Page 20 of Delta Mission
I glared at her. “And cut the crap.”
“Roger that.”
I glanced around the corner one more time, then took off. Makenna was light on her feet and the rustle of her clothing was the only indication she was behind me.
The glow at the end of the tunnel intensified with every step and as we neared the end, an orange sky was visible through a narrow slit.
It must be how the woman escaped.
At the top, the exit was covered by the shell of a rusty car body. Steps carved into the rock of the tunnel led to the trunk of the car, which hadn’t been shut properly and allowed sunlight to penetrate into the tunnel.
I eased my back against the wall. Makenna slotted beside me, and I raised a finger to my lips and mouthed, ‘stay here’.
She nodded.
I adjusted the position of my rifle, crawled up the steps, put my helmet against the trunk, and pushed upward. The hinges screeched as the trunk opened, and I froze.
I shot my gaze over the surroundings and breathed a sigh of relief.
Inching the trunk higher, I climbed over the edge and indicated for Makenna to follow.
We raced around the side of the rusted Toyota.
The roar of an engine carved through the silence, and I darted my gaze left and right. Nothing.
I inched up to peer through the car.
A truck was barreling toward us with dust kicking up behind it like a sandstorm. About twenty men stood on the back, all carrying weapons.
“Fuck, get back in the tunnel,” I said. “Quick!”
I pulled up the trunk, and as Makenna jumped in, a bullet punched into the Toyota’s roof.
I dove in behind her. “Run. Run!” We sprinted down the ramp and through the field of equipment to the rope ladder.
“Go!” I clutched the rope, steadying it.
Makenna raced up like a monkey, shoved open the trapdoor, and launched herself out.
I followed her up and a bullet slammed into my helmet. “Fuck.”
Roaring my fury, I crawled into the shelter, spun back to the hole, pulled the ladder up with me, and shut the trapdoor on top of it.
“Run!” I grabbed Makenna’s wrist and yanked her toward the exit.
Sprinting side by side, we raced out the door, across the road, and into the narrow alley. We burst out the end and skidded to a halt. The kid on the tricycle was right there. He aimed a rifle at us that was longer than his arms.
I snatched it from him, sending the kid flying. He sprawled onto the dirt, rolled onto his back, and ogled us.
I aimed the rifle at the little runt.
“No!” Makenna shoved the rifle away from him.
I glared at her.
“Ah, shit.” I picked the kid up by his scrawny arm. “Tell him to shut the fuck up, or I’ll come back and kill him.”
Makenna relayed my instruction, but the boy just blinked. There was zero fear in his eyes. He was already numb to death.
