A Shot In The Dark

Selene's heart stopped the moment Caleb fell. The sharp crack of the gunshot echoed through the tunnel, bouncing off the damp walls like a cruel reminder that they weren't safe. She scrambled forward, her breath coming in sharp gasps as she reached the entrance where Caleb had collapsed. The dim lighting barely allowed her to see, but when she got closer, the dark stain spreading across his shoulder told her all she needed to know. Caleb groaned, his fingers gripping the cold concrete beneath him. His face was twisted in pain, but he was still conscious and alive. 'Caleb!" Selene dropped beside him, her hands hovering over the wound, blood was seeping through his jacket, and every second counted but the danger wasn't over yet. The wreckage of the truck was still burning behind them, casting flickering shadows along the walls of the tunnel. The SUV that had been tailing them was partially crushed against it, its front end smoking but that didn't mean the people inside were dead. Selene's eyes darted toward the wreckage and she could hear movement. 'We need to move." Selene's voice was urgent, but Caleb didn't immediately respond. His face was tight with pain, and his breathing labored. He let out a low chuckle. 'Yeah? You think?" Selene didn't have time for sarcasm, she hooked her arms under Caleb's, ignoring the sticky warmth of his blood as she pulled him upright. He was heavier than he looked. 'Come on. We can't stay here." She adjusted his weight, dragging him toward the tunnel where Axel was barely holding himself together. Caleb winced but nodded. 'No argument here." They had barely made it a few steps when a loud metallic creak came from behind them and Selene's stomach twisted. She turned just in time to see a figure emerging from the wreckage. The man moved with slow, deliberate steps, his silhouette dark against the flames and his gun hung loosely at his side, but Selene knew that wouldn't last long as he was here to finish the job. Caleb groaned beside her, struggling to stay upright. Axel was still weak, unable to defend himself. She was the only one left standing. Selene clenched her jaw, she wasn't going down without a fight. She reached for her knife; the only weapon she had left. Her fingers tightened around the handle as she turned to face the approaching enemy. The man stepped fully into the dim light, revealing a face she recognized all too well. Lucian. Selene's pulse spiked. Of course, it was him, it was always him. Lucian's lips curled into a slow, mocking smile. 'I told you, Selene, you can't run forever." Selene's grip on the knife tightened. She glanced back at Axel, who was too weak to fight, and Caleb, whose wound was slowing him down. She was alone. Lucian took another step forward, the gun in his hand rising slightly. 'Let's not make this any harder than it needs to be." Selene's breathing was shallow, her muscles coiled tight. She had to think fast. She couldn't fight him directly. He was armed, and she had nothing but a knife but she wasn't out of options. She scanned the tunnel, searching for anything she could use to her advantage but the walls were unstable. Cracks ran along the concrete like veins, weakened by the explosion outside. If she could bring them down, even partially, it might buy them enough time to escape. Lucian must have noticed the shift in her eyes because his smile widened. 'Thinking of something clever, Selene? You always do but this time, it won't work." Selene didn't respond then she acted with all the strength she had left, she lunged forward, aiming the knife directly at Lucian's gun hand. Lucian was faster than she expected. He twisted at the last second, dodging her attack but Selene had never intended to hit him. Her true target was the support beam behind him. The blade sank into the weak concrete, and a deep, shuddering crack splintered through the tunnel wall. Lucian's smirk vanished as he realized what was happening. The entire tunnel shook violently and the chunks of debris rained down, filling the space with dust and rubble. Selene didn't wait to see if it would hold him back. She spun around, grabbing Caleb with one arm and pulling Axel up with the other. 'Run!" she shouted, her voice barely audible over the sound of the tunnel collapsing. Axel stumbled forward, his breath ragged, but he moved, and Caleb, despite his wound, forced his legs to cooperate as they had no choice. The tunnel behind them continued to cave in, thick clouds of dust swallowing everything. Selene didn't dare look back, she didn't know if Lucian had been caught in the collapse or if he had made it through, so she just ran. The tunnel stretched on ahead of them, but she could see a faint glow of light in the distance, what looked like an exit and their chance at survival. Her lungs burned, and her muscles screamed in protest, but she pushed forward. They were almost there but then another gunfire came in louder. The sharp crack of bullets echoed through the tunnel, sending shards of concrete flying past them and Selene's heart clenched. More enemies were waiting for them ahead which meant the trap wasn't over.