Anna peered over the back seat to the cargo hold. “Looks like they do have some stuff back here. A few large, black duffle bags. Can’t make out what’s in them, though.”
Cindy opened the passenger side door and got out. Anna reached across the back seat, past Shadow who blocked the door. She tugged on the handle, then pushed the door open. Shadow turned, then jumped to the ground. Anna slid across the seat, exiting the vehicle.
They slammed their doors closed, walked alongside the building, then vanished around the corner.
I grabbed the gas mask from the dash, pulled it over my head, then flipped the hood of the coat up and over the top of the mask. I stowed my piece in the waistband of my pants, then secured the keys in the front pocket of the coat.
I pushed the driver’s side door open, got out of the SUV, and closed it behind me. I walked toward the rear of the vehicle and popped the hatch. The door lifted, revealing the duffle bags stowed in the cargo hold. I unzipped the rucksacks and sifted through each, finding a goldmine of various weapons, ammo, and some additional masks.
Gunfire crackled behind me. I spun on the heels of my shoes, pulled the piece from my waistband, and brought it to bear.
I spotted no movement in the flurry of ash. Slowly, I made my way down to the far corner of the building, then stopped. I peeked around the corner, scanning the empty parking lot.
A car sat parked at the opposite end of the motel, facing an opening that went beyond the edge of the privacy fence. Its brake lights flashed red. It pulled away in a hurry, vanishing beyond the wooden pickets. I glanced down the walkway before the row of rooms, but spotted no threats lurking about.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. The eerie presence of someone standing close crawled over me. I listened, then turned my head to the side.
A pointed object pressed to my coat, poking my ribs. I caught a glimpse of black boots and pants standing a scant inch behind me. An arm reached past me, grabbing the piece from my hand.
“Where are the keys to the SUV?” the gruff voice asked, short and ill-tempered. “Give them up now and I won’t kill you.”
“Listen, pal. Just take it—”
He pressed harder to my side. The tip of what felt to be a blade poked my ribs. “All I want is the keys to the SUV. I don’t want to kill you, man, but I will.”
“All right. Be cool.” I stood still, avoiding any sudden movements. “I’m going to get them for you, but I need for you to relax.”
“Don’t mess with me,” he said, jerking my body closer to him. “You try anything funny, and I’ll gut you right here. I swear I will.”
“I’m not messing with you. I have to reach inside my coat pocket for them, though.” My hand lowered from the air. The blade twitched. I dug my hand into the front pocket of the coat, then pulled them out.
“Come on. Hurry it up.” He grew more agitated with each passing second. The blade wavered from my side.
I held the keys in the air—out of his reach. He removed the knife from my ribs and reached for them. I leaned to the side and rammed my elbow into his face.
A cry of pain fled his lips. He stumbled back, giving me space to work. I turned about and faced him.
He hunched over with his free hand pressed to his head. The thick, brown-suede jacket and hood concealed a portion of his face. I didn’t spot my piece in either of his hands.
I attacked, going on the offensive.
He stood up straight, then swung the blade at my midsection.
I grabbed his arm, then hammered his wrist with my fist. The blade dropped and clanged off the pavement. He threw an arching left cross. I blocked the attack with my forearm. I kneed him in the stomach, then threw him against the side of the building. His back slammed against the brick, and he fell forward to his knees.
A stabbing pain fired in my side, stealing my momentum. I cringed, but advanced just the same.
He dug his hand into the pocket of his coat. I punched him in the face again, knocking him to the ground. He pulled my piece from his coat pocket, fumbled the weapon in his hands, then dropped it to the pavement.
I grabbed the heater, then trained the barrel at his face. I towered over the beaten thug, staring at his scrunched nose and furrowed brow from within the hood.
He quivered, flat on his back. His hands came up, shielding his face. He looked away, then closed his eyes.
“Get up,” I said, training the pistol at the ground next to him. He didn’t budge. “Get up now, and get out of here.”
He looked up at me, shaking, and lowered his arm to the ground.
I took a step back, then nodded. “Go now before I change my mind.”
The man scrambled to his feet, then ran past the SUV. He kept going, vanishing from my sight. I grabbed the knife from the pavement and slipped it and the keys inside the pocket of my coat. I secured the pistol back in the waistband of my pants, then walked over to the cargo hold of the SUV.
I pulled both duffle bags out, closed the rear hatch, then made my way to the room. I scanned
