Colson was already in the driver’s seat, somehow. The engine roared to life, and I was sucked into the seat like an astronaut, by the sudden acceleration.
“Two SUV’s, black, no plates.”
Theo’s voice was all business. His computer was already open in his lap, his handsome face illuminated by the ghostly, almost spectral glow.
“Donovan,” I murmured. “I thought you told him you had me?”
“We did,” Ripley confirmed from the passenger seat. “We told him we were en route.”
The big Suburban fishtailed, throwing us sideways as Colson whipped us onto the main road.
“So why this?” I jerked a thumb.
Ripley shrugged. “Guess we weren’t all that convincing.”
Headlights swept over us, bright and glaring. A moment later, I heard a sharp, unmistakable crack.
“Keep your head down.”
The glass behind us shattered, just as I obeyed. It showered the entire back seat with jagged, tempered pieces. Looking more annoyed than alarmed, Theo swept the shards from the surface of his keyboard.
“There’s a service road up ahead — an old one. It’s not on the digital map.”
Colson was clenching the steering wheel so tightly, I was afraid he might rip it off. His fingers were white.
“How far?”
“Three-tenths of a mile. I’ll tell you when we’re coming up on—”
More gunshots rang out. More glass exploded into the back seat, like some hellish rain. Colson floored it, and the vehicle bounced dangerously on the uneven road.
Then I heard the metallic clink of a gun being cocked, and Ripley was twisting around.
“No!” Colson stopped him, grabbing his friend’s extended arm. “We’re not engaging.”
Ripley shoved his hand away. “You’renot engaging,” he growled. “But I’m sure as shit—”
“NOW!”
The truck fishtailed again, this time at the sound of Theo’s voice. From out of nowhere, a road — more of a path, really — appeared. It swallowed us whole, as Colson barely made the turn.
Behind us, one of the SUV’s missed the turn entirely. Itkept going, red brake lights illuminating the thick forest, as it tried to slow down.
“Lost one!” I cried out, the excitement infectious. “But there’s still one on us.”
The high-pitched screech of branches assailed our ears, as trees flew past us in both directions. They raked the beautiful paint job of our poor truck, as Colson once again applied the accelerator.
“This is tight…” he growled.
“Yeah.”
“Too tight?”
Theo shook his head. “Don’t worry, it opens up. Just—”
CRACK!
The explosion came from inside the car, this time. It was violent. Concussive. Overwhelming.
