Page 98 of Captured

Pop! Pop!

I stopped in my tracks, spinning around toward the sound. I couldn’t stop shaking. I heard what sounded like shouts seconds later and bounded toward the noise only to chastise myself for being stupid. It was obvious the island was under attack.

After taking a few more steps, the darkness became more oppressive since the exterior lights weren’t nearly as bright where I was standing. The moment I rushed forward again, I tripped over something, falling smack onto my face. Pain tore through me as I shot forward. When I finally stopped moving, I pressed my scraped palms against the ground, dirt and rocks digging into my hands.

The moment I lifted my body by a few inches, a flash of lightning lit up not just the night sky but also the very dead body of a soldier on the ground. I let out a sharp, involuntary cry, fighting the waves of terror sweeping through me.

This was insane, the moment exactly like what had happened the night I was taken. Only this time, the man I’d once though a monster was the good guy. I heard footsteps, men racing behind me. It sounded like the house was being invaded.

A strange groan came from the edge of the forest, another flash of lightning highlighting Rico as he stumbled toward me, grabbing my arms. “Thank God, you’re alright.”

“What’s happening?” I asked, shaking violently as the rain started to fall.

He took a deep breath as additional shots were fired, pulling me behind him. As soon as I glanced around his arm, I screeched seeing two darkly clothed and hooded men standing just off to the side.

“Get down!” Rico yelled, firing off shot after shot.

I dropped to the ground, skidding a second time, throwing my head over my shoulder to try to continue watching the new round of horror unfolding. He had an assault rifle in his hand, powering off shots, adding to the eerie glow. More gunshots were fired from several directions.

“Fuck. They’ve claimed the house.” He pulled me up by my arm, forcing me to race into the coverage of the forest. Only when we’d gone at least twenty yards into the thick foliage did he stop.

“Chase Baxter. He’s one of my father’s friends.” I struggled to say.

“Fuck me. The satellite is down, the fucking place surrounded. You need to listen to me. Go deeper into the woods and hide. They’re after you.”

“How the hell did they get on this island?”

“Helicopters. Military grade. Under the radar.”

“Because it’s the police chief behind the attack.” The rain started coming down harder, making it almost impossible to see anything around us. I wasn’t certain if I’d ever felt so terrified in my life.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

“Fuck,” he hissed again. “Yeah, likely so. I need to gather the remaining men and knock them down. Since you can’t be in the house and in the panic room, you’re going to need to stay calm and focused and hide. Can you do that?”

“In the forest?”

“Just stay in close proximity. Go straight back. You should be okay. I’ll come get you.”

“I can do that. What about Styx? Will he be okay?” I didn’t need a flash of lightning to tell me Rico was worried.

“He’s tough. Don’t worry about him. Just stay safe.” He squeezed my arms just as another round of gunfire pounded through the air.

I waited only a few seconds before taking off running. I had no flashlight, only what was left of the twilight barely managing to peek in through the trees. I would fucking feel my way if I needed to.

The seconds ticked by so fucking slowly, turning into agonizing minutes, but finally the sound of the gunfire lessened until it ceased to exist. Or maybe it was nothing more than wishful thinking. I stopped long enough to catch my breath, debating whether or not to try to find my way back. No. I had to follow Rico’s orders. I had a feeling my life depended on it.

Thankfully, I only tripped once as I ventured even deeper into the forest, managing to catch myself before I took another tumble. Now, exhausted, soaked from the rain, I pinned myself against a large tree, still listening for any sounds. I could swear I heard an approaching plane. A smile crossed my face. That had to be Styx. Thank God he was here. He would come and save me. I knew he would.

Now I was putting him into a heroic category. I laughed bitterly, hating the way I continued to shake. At least another five, maybe ten minutes passed. Was I hearing additional gunfire?

I was ready to slump down, staying right where I was when an explosion rocked the area. Yelping, I stumbled forward, gasping for air.

No. No. No!

What if his plane had been blown up? I couldn’t lose him. No. I just…

Crack.

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