Halo | 18+

chapter fifty four

- AURELIA JONES -

With the engine running, we waited on a signal.

But the signal never came.

The fire spread over the trees and continued down the centre line, following the burning city of broken ruble and overgrown grass. It was like driving through hell in slow motion.

Angel and Ollie rode in one car, whilst Lyza and I drove in the other.

We took everything we could fit, leaving a few things behind. Praying that we could return to the house safe and sound. I doubted it though, a gut feeling.

A crackle on the walkie came through before Ollie's voice sounded, "Be careful where you drive, if any of our trucks get hit, we'll be blown to pieces. It's full of explosives and ammunition." He announced.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened, "Thanks for the reminder."

Lyza sat in the back seat with her seatbelt on, staring out the window, "Where are we going?" She asked, "To find Rez and Shoju." I smiled, "Are they okay?"

"They're fine." I assured her, more myself then anything else. "Are we going back home? What about chicken?"

"Chicken will be okay too." I avoided her first question, looking out for any signs of human beings.

We came up empty handed after scouring the town twice. My hope was deflating, I tried to signal for them, but nothing.

Following behind Angel's car, I pressed on the brakes when they suddenly stopped, "What's going on?" I said into the walkie.

I waited for a reply, "Angel?" I said again, "Ollie, are you guys there?"

It wasn't until the pair were ripped from the cars that I realised what was going on. I locked the doors, frantically putting the car into reverse as I tried to get out of there, "Lyza, get down on the ground." I said.

"What? Why?"

"Just do as I say!" I screamed, driving backward as masked men with guns pointed them straight at us. Ollie and Angel were thrashing in their arms, trying to escape. There's so many of them, we're outnumbered.

I ducked my head, yelling in fright as a bullet rang through the air, obliterating the windshield as glass flew everywhere. Cold air whooshed in, Lyza's terrified screams filling the air.

I kept driving, trying to swing the nose of the car around.

I was too late.

The tires had been shot, we were stuck. Reaching for Lyza, I clung onto her like a koala to a tree, protecting her head from anything that might happen.

Lots of shouting ensued, "Leave us alone!" I screamed, "What do you want from us?"

Tears streamed down my face, so much is going on, too much is happening. What the hell is going on?

The masked men walked over the car, almost ripping the door from the hinges as he yanked us outside. I fell to the ground with a thud, breaking Lyza's fall as I held on to her.

Glass and stones ripped my back, shredding my skin but I didn't care, "Please- what do you want?" I gasped, begging for this to stop.

They didn't say anything.

When they tried to take Lyza, I screamed down hell, "Leave her alone! NO!" I screamed, "NO! Don't take her, please!"

"AURELIA!" Her terrified pleads broke me in half, "NO! Please!" I begged, trying to reach for her.