Inside My Head (Silent Moment Series: Book 6)

Chapter 31

The weight of his words hit me, the realization dawning that my escape was not just about my safety, but about the larger plan. Bellamy was right; finding Gabriel was critical. With one last conflicted look at Bellamy, I turned and sprinted away, the voices of our pursuers a haunting reminder of the peril we were in. The voices were closing in, their proximity a clear and present danger. I knew Bellamy was right. With a heavy nod, I slipped the keys into his hands, a silent acknowledgment of the plan. The reality of leaving him behind again weighed heavily on me, but there was no time to dwell on the past. Right now, finding Gabriel was paramount – he was my only hope. As I slipped away, my body felt strangely unfamiliar, a testament to the few days I had been out of control. Each movement felt more laborious than I remembered, a stark reminder of my current vulnerability. The odds were against me – five or six of Gabriel's people plus the Sanctum riders were hot on my trail. The situation seemed almost insurmountable.

I made a split-second decision. There was only one way to handle this. I ducked behind a tree, using the dense foliage as cover. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for the riders to draw nearer. This was a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, and I needed to play it smart. The sounds of their approach grew louder, the rustling of leaves and the crunch of underbrush signaling their proximity. I steadied my breathing, trying to quiet the adrenaline-fueled tremors in my body. Every sense was heightened, every nerve on edge. This was it – the moment to act. My survival, and potentially the fate of others, hinged on what I did next.

The moment I caught sight of the approaching figures, I threw caution to the wind and started shouting. "I'm here! I'm here!" My voice, loud and clear, cut through the stillness of the forest, an intentional beacon to draw their attention.

As the guards caught sight of me, their reactions were immediate. Each of them pulled out guns, a surprising sight that momentarily gave me pause. I couldn't help but wonder if those firearms were from our own arsenal. I hadn't expected to find guns in this place. Regardless of their origin, I was grateful for their presence. The sight of the weapons had a significant effect – all but one of Gabriel's men instinctively veered off to the sides, seeking cover. It was an interesting development, one that shifted the dynamics of the chase. Their hesitation, their decision to take cover, offered me a fleeting but critical advantage. I realized that despite the apparent danger, the presence of guns had inadvertently thinned the number of immediate pursuers. My mind raced, trying to capitalize on this unexpected turn of events. The lone remaining pursuer from Gabriel's group was now my primary concern. I needed to act quickly, to use this moment of distraction to my benefit. Every second counted, and my survival depended on making the right moves in these crucial moments.

Jade's voice pierced through the chaos, urgent and commanding from her position on the bike. "Don't shoot. You'll hit Joseph!" she screamed. Her warning was a stark reminder of the high stakes at play. "Down, get down!" she ordered.

Without a moment's hesitation, I complied. I dropped to the ground, my body hitting the forest floor with an unceremonious thud. In that vulnerable position, lying prone among the underbrush, my heart raced, and I held my breath, waiting for what came next. The air was suddenly filled with the deafening sound of gunfire. The bullets whizzed overhead, a deadly rain that I narrowly avoided. I could hear the thuds as the bullets found their targets, the men who had been pursuing me falling to the ground. It was a surreal moment, lying there amidst the chaos, the smell of gunpowder heavy in the air. The realization that I was still alive, still breathing, amidst this deadly skirmish was both a relief and a shock. Jade's timely intervention had turned the tables, giving me a chance to survive this encounter.

Jade's voice rang out with authority, her orders crisp and clear. "I've got him! You get the rest!" she commanded as she swiftly dismounted her bike. Her presence was a force to be reckoned with, her actions decisive and confident. She dropped to my side with a relieved sigh, her concern palpable. "Thank the Primes you're okay," she said, reaching out to help me. "Come on, let's get you home."