Page 107 of Hidden Chance

“I’ve given my life to this cause,” Zin said. “You think I care about my mortal body? I know where I’ll go when I die. I know the riches I will possess in the nextlife. It has been an honor serving, but my goal has always been what I will go to next.”

Robby and Peter fired at the same time Zin did.

Zin fell to the ground, dead, as Jemi grunted and staggered back.

“No!” Peter grabbed her.

“Nice shooting,” she said, her voice slurred in pain. “Both of you. But why aren’t you running for the exit?”

“You’ve done enough on this trip. It’s time to let me take the reins for once.” He pulled her hand away from her side. “Maybe we got lucky, and it didn’t hit anything.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll only slow you down,” she said softly, looking into his eyes. “Take Hannah and go. Get her out of here. Maybe this was the whole reason God brought me back. To make sure the rest of you get out of here alive.”

Peter cupped her cheek. “My love, do you really think there is any way on God’s green earth that I would ever leave you here?”

She smiled. “No. But I needed to state the obvious.”

“I almost lost you to cancer. There is no way I’m going to let a bullet be the thing that separates us now.”

“You want me to carry her?” Robby said.

Peter glared at him. “I’ve got it. You shoot the bad guys, and Hannah, you stay in the middle.”

“No one’s carrying me,” Jemi said, trying to push onto her feet.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Peter lifted her easily, and they started forward.

“Hang on,” Hannah said. “What if someone turns up behind us?”

“Let’s trade.” Peter turned to expose the gun at his hip.

“But I’ve never fired a weapon before.”

“I’m sorry to do this to you, but it’s already loaded. Keep it pointed at the ground and only put your finger on the trigger when you’re ready to fire. Please, Hannah. I need your help.”

“Give me the laptop,” Jemi said. “Hurry.”

Hannah huffed but obeyed. She laid the computer carefully in Jemi’s arms and pulled the gun from Peter’s belt, holding it like it was diseased.

Robby wrapped her fingers around the grip and tightened his own on hers. “You can do this. Let’s go.”

“Don’t think about it. Just…” Jemi laid her head on Peter’s shoulder.

“Time to go,” Robby said, leading the way, while Hannah followed behind, checking over her shoulder. Her hands were shaking and sweaty.

When Robby fired his weapon, she jumped, swinging her gun around and taking aim, but they were all down before she could do anything.

“The exit is right up here.”

After shooting the three men who were outside, Robby got Peter, Jemi, and Hannah out the door while he watched the hall behind them. He took out the guard that came around the corner, glad Hannah didn’t have to face him.

“You guys stay here. I’ll go get the gate open.”

He disappeared into the dark, and Peter loweredJemi to the ground. “I can take the gun while we—Hannah!”

She turned and fired, yelping when the man dropped.

“Nice work,” he said. “Direct hit.”

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