Page 130 of Us Dark Few

“Now.” Takeshi gestured to Brock, and they snuck behind the stone pillar. They glanced at each other and nodded, aiming their guns at the guards. A second passed, and two soft zaps echoed from the guns, and both guards crashed to the floor with a loud thud.

Her eyes widened as Takeshi hurriedly waved them over.

“Move.”

Like a shot out of a cannon, they ran for the open door. Khalani’s legs beat under her, and she tripped over a rock and lost her footing, falling flat on her face. A strong arm quickly tugged Khalani to her feet.

“Don’t stop, Kanes.” Takeshi frowned, scanning over her with concern. She brushed herself off and continued forward when hard thumps sounded from behind them.

They turned in horror as a guard appeared in the hallway, his eyes widening in shock when he took in the scene before him. The young guard glanced at the two dead men on the ground and hastily shuffled a walkie out of his pocket.

“Code Red! We have an esc—”

Takeshi raised his gun and shot him in the head. The boy’s eyes were still open in pure terror as he collapsed.

“Let’s go!” He grabbed her arm as she picked her jaw from the floor, and they surged toward the doors. They bolted through the gates, and five transports were parked outside the entrance. Brock, Derek, Serene, and Adan got in one, and Winnie waited in another.

“Hurry.” Winnie waved them over.

Khalani and Takeshi raced forward. Takeshi got in the driver’s seat, and as soon as she sat down, they raced off.

The wind beat her face as Takeshi drove the transport to its limits. Her heart beat so fast, it blended into one sound as they surged down the long, dark cave, away from Braderhelm.

A few minutes later, Brock pulled the transport to a screeching halt. Khalani had to brace a hand in front of her as Takeshi slammed on the brakes. They all jumped out, and Brock started feeling along the walls.

“Where are you?” Brock mumbled to himself.

Her anxiety was crippling as she nervously glanced in the direction of Braderhelm. If any guards heard that last message, they’d be coming down on their location any moment.

“Got it!” Brock exclaimed and flipped open a switch to reveal an electric pad. He quickly input a sequence of numbers and stood back.

Nothing happened.

“Um, Brock, where’s the secret entrance?” she asked.

Brock frowned and entered the numbers again. No movement. Not even a whisper.

“Shit!” He slammed the thing. “They must have changed the password.”

Takeshi cursed as their plan began to crumble into a grave. There was no backup. Nowhere else they could escape or find refuge.

“Move out of the way!” Adan pushed Brock aside and started toying with the back of the pad, pulling wires out and connecting them.

The distinctive hum of transports shooting over magnets echoed through the cave. They whipped their heads in that direction, an all-consuming fear coiling tight around their necks.

“Hurry, Adan!” Serene exclaimed.

“Just a sec.” Adan frowned, laboring over the wires.

Bang!

A gunshot bounced off the walls, and they dropped to the ground, covering their heads. Lights from transports barreled at full speed, revealing their location.

There was no cover or place to hide.

A few more shots echoed past them, and Khalani heard someone cry out.

“Got it!” Adan yelled, and a small section of the wall parted, revealing an elevator.

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