Page 75 of Waves of Fury

Before I can contemplate the answers to any of those questions, Tyler’s voice carries over the wind that’s threatening to knock me off my feet.

“He got one! Jesse got one!”

Relief floods through me. He secured a vehicle, which means we’re getting the hell out of here. At the very least, we’ll be somewhat protected by the elements.

“Let’s gooo,” Tyler hollers as he nears us, snagging my bicep. “They’re in pursuit!”

He’s panting heavily but doesn’t stop running, this time damn near dragging me along. I pick up my feet to match his pace so he doesn’t have to haul me along. Chancing a quick look over my shoulder, I notice the bouncing flashlights of everyone in our group as they rush to keep up.

Light bursts across my vision and all the hairs on my arms stand on end. The subsequent, deafening boom has me stumbling, falling face first hard to the dirt.

“Holy shit, that was close,” Aaron barks out. “That strike was right there—”

He’s cut off by another strike not fifty feet from the one that almost took me out. Lightning is now zapping down from the heavens as though it’s trying to extinguish us one by one. There’s no rhyme or reason to our running. We’re all just hoping to get the hell through this desert and into the car Jesse got before we’re electrocuted to death.

We’re nearly back to the main road, the car with Kyle’s dead body coming into view. Before we reach it, another massive lightning strike hits the vehicle.

Boom!

Shrinking away from the explosion, I stare in stunned disbelief. The car is on fire now and the lightning is stalking us—playing with us like a cat with a terrified mouse.

We zig and zag in an effort to avoid the strikes, but it’s impossible to predict where they’ll hit.

Up ahead, headlights bounce toward us.

“It’s Jesse,” Tyler calls out over the thunder and harsh winds. “We’re almost there!”

The large SUV charges for us and then screeches to a halt on the asphalt.

“Get in!” Jesse yells. “Hurry up!”

I rush over to one of the back doors closest to me and fling it open. Grabbing Tyler’s arm, I shove him into the SUV. Then I grab the next person—Hope—and toss her inside next. Dan and his family are on the other side, also climbing in. Wayne, the largest man in our group, has taken the front seat beside Jesse.

Aaron forces me into the vehicle next and he scrambles in after me. When he turns around to help Gerry, a brilliant flash of light blinds me.

Boom!

The SUV rocks violently and everyone screams in response. Something catches fire near the SUV and the scent of burned human flesh and hair permeates my senses. It takes half a second to realize it’s Gerry.

He’s been hit.

And now he’s on fire.

Oh God.

Aaron leaps out of the vehicle with me on his heels. We manage to roll Gerry until the flames on his coat and hair are extinguished. He’s not moving and reeks of sickly charred skin. I’m barely able to suppress a gag.

Together, we hoist him into the vehicle, where Dan is able to drag him toward the back. Aaron and I both make it inside unscathed.

“Everyone in?” Jesse yells. “We’ve got company!”

I don’t manage to get the door closed before Jesse pulls a sharp U-turn, nearly sending me tumbling out of the vehicle. Aaron grabs me by my backpack before I hurtle to the asphalt. I yank the door closed.

The SUV is a nice size, but we’re all crammed in, sitting on top of one another and smashed in uncomfortably.

Pop!

The rear window bursts into a million pieces. What the hell? People are shooting at us. In a motherfucking lightning storm. Jesse guns it, sending all of us careening into each other. Grunts and curses can be heard over the shots, thunder, and squealing of tires.

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