Page 112 of Santiago's Conquest (Four Dark Horsemen 1)

Callum shakes his head in disbelief. “None of us know how to drive.”

So fucking what? Nothing can stop me now. I won’t let some small bump in the road ruin this gift the universe has granted me.

I snap my fingers, fumbling with the keys. “I’ll handle it.”

He opens his mouth to argue when he notices Artem is frozen, blinking at the gunpowder in the open van. Also, there is a stash of lighters and cigarettes, and since the fucker enjoyed smoking, it’s probably another delivery.

“Artem,” Callum calls, while I get in the vehicle and study various buttons, wracking my mind that pops different memories in my head. I vaguely remember how George once sat me on his lap while we waited for my parents to finish work, and we played a game where I was the driver.

Think, Santiago, think! What was it that he said?

From the corner of my eye I notice Callum extending his hand to Artem who is shorter than us, probably younger too, so he can safely hop inside the van.

Only the dude has other plans as Artem runs his fingers over the products, almost caressing the things, mesmerized by the sight it seems, and Callum frowns.

“What the hell are you doing, Artem?” he hisses, while I play with the keys in the car, trying to start it yet failing. What else should I do while starting a car? There was something else right?

“Hop inside!” Artem ignores Callum’s words though and instead snatches the gunpowder and lighters, rushing right back inside the gate. He starts to dig his knife into a tree, as if wanting to cut off a branch.

“For fuck’s sake, what is he doing?” Callum’s question floats in the air as I twist the car key again and mutter, “Mierda,” when nothing happens, but then a bulb flashes in my mind and I press the pedal. Finally, the engine roars to life, and I exclaim, “Gracias, Dios!”

“You don’t even know how to drive this thing!” Callum shouts, and I send him a smirk.

“How hard can it be? The car is on, and I just need to drive fast enough to get us out of here, and that’s it.” I point to my legs with far more confidence than I feel. “Here is the speed pedal and stop pedal. No worries, I won’t get us killed,” I assure him, and his jaw almost drops to the floor.

“No, you’re right, you won’t. Because Artem will fucking kill us before you!” Callum finally loses his shit, grabs the gun, and hops down, running toward him while saying over his shoulder, “Be ready to go any minute. Don’t move your ass.”

I give him a thumbs-up. It’s fucking hilarious seeing him go all captain on our asses, since he always keeps his mouth shut. Spotting a baseball cap lying on the seat next to me, I put it on and catch my reflection in the rearview mirror.

My lips are chapped, several fresh scratches are on my cheeks, and my entire face is smeared with dirt, since the latest client pushed my face onto the floor covered in ashes.

Disgusting, disgusting reflection, but it doesn’t matter.

Only survival.

Turning my attention back to the guys, I see several guards racing out of the flaming house, firing bullets at them, but Artem continues to chop on the wood. What the fuck does he plan to do with it anyway? “We need to leave now!” Callum screams at him as he fires at the guards, but his aim is shit and he ends up not hitting any of them. “Artem!”

Finally, Artem picks up what he took from the van, and spreads the gun powder we found in a line and then lights up the branch, dropping it. Instantly, flames flash around us, spreading through the gun powder and grass, leading right to the house.

He managed to do all this in such a short time?

And they call me a psycho. “Bravo, amigo,” I whisper, satisfaction filling every pore at the idea that these men will be trapped in a hell of our creation.

The guards stop abruptly while Artem runs to the other side and repeats his actions, making it impossible for anyone to run away.

The fire reaches the guards now, and even though some of them manage to escape, I see two of them go up in flames, while Artem watches, completely still and mesmerized.

However, as enjoyable as this magnificent sight is, we have no time to spare anymore, so unfortunately, Artem’s nirvana has to end.

Their cries fill the garden, and then I whistle, motioning to Callum to hit Artem and bring him.

Callum grabs Artem’s arm, snapping him out of his trance, and drags him out of the gate as he orders, “We are leaving. Fucking come on!” All the way to the vehicle, Artem continues to watch the fire, barely moving, making Callum use all his strength judging by his heavy panting.

They get inside, and I press on the speed pedal, the car moving so fast the breeze from the open windows slaps us on the cheeks while Artem gazes back at his creation.

Lifting my face toward the harsh wind and fresh air filling my lungs, I inhale deeply before cheering. “This is freedom.”

I survived.

---