𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞| ᴀ ʟᴇᴏɴ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ

9. Pursuit

The drive towards home feels longer than the drive we took to get to Grimhurst in the first place. We didn't take any rest stops since we came prepared, or at least as prepared as we thought we'd need to be. This time Leon and I decide to stop a few hours after leaving that godforsaken town, both of us running on pure fumes. Leon parks the car as I get out, eyes looking at everyone with suspicion. Any one of these people could be working for Theodore Jackson and FutureFront, so I have to be careful. Leon comes to my side, wrapping an arm around my middle as we head into the gas station. 

"You grab some food and drink, I want to clean up a little in the bathroom." I softly say to him, stopping to peck his cheek. Leon gives me an uneasy look, hesitant to release his hold on me, but as I peel him away he finally relents, letting go of me as I walk to the small bathroom near the back. I use the toilet then begin to clean up, washing my face in the sink and dabbing my skin with some paper towels, I look like I've been through a warzone, so I fix my hair, running my fingers through it, then I swish my mouth out to, wishing I had some mints or toothpaste. I swear I'll never take the small luxuries for granted again. My nerves are on edge as I step out of the bathroom, mind jumping to worst case scenarios, but then I see Leon leaning against the wall near the front door waiting for me. I let out a sigh of relief then rush to him, wrapping my arms around him.

"Everything okay?" He softly murmurs into my hair as I squeeze him. I nod, then take the bag from him as we briskly walk back to the car. Once back in the safety of it, we dish out the glamorous breakfast of sandwiches, chips and some water, then eat in silence. Leon swallows his in a matter of mouthfuls, so I let him polish off my bag of chips too. When we've eaten and begin to feel a little better Leon starts the car, switching on the radio for the first time. I raise my brows, lips lifting. 

"Beginning to feel like a road trip." I muse as he huffs a laugh, but it soon disappears when he sees some black cars pull into the gas station; all with the FutureFront logo on. I swallow nervously, we've barely escaped them once, I don't think we can do it again. I reach for the gun under my seat but Leon places a hand over my wrist, subtly shaking his head. 

"Let's try and sneak out first, then once we're on some safer roads we can do what we have to. We can't afford miss or cause a commotion." 

His logic soothes me, so I hold my breath as Leon manoeuvres the car out of the gas station car park, using the side exit to avoid being blatantly obvious. At first it seems like it's worked, until we near the closest city, and the cars appear from a side street. "Uh oh." I mumble, adrenaline beginning to make its way through my veins at the inevitable fact that we're going to have to either fight or outrun them. The black cars begin to catch up to us, and I know we can't run anymore. 

"Are you ready?" Leon asks, sounding on edge as he grips the wheel. I nod, knowing we've got no choice. Leon speeds up as we enter the city, the car slicing through rush hour traffic as we try to escape. I grip the handle above the door as Leon turns once. Twice. Three times. I'm jolted around, hoping that FutureFront won't have the skills to keep up with us, but we're not that lucky. All of a sudden gunfire erupts behind us, the black cars continue their pursuit to silence us, the bullets slam against the metal of our car, narrowly missing us. "A little help?" Leon urges. 

I don't hesitate to grab my gun now, my fingers wrapping around the cool metal. Leon presses a button and my window rolls down, giving me an opportunity to shoot. I brace myself against the sudden rushing wind, the buildings and other cars going past in a blur as I grip and try to lean out, but then the car lurches as Leon avoids some delivery truck. I make a noise of frustration, having to get into position again as he mutters an apology. I have a clear shot at our pursuers now, so I take aim and fire at the closest car. The bullet finds its mark in the front tire of the first car, there's a screech of tires as it swerves off course, but there's no time to celebrate, there's still more. The tension in the air is thick with anticipation and a rush of being in a kill or be killed situation, I don't bother aiming now as desperation fills me, I unleash a series of shots that are deafening, keeping the enemies at bay as they slow down to avoid being hit. 

"We can't keep this up for long, you've already used most of the clip!" Leon shouts as he remains focused on driving, his focus unwavering as he weaves between cars and speeds through red lights. He's right, I'm almost out. I curse loudly, lips pinching together as I rapidly avoid being shot, ducking down as I give as much as I get. I steal a glance forwards, seeing a break in the chaos. 

"TAKE THAT STREET!" I yell, pointing at a narrow alleyway. Leon throws me a look that says I'm crazy, but with a deep breath he follows my idea anyway, trusting me one hundred percent. Speeding up Leon drifts the car left, then speeds up as we race down the narrow street, the black cars behind us slowing down dramatically since they don't have the determination we do. We emerge on another street, and Leon doesn't slow down until he's sure we've lost them. I turn to Leon when he begins to merge with the traffic, attempting to blend in with the public. "We did it." I breathe out, then I begin laughing. 

Leon laughs too, nodding as if we've been to the fun fair and not some high speed car chase. "Yeah," He grins, eyes shining with wonder and maybe a little shock, "we make a fucking fantastic team." He reaches out, taking my hand in his own as he squeezes. 

Daylight is once again fading fast, and now that we're closer to freedom, we're going to need a plan. Leon parks the car a few blocks away from a nondescript hotel I spotted, then hand in hand we walk to it. We probably look insane, but we order a room anyway, using fake alias', then we rush to the room, eager to eat once again and have a shower. As soon as we're in the small room, I flop onto the bed, exhausted. Leon already begins stripping off, heading to the shower as I lie on my back, staring at the ceiling. "How are we going to do this? I mean do we expose Theodore and his company? And if we do, are we just going to send the evidence to the media?" I ask as I hear the shower begin to run. 

"I honestly haven't had a chance to think that far. We could, but it's risky, and unprofessional."

I snort, "I think profession goes out of the window when you're boss tries to kill you."

Leon's quiet for a bit, and I know he's finding this harder than he lets on. Eventually he comes out the bathroom followed by a cloud of steam, a towel wrapped low on his hips. Usually I'd beckon him over and have my way with him, but right now none of us have the energy for it. "I've been thinking," He mumbles, running his fingers through the wet strands of his hair, "I don't feel like this is a whole-government thing. I just...I trust the president, more than I should." I arch a brow, standing as I walk to Leon and cup his cheeks in my hands, "He wouldn't go through all the trouble of making sure I was blackmailed and trained into becoming an agent only to kill me six years later. It feels like a waste." He fake laughs, shaking his head. I nod sympathetically, my thumbs brushing the stubble forming on his jaw. 

"So what do you suggest?" I ask.

"We should give the evidence out to the right people, we could send it to Hunnigan and somebody else I know, and in the meantime as they're sharing it out and revealing the truth we should go to the main source. We should confront Theodore." 

I pull away, heading to the bathroom as Leon leans against the doorframe watching me. "Alright, but there's one issue. We don't know where the asshole is?"

Leon nods, chewing on his lip. "We know FutureFront is following us, so here me out here, what if we let them take me, they'll march me right to him as you follow-"

"No way." I shake my head, but I'm not exactly bursting with ideas. "It's too dangerous. They'll kill you!"

"Not if they only get one of us. They'll use us against each other, it'll buy time as you find backup."

I hate the idea, but deep down I know it's the only way, and we're out of time. I strip off, silently fuming as I have the quickest shower in my life then step out. Leon's still there, watching and trying to assess me. I sigh, then decide to ignore how tired I am as I wrap my arms around Leon's neck, kissing him until we're on the bed and forgetting about everything. 

In the morning, my mind is made up. I wake Leon, already dressed and ready to close this case. "I'm getting taken today. I need you to follow and send out all the evidence from my phone. Don't argue with me, you're faster and a better agent than me, so it just makes sense."

We spend minutes arguing, kissing, then finally he reluctantly agrees. With a deep breath and a heavy heart I walk out of the hotel carrying nothing but the clothes on my back. I walk through the city, pretending to fit in, until an hour later a car with FutureFront painted on pulls up beside me. I weakly fight off the men who try and take me, but in the end I'm knocked out cold with a small smile on my face. Step one complete. I've just got to hope Leon's up to par with his search and rescue.