My training has taught me to move in near silence, one of the required skills for a courier. Without a sound, I’m right behind the scrawny guy. In a flash, my arm is around his neck, and a hand is over his mouth. I pull hard, cutting off his airflow. He tries to fight, but he’s off-balance. His arms flail in the air. The critical moment when his body goes limp from lack of oxygen is an unmistakable feeling. Consciousness gone. He’ll have one heck of a headache when he wakes up.
With him on the ground, I root through his pockets but find no keys. But I do find a .45 caliber pistol tucked into the back of his pants, which I grab.
The other guy is even easier. He’s crouched and distracted by siphoning gas. It’s a compromising position, and he goes down with almost no struggle.
Still no keys. Shit.
When I see the keys in the ignition of their car, I laugh. Guess I could have run up to the car and driven off. But better to have a head start. And better that they don’t know what I look like or what they’re up against.
I pour the siphoned gas into the tank. It’s not much. I hope it’ll last all the way to Elk Springs. The tires kick up gravel as I race out of the parking lot. My mind is playing out the different scenarios I may face. If I get there first, I’ll warn Zach and convince him of the danger. Get him away and find a safe place to drop him off. Then continue on without him.
But what if I get there and people are already outside the building? Shooting from a distance is an option. Knock them off one by one. But I don’t kill people. Never have. That’s not a line I’m willing to cross lightly.
The last option I don’t want to think about. They’re already there, and they’ve taken Zach prisoner. Forced to choose between the importance of my mission and Zach’s life, would I mount a rescue? I won’t think about that one unless it comes to it.
After a few miles, the engine makes a sputtering sound.Damn it. The guys weren’t lying about the state of the gas tank, and the extra didn’t help much. The car rolls a few hundred more feet until the engine cuts out, the tank empty. I pull off to the side of the road and continue on foot.
It takes over half an hour to make up the distance. I run the entire way. Lightning bolts of pain shoot from my ribs with each foot strike on the road. I only stop once to empty the contents of my stomach onto the pavement.
When I enter Elk Springs, everything looks calm. But while running down Main Street toward the bank, my worst fear plays out before me. Two pickup trucks pull up a few blocks down the road. Thugs armed with rifles step out.
I dig deep and sprint the rest of the way to the bank. When I get there, I bang hard on the door.
“Zach, let me in! It’s Aiden! We’ve got to go now!”
Chapter Nine
Heading Out
ZACH
I’m in the vault when shouts and loud banging come from the front door. I run to the lobby to check it out. As I recognize Aiden’s voice, a mix of relief and anger courses through me.
When I found him gone this morning, I almost shut down as I thought back on being abandoned by my dad in the woods. Aiden leaving me has triggered these old feelings.
I was also filled with deep sadness. I was so ready to leave Elk Springs. And he left without discussing the possibility of my joining him. I didn’t get a chance to tell him about the car. His leaving was the ultimate rejection. He didn’t even say goodbye. The pitiful thing is, I thought we had connected. I guess I can be gullible when a cute guy is involved.
But I won’t let him fool me this time. He probably came back when he found out I was telling the truth about there being no cars. He wants to use me again. I’m sure as heck not letting him back in until I get a proper explanation, including lots of groveling.
“Didn’t find a car, I guess,” I snap at him through the porthole.
“Zach! Thank god! I’ll explain everything, but right now, people with guns are headed this way. We have to go!” Aiden points down the street. Sure enough, five people armed with rifles are only two blocks away.
Crap.
With no time to talk about hurt feelings, I bury the pain, throw open the door, and drag Aiden inside by the scruff of his shirt. The moment he’s in, bullets strike the steel plating, sending metal shrapnel in all directions. I slam the door shut and bar it.
“You just saved my life.” Aiden’s eyes widen as he feels around to be sure he wasn’t hit.
“I guess now we’re even.”
“I’m so sorry, Zach. Those people are here because of me.”
“You can beg for my forgiveness later. Right now, let’s just survive.”
Aiden nods. “Tell me what I can do.”
“Grab that and be ready to draw their fire.” I point to the rifle sitting against the wall.
