Page 55 of Deadly Sights

We exit the building to the sun dipping halfway below the horizon.

On the way to the car, I whisper to Nadira, “Do you feel that?”

“Mm-hmm. Someone’s watching us.”

“Quick, follow me.” I grab her hand and sprint toward the tree line, dodging a gunshot that splinters against the ground where I stood moments before. Another bullet whizzes by us from another direction.

We zig-zag until we make it to the relative safety of the woods. I motion for her to follow me. Without knowing the equipment our enemies have, we’re at a disadvantage. I have to assume they’re using a thermal scope and can pick up our heat signatures. To hide our presence, I lead us to a dense copse of trees and trees with trunks wide enough to camouflage us.

But staying hidden and being on the defensive is not a survival strategy. Although this is my terrain, a place I’ve memorized from all the times Chloe, Nadira, and I snuck into the woods to do extra training so we became the top of our classes, our weapons can’t compete with the long range of a sniper. And there are two on our heels. Despite the obstacles facing us, we can even the odds.

I lean into Nadira and whisper as low as possible to not betray our position. “Hug my waist and step where I step.”

She nods and wraps her arms around my middle.

I wish I could take the time to relish the unquestioning trust she places in me, but I’ll have to wait until we’re safe before I celebrate this milestone. I navigate us through the woods, disturbing areas to lead our pursuers astray. When we clear the most dangerous area, the sun has completely set and darkness blankets the woods.

“Can you still climb?” I ask.

She nods and points to a tree with enough foliage to hide her from view while giving her the advantage of a sneak shot for the people following us.

I point toward another tree, then to myself. The other position will give us the advantage and will allow us to ambush whoever is after us. After ensuring she gets a safe distance from view, I take my place.

The people following us are good. In the night’s stillness, they don’t make a sound, snap a fallen twig, or crunch a leaf in their pursuit. The minutes fill with tension, but Nadira and I have faced this type of danger before. We have the patience to wait for the right time to make our move.

A feminine scream cut short followed by a spray of high-powered bullets hitting the surrounding trees leaves me with a sense of satisfaction. One pursuer has fallen into one of the many traps Nadira, Chloe, and I made as kids. But one person remains. I doubt they will fall victim so easily to the underground spikes hidden under years of fallen foliage.

Two muffled shots sound from Nadira’s direction. I stare into the darkness, trying to penetrate the denseness that will tell me if she’s okay, but my vision can’t pierce the shadows. I silently make my way down, unwilling to risk being safely hidden away if Nadira’s in distress. When I round her location, I barely have time to avoid the knife that thunks into the tree trunk where my head was. A slight sting on my cheek tells me I didn’t escape unscathed.

“Shit, Julian! I could have killed you.” Nadira grabs my face and wipes the moisture away. “Dammit. I hope it doesn’t scar.”

I pull her hand away. “So what if it does? We’ll be a matched pair.”

She shakes her head. “Does nothing faze you?”

“Not when you’re by my side.” I remove her knife and return it to her. “I assume the shots I heard came from you.”

“Yeah. I left him alive, but we’re not safe here.” She pulls the man’s gun over her head and slings it toward her back.

“I have a place. Let’s get him secured then get as many files as we can.” I heft the unconscious man over my shoulders. “I’ll lead the way.”

We retrace our steps to reach the clearing and pause. Neither of us senses anything amiss, so we rush to the car.

“Those motherfuckers shot out all four of the tires.” Nadira kicks a flat tire in frustration.

“I can’t say that’s unexpected.” I open the back of the SUV and dump our hostage inside.

“I guess I’ll have to kill this asshole, or else he’ll be more trouble than we can handle when he wakes.” She pulls her gun and aims.

“Don’t be too hasty.” I find the case of syringes Alastair packed and inject the unconscious man with the one I need. Then I call Alastair.

“This better be important. My souffle is at a delicate stage.”

“We were ambushed and our car’s disabled.”

“I’m on my way.”

“Before you leave, I have a list of things I need you to bring.” I give him everything Nadira and I need.

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