Page 23 of Bound By Water
Appeased, I smile. Unlike the last vehicle, this one smells old and a bit musty, which makes my nose wrinkle in protest, but the floor is surprisingly immaculate when I place the two backpacks on it. Someone takes really good care of this car. I hate the idea of stealing, or borrowing, someone’s only car.
“This sucks. What if it’s their only mode of transportation?”
A line appears on his brow. “Better their car than your life.” When I don’t answer, he lifts a shoulder. “The newer models are harder to steal.”
I raise an eyebrow at this piece of knowledge but also reach for the seatbelt. “Fine. But maybe you can find out who they are and send them some money.” When I turn to buckle myself in, I see my suitcase and his duffle in the back seat.
His lips quirk up in a smile. “Deal.” He puts the car in reverse and slowly drives out of the parking lot.
“How long is the drive?” I ask him, stretching out my legs.
“A little over nine hours,” he says with a glance out the window. “Get some rest.”
Exhausted from the last few days, I take off the jacket and stuff it under my head. Eyes closed; I can’t help but think about everything he’s told me and sadly wish I didn’t know any of it. All I want to do is go back to being normal.
CHAPTER12
WILLA
Lionel’s harsh voice brings me out of a deep sleep. “Wake up, Willa. Slip the go pack on your back and put your jacket on over it.” The engine whines as the car picks up speed.
Scared, I immediately sit up and do as he asked.
“What’s happening?” My body sways right, then left, as he jerks the wheel from one lane to the other.
Lionel grimaces when he looks at me. “They found us.”
Bright lights shine from behind along with the roar of an engine. Startled, I turn around, but I can’t see anything. Whatever they’re driving, it’s big. “How?”
He lifts a shoulder. “I don’t know. I knew our chances would be slim once they were on our trail.” He glances at the car next to us. “Their technology is top-notch, government spyware. They can find anybody, anywhere. The plan was to buy us enough time to get to Phoenix.” He slams his palm onto the steering wheel. “Damn it. I didn’t expect them to find us this quickly. We’re still five hours from Atlanta. Tighten your seatbelt.”
We’re flying down the interstate as fast as the old car will go, the guardrail a blur beside us, but it’s obvious we can’t outrun them.
“What are we going to do?” My voice trembles as I ask, although the real question I’m wondering is what they’ll do when they catch us.
Lionel doesn’t answer. His knuckles are white as he grips the steering wheel. At the last second, he takes an off ramp, cutting off a few cars on the right. Horns blare and tires screech as they hit the brakes to avoid hitting us. Not once does Lionel slow down. Nobody follows.
At the bottom of the exit is a gas station. Lionel jerks the wheel, and we fly into the little lot, coming to a stop at the pump on the farthest end. “Get out and stand near the trees. They’ll be here soon.”
I jump out, but I only take a few steps back.
Is he getting gas?
He inserts his credit card and goes through the motions. I hear the screech of tires. They’re coming. I clench my fists, wondering what he’s doing. He flicks the lever on, locks it in place, then drops the flowing pump on the island between the two lanes. Gas starts flowing across the pavement on both sides.
He runs over to my side of the car and jerks open the rear door. Grabbing his duffle, he drops it on the ground beside him, then rifles through it until he finds the guns and ammo. Laying each of them on the ground, he loads them, then takes position over the hood of the car.
I move in closer to him and watch a black SUV screech to a halt. “Original.”
Lionel chuckles but the corners of his eyes never crinkle, which tells me how worried he is right now. “No matter what, stay down.”
Five men wearing dark fatigues get out of the vehicle, but strangely, one stays in the vehicle. He doesn’t move, but I can see glimpses of him when the overhead light shines down on his light brown hair.
Lionel shoots off a round, hitting the ground near the lead guy, making me jump. “That’s far enough. Who are you, and what do you want?”
Undeterred, the guy takes another step closer.
Lionel curses quietly under his breath. “The next one goes in your leg. Don’t test me, boy. Stand down.” The hard cut of his military tone tells him he means business.
