Chapter Seven
960 Words
The world seemed to turn around for Alison as she hit the ground, feeling a sharp pain burning through her side. The barn snapped and creaked, it was on the verge of collapse.
“Alison!” Nicholas’s voice was loud and clear even through the noise.
She blinked, her vision blurred, and saw him moving towards her.
“I’m here,” she croaked, the sound of the turret echoed again. Her voice was drowned out by the sound.
Nicholas reached to her side, inspecting her body immediately for any injuries. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” she lied, wincing as she tried to move.
He didn’t believe her, but there was no time to argue. Luke appeared behind him, his gun smoking from killing the men at the barn wall.
“We need to move!” Luke yelled.
Nicholas picked Alison into his arms without hesitation. She wanted to argue, but the pain she was feeling in her ribs was so excruciating.
“Cover us!” Nicholas shouted at Luke as he ran toward the tree line.
Some bullets flew through the air, some were aimed close but Luke returned the fire back, his aim precise, which gave them enough time to reach the cover of the forest.
Nicholas dropped Alison behind a large tree. His chest heaved as he scanned the area, his gun at the ready. Luke caught up a moment later, his face slick with sweat.
“Few to go” Luke panted. “But that turret’s going to be a problem.”
Nicholas nodded, his mind racing. “We need to split up. Draw their fire away from her.”
Luke glanced at Alison. “And leave her here? That’s a death sentence.”
“She’ll be safer here if we take the fight to them,” Nicholas countered, his tone sharp.
Alison’s eyes darted between the two men. “I’m not staying here alone.”
“Listen to me. You need to trust me right now. Luke and I will handle this. Stay hidden, and don’t move until I come back for you.”
She hesitated, fear gripping her. “What if you don’t come back?”
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, she saw something raw flicker in his eyes. “I will,” he said firmly.
Before she could argue, Luke grabbed Nicholas’s arm. “We’re out of time.”
Nicholas nodded, his gaze lingering on Alison for a moment longer. “Stay quiet,” he whispered.
Then he was gone, disappearing into the trees with Luke.
Alison pressed her back against the tree, her heart hammering in her chest. The sounds of gunfire erupted again, echoing through the forest. She clenched her fists, fighting the urge to run after Nicholas.
Through the gaps in the trees, she could see flashes of movement. Nicholas moved like a ghost, silent and deadly, taking down one of the men with a single, precise shot.
Luke wasn’t far behind, his movement more aggressive this time. He drew the turret’s fire, leading the gunner away from Nicholas’s position.
Derek from earlier barked orders, his voice growing angrier with each loss. “Spread out! Find them!”
Nicholas took advantage of the chaos, moving around and surprising two more men. The sound of his gunshot rang out, and they dropped before they could do anything.
“Two left,” Luke shouted, hiding behind a fallen tree.
Nicholas saw Derek and the turret operator gathering near the SUVs. He signaled to Luke, who nodded to show he understood.
“I’ll handle the turret,” Luke said quietly, already on the move.
Nicholas didn’t hesitate. He aimed at Derek, but he seemed to sense the threat. He jumped behind the SUV and started shooting back.
The turret started firing again, forcing Nicholas to pull back. Luke moved around the side of the vehicle, quick and precise. He fired one shot, hitting the gunner right in the chest.
Nicholas saw his chance and rushed at Derek. They crashed into each other, fists flying, guns forgotten.
Derek was strong, his punches hitting hard. But Nicholas fought with a calm, focused anger, years of training guiding his every move.
He finally managed to hold Derek down on the ground, pressing his gun against his head.
Derek spat out blood, smiling strangely. “You think this is over? Adrian won’t stop. He’ll destroy everything to find you.”
Nicholas’s finger stayed near the trigger. For a moment, Alison thought he might shoot.
But then he lowered the gun, his face serious. “Not today.”
He hit the man on the head, knocking him out.
The forest went quiet, the air heavy with the scent of gunpowder.
Nicholas and Luke met up near the SUVs, their expressions serious.
“We have to go,” Luke said, nudging one of the dead men to make sure he wasn’t faking. “Backup will be here soon.”
Nicholas agreed his mind already on Alison. “I’ll get her.”
He found her right where he’d left her, closely behind the tree. He felt a wave of relief when she looked at him, her eyes wide but safe.
“Is it over?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“For now,” he replied, helping her to her feet.
She leaned on him as they made their way back to the vehicles. Luke had already started one of the SUVs, the engine rumbling to life.
“Get in,” Luke called, motioning to the back seat.
As the car sped away from the mess, Alison rested her head against the window, totally exhausted.
Nicholas glanced back at her, his expression unreadable. But deep down, he knew the fight was far from being over.
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