Page 41 of Anton

“He’s not sure what’s going on, but he won’t stop until we get to the village.”

The truck sped along, swerving violently as the driver zigzagged on the uneven track in a desperate attempt to evade the gunfire.

An old-fashioned military-style jeep was closing in fast, swerving as the men inside hollered and whooped. I caught a glimpse of their faces—leering, hungry, predatory.

I grabbed Marcie, pulling her lower. “Stay down,” I commanded, my voice rough.

Marcie screamed as she slammed heavily against the side of a crate.

Fuck, I had to do something. Pushing myself up, I grabbed the side of the truck for purchase as I fought against the force of the truck’s swerves and the hot wind tearing at me. Standing in this chaos left me wide open—one bullet, and it’d be over. But there was nothing for it. I had to get to the cab, the old guy would never outrun the hunters by himself.

Bracing myself with one hand on the truck roof, I fought against the strong gusts of air that kept trying to push me back. My heart pounded in my chest as I turned and leaned over the side. I reached the driver’s door and yanked it open with a force that nearly tore it off. “Move!” I shouted, my voice tight with urgency.

The old guy shook his head vehemently, eyes wide with fear, but I wasn’t asking. “Sí, Move!” I barked again. With a reluctant grunt, he shifted, just enough for me to haul myself inside, bracing against the doorframe as the truck veered wildly.

It lurched violently as I collided with the seat, a jolt of pain shooting through my body. I grunted, but didn’t have time to care. The old guy scrambled toward the passenger seat, barely avoiding my elbow. I grabbed the wheel, yanking it hard to the right, narrowly avoiding a ditch.

As soon as I got the vehicle back under control, the jeep came alongside and one of the men aimed his rifle at the cab. A shot rang out, shattering the side mirror.

“Dios!” the old guy shouted, crossing himself just as another shot tore through the passenger side window, hitting him in the head. Blood sprayed across the dash as his body slumped into mine.

“Shit!” I cursed, wrenching the wheel to the side, saving my own head from being blown off just in time.

“Lo siento, señor,” I whispered, pushing the old man’s limp body off me.

Slamming my foot down hard, the old truck surged forward, its engine groaning as it picked up speed. It was in better shape than it looked. As the truck pulled ahead, I kept up the zigzagging motion, mimicking the old man’s evasive driving to keep the jeep from getting in front of us.

I glanced behind to see Marcie moving from her hiding spot.

Shit. “Stay down!” I yelled, but it was no use. Marcie’s shoulders bunched, and she pushed at a crate. The thing flew off the side of the truck and shattered against the road, pears tumbling out and scattering all over, causing the jeep behind us to swerve off the track and flip over, spilling its occupants out.

“Take that, bastards!” Marcie hollered, her voice triumphant.

“Hell yeah! That’s my girl!” I whooped, grinning widely as Marcie squealed in delight.

Just when I thought we could breathe a sigh of relief, another jeep came bounding out of a small side track, barrelling straight for us. I yanked the wheel sharply, just miss a collision by inches.

Inside were the two men who’d spotted our trail—and they’d brought a friend. Their smirks widened as they pulled alongside, the driver slamming their jeep into us, trying to force the truck off the uneven track. Gritting my teeth, I twisted the wheel sharply, the force sending their vehicle veering back.

One of the men stood, bracing against the open roof, and levelling a handgun at us.

“They’re going to shoot out the tires!” Marcie screamed from the back, her voice sharp with fear.

I swerved hard, slamming the truck into their jeep. The impact made their vehicle lurch to the side, wheels skidding on the dusty track, but it didn’t stop them.

The driver shouted something vile, his words making their intentions toward Marcie all too clear.

Hell no. I would die before I let them touch her.

Gripping the wheel tightly, I rammed them again, harder this time. Their jeep lost control, slamming into a tree with a sickening crunch. Flames erupted from under the hood, licking up the sides as the men inside scrambled in a blind panic. Too late. Their screams cut off abruptly as the vehicle was swallowed by fire.

Before I could process it, the truck jolted violently beneath me. The steering wheel jerked in my hands as the engine sputtered and died. A quick glance in the mirror revealed a trail of fuel spilling behind us—busted tank, no doubt from one of their shots.

Grinding my teeth, I fought to keep control of the wheel, coaxing the truck as far as I could before it finally rolled to a stop.

“We’re on foot again,” I said, climbing out.

Marcie followed without a word, her face pale but her jaw set. She glanced at the old guy’s body, tears springing to her eyes as she audibly gulped and squeezed them shut.

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