
As realization hit me, so did the pain. A growl escaped my lips before I could control it, and I dropped behind the tree before Victor used his advantage and delivered a death blow.
