Page 76 of Survive the Night
Although she hated to stop kissing him, Sarah knew he was right. With a sigh, she pulled his head down. His mouth was tempting, but she knew it’d be even harder to stop a second time. Instead, she gave him a peck on the nose that made him smile. Seeing that was almost as belly-melting as his kisses.
Giving her a final hug, Otto released her. Sarah felt a surge of anger for Aaron. He never could let her be. He was determined to ruin every ounce of happiness she managed to find. This time, though, he wouldn’t win. She was hanging on to Otto with everything she had.
Xena pressed against Sarah’s side, as if making sure she wouldn’t be left behind. Reaching down, she stroked the dog’s head reassuringly.
Otto moved to the human-sized door, rather than raise the overhead one again. Silently opening the door, he looked around and then motioned for Sarah to come out. She braced herself for the wind, but the night was still. Although a little snow still fell, it was in soft, large flakes, rather than the hard ice pellets that had stung her face the entire ride to town. Sarah looked around at the way the security lights softly lit the property, showing the snowy blanket that covered everything. It was beautiful, like a Christmas card.
Their footsteps were silent in the soft layer of snow, so the only sound was the occasional swish of rubbing fabric as they walked. Shouldn’t there be other sounds? Sarah found herself walking faster. The snow-covered surroundings and too-silent night seemed suddenly eerie, rather than peaceful.
They were crossing an open section, and she picked up the pace so that she was right behind Otto. It felt too exposed, like anyone could see them. The shadows around them suddenly had a thousand eyes, all focused on Sarah. There was a strange buzz in the distance, so faint that Sarah wondered if she was imagining it. After all, her imagination seemed to be operating at full force at the moment.
One of the shadows detached from a clump of trees and headed toward them. Sarah sucked in a breath, ready to warn Otto, but he’d already drawn his gun. He knew. The figure got closer, not seeming at all intimidated by the weapon pointed at him. Sarah’s muscles tensed and her heart started pounding.
“Sarah, get back to the workshop,” Otto barked, the quietness of his words not diminishing the command.
Sarah moved to obey, but she only took a step back before the approaching man’s voice reached her. Her body went wobbly with relief.
“Otto.” It was Lieutenant Blessard.
“Why are you out of the bunker? Has it been breached?”
A shock of fear hit Sarah at the thought, but the lieutenant shook his head. “When you didn’t return to the bunker, I thought you might need help. Blanchett’s people are headed this way.”
The relief of a moment ago was gone again. How had Aaron found them? He had to be tracking them, but how?
“We need all our trained guys back here. Sarah, come with me back to the bunker. Otto, take the dog and find Theo and Hugh. The people in town can wait. They’ll be safe. Blanchett knows the women are here.” He looked grim. “This is where he’s going to focus all his firepower.”
The continuous buzzing sound was getting louder, and it finally struck Sarah what the sound was—snowmobiles. Her heart beat quickly in her chest, and she tried to slow her breathing. Hyperventilating wouldn’t help anyone.
“Otto.” Blessard closed his fingers around Sarah’s arm and tugged. “Go!” Xena gave a low growl, and Sarah looked at Otto. Blessard was his lieutenant, not hers. She trusted Otto, and she’d only take commands from him.
“They’re too close.” Otto grabbed her hand, pulling her arm out of Blessard’s grip, and sprinted through the snow toward the workshop. Sarah, with Xena right behind her, ran with him, but the snow was deep enough to make each step a huge effort. It was a familiar nightmare—trying to sprint away from danger but only managing a slog.
“Do you think they’ll find the bunker?” Sarah asked, her voice as soft as she could make it. Her words still sounded too loud.
“It’s hidden well,” Otto said, although Sarah noticed that wasn’t exactly a no.
“What if I lead them away?” Her voice shook, but she still forced out the words. Aaron was her monster. She’d brought him to this wonderful little town that had been nothing but kind to her. It was her responsibility to deal with the army he’d brought to Monroe.
“No.” It was a growl more than a word.
The workshop was getting closer, but they were taking too long. Biting back a sound of fear, Sarah continued fighting through the snow. Even if they couldn’t reach the building, they could hide in the trees scattered around. Anything would be better than this full exposure, their dark forms standing out starkly against the white ground, with no camouflage in sight.
There was a low grunt behind them, and Sarah turned her head just in time to see Blessard trip and fall, his body hitting the snow full-length from his face to his toes.
“Keep heading to those trees,” Otto commanded as he released her, rushing back to help the lieutenant to his feet. As he stood, Blessard gave a pained yelp, his body sagging sideways.
“I did something to my ankle.” His words ended in a groan as his right side collapsed again, almost dragging Otto to the ground. Sarah moved to Blessard’s right and pulled his arm around her shoulders.
“Sarah.” Otto’s glance was filled with worry—but also admiration. “Run. I’ll help him.”
“We’ll both help him.” It was harder than she expected. Every step was difficult. Every move from Blessard threatened to bring him down—and her with him. She wondered if he had a concussion as well, because his balance seemed to be affected. If the earlier run had seemed nightmarish, this was even worse. Their progress changed from feet to inches, and the buzzing was getting ever louder. The snowmobiles would be on them at any second, and they were still a good distance from the cover of the trees. Otto turned so he was facing them.
“Let go,” Otto said, and Sarah obeyed automatically, releasing Blessard’s arm. Before the lieutenant could crumple to the ground, Otto hoisted him up over his shoulder. “Run.”
She ran. Without Blessard’s weight pulling her off-balance, she felt like she was flying, even despite the deep drifts. Several single headlights appeared over the ridge, reflecting off the snow until an entire army appeared about to run them down. With a final blast of effort, Sarah dove for cover behind a short, bushy pine tree growing crookedly next to the barn. Xena quickly huddled next to her, and Otto carefully moved Blessard off his shoulder, settling him on the snowy ground.
They crouched behind the tree, peering through the prickly branches at the cluster of five snowmobiles in the yard. Sarah counted eight people dressed in winter camouflage before the engines were turned off and the lights extinguished.
