Page 136 of Afflicted

“It’s alright, Jules,” Silas says, his voice tight as his eyes stay fixed on the road. “It’s OK. I’ll get you out of here.”

“Someone found us.”

His eyes flash up to the rear view mirror before moving back to the path in front of the truck. “I don’t know, but someone’s coming and we’re not sticking around to find out who.”

The truck bumps violently down the uneven drive, Silas moving at a speed that makes my eyes water and my stomach churn. I clutch the bags tighter again in an attempt to stop my hands shaking. I squeeze my eyes shut, sending out a silent prayer to get us out of here, to let us get to safety. I don’t believe in god anymore, in a world like this who would? But maybe, just maybe, someone’s listening.

“Shit.” Silas says the word just as staccato thuds start to echo through the truck. Someone’s firing at us. Silas reaches out, pushing me down further into my seat. “Stay down.”

He weaves on the road, the strikes against the truck’s exterior becoming more random. An engine roars up behind us, getting closer and closer. The truck lurches towards the edge of the road as whoever is behind us nudges the tailgate.

They’re going to kill us. A bullet shatters the rear window and slams into the seat.

I have to do something, I can’t just stay huddled down here. I reach under the dash, and Silas’s eyes flash down to me.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

I yank out the gun he has stashed down there, and wind down my window. “Getting these assholes off our tail.”

“Juliet,get down!” He reaches across to grab me, but I squirm out of his reach.

“Just keep driving!” I wind down the window, leaning out and raising the gun at the drab green jeep that’s right on our tail. I can make out two occupants, but not much more than that. I aim straight at the windshield and squeeze the trigger.

The jeep sways as it tries to avoid the bullet, but it strikes and sends the glass shattering. The jeep shimmies and veers off the road, straight into a tree where it comes to a sharp stop in a shower of metal and steam.

I slide back into the seat, the gun clutched tight in my hands.

“They crashed.” A lump catches in my throat. “Just drive.”

Silas reaches over and puts an enormous hand over mine. “You did great.”

“Thanks. Just drive.”

Silas keeps his hand there until he turns us out onto the highway, and for the next hour, as we get as far away as possible from whoever the hell was pursuing us. He’s not taking any chances.

By the time he pulls over, and takes the gun from my sweaty hands, the lump in my throat is so thick I can’t even speak.

Silas pulls me into his arms, stroking my hair and telling me how amazing and brave I am.

“Did you see who they were?”

I shake my head, wrapping my fingers around the collar of his shirt.

“It doesn’t matter, angel. You did so good. I’m so proud of you.” He runs a hand down my back, and sighs. “I’m so sorry, angel.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I choke out the words, hot tears stinging my eyes. “It’s OK. We’re both OK.”

“No, I mean…” He tilts my head, his eyes searching my face. “We need to get to Roanoke. So you’re safe.”

“Sowe’resafe.”

He nods. “Of course, angel. So we’re safe.”

I tell myself he means it. I tell myself that in a few short hours we’ll be safe in Roanoke, and it’ll all be over.

I tell myself, over and over, and I still don’t believe it.

CHAPTER35

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