Nowhere To Hide

The explosion behind them sent a violent shockwave through the underpass. The roar of flames echoed off the walls, shaking the very ground beneath them. Selene's pulse quickened as she turned to see the flickering light of the fire spreading in the distance but the SUVs were still coming. Caleb cursed under his breath, gripping the steering wheel tightly as he pushed the truck forward. The underpass was dark and narrow, with barely enough space for them to maneuver. The enemy vehicles were closing in with their headlights piercing through the thick dust and debris. Axel stirred beside her, his breathing labored. Selene clutched his hand with her fingers trembling. He was still alive, but for how much longer? He needed medical attention. Fast but with the enemy bearing down on them, escape was all that mattered right now. 'They're gaining on us!" Selene shouted, her voice filled with urgency. Caleb's jaw tightened. 'I see them." He spun the wheel sharply, sending the truck veering to the right. The tires skidded across the cracked pavement, narrowly missing a chunk of fallen concrete. The walls of the underpass felt like they were closing in and they were running out of road. Selene glanced back again, the lead SUV was moving aggressively, trying to ram them, while the others followed closely, forming a blockade that gave them no room to breathe. Caleb's knuckles turned white against the steering wheel. 'They're forcing us into a dead end." His voice was calm, but there was a tension beneath it that told Selene he wasn't sure how to get them out of this. Selene's chest tightened. 'Then we need to break through." She scanned the inside of the truck, her mind racing for ideas. 'Do we have any weapons? Anything at all?" Caleb shook his head. 'Truck's clean. Didn't exactly have time to stock up before saving your asses." Selene bit back a curse. 'We are outmatched, outgunned, and out of options." The SUV behind them accelerated, closing the distance. Selene saw the glint of a gun barrel poking out of the passenger window. 'Get down!" she shouted, instinctively pushing Axel down as the first gunshot rang out. The bullet shattered the side mirror, sending glass flying. Caleb barely flinched, keeping the truck steady, but his eyes flashed with frustration. 'That's it." His voice was low, dangerous and without warning, Caleb slammed on the brakes. The sudden stop sent Selene lurching forward, her seatbelt digging into her ribs. The SUV behind them didn't have time to react as the vehicle smashed into the back of the truck, the impact sending metal crunching against metal. Selene twisted in her seat just in time to see the driver of the SUV lose control. The car veered sideways, skidding across the road before slamming into a concrete pillar. The second SUV barely managed to swerve in time, avoiding a crash but losing momentum but Caleb didn't hesitate, he hit the gas again and the truck roared forward, leaving the wreckage behind, but the last SUV was still in pursuit. Selene's breath came in sharp bursts and she turned to Caleb. 'We can't keep this up, there has to be a way out of here." Caleb nodded. 'There's a service tunnel up ahead. If we can make it through, we might be able to lose them in the industrial sector." Selene looked ahead, trying to spot the tunnel. There, a barely visible opening, half-covered in rubble. It was small–too small. 'We won't fit." She turned to Caleb, dread settling in her stomach. 'Not with the truck, no." Caleb's voice was grim. Selene's stomach twisted. 'Then what's the plan?" Caleb pressed his foot down harder on the accelerator, pushing the truck faster. The last SUV was gaining again, its driver was determined to finish what the others had started. 'We're ditching the truck." Caleb's words sent a cold chill down Selene's spine. 'What?!" She turned to him in shock. 'Are you crazy? We'll be sitting ducks!" Caleb didn't look at her, his focus locked on the road. 'It's either that or they ram us off the road and finish the job themselves." Selene clenched her fists. He was right, the truck wouldn't make it through the tunnel, and staying inside meant certain death so they had no choice. 'Fine." She took a deep breath. 'But how do we make it without getting shot?" Caleb's eyes flickered toward her for a split second. 'I'll cover you. You just need to run." Selene felt her stomach drop. 'And what about you?" He smirked. 'I'll be right behind you, just trust me." The SUV behind them sped up, its front bumper nearly kissing the back of the truck and they were seconds away from getting rammed off the road. Caleb made his move as he jerked the wheel hard to the left, throwing the truck into a sharp turn that sent the back end fishtailing. The sudden movement caused the SUV to swerve, just enough for a moment of hesitation. 'Now!" Caleb shouted and Selene didn't think as she unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed Axel, pulling him toward the door. The truck was still moving, but they had no time to wait. She threw open the door and jumped, her body hit the ground hard, rolling against the pavement, the impact sending a sharp pain through her limbs but she didn't stop. She scrambled up, pulling Axel with her as best she could, she could see the tunnel right there and so close. Gunfire erupted behind her, she turned to see Caleb still behind the wheel, using the truck as a shield as he fired a handgun-where had he been hiding that?! -toward the SUV. He was buying them time. Selene clenched her jaw, gritted her teeth, and pulled Axel toward the tunnel entrance. The moment she reached it, she shoved him inside. The space was tight, the walls damp and covered in dust, but it was safe. 'Axel, stay low." She whispered. He was barely responsive, his breathing was weak. Selene turned back, her chest tightening. Where was Caleb? The truck's tires screeched one last time before a loud crash sent a shockwave through the air. Caleb had ditched the truck. Selene saw him running toward the tunnel, his movements fast, and calculated. The SUV had collided with the abandoned truck, sending up a cloud of smoke but just as Selene felt relief, another gunshot rang out and Caleb stumbled. Selene's breath caught in her throat as she watched him fall to the ground.