Chocolate, A Truck, and A Railgun

Chapter 15

"Woah... that's deep." William winced after checking out the map. There was a line tracing a path on it, drawn by Feodora with Lily's magic pen. She tried looking for other possible routes. She shook her head. "No other way, unfortunately."

"Are you sure we will be alright?" Lily peeked through the hole connecting the cabin and the metal box.

"Hopefully." William shrugged.

"I applied the strongest shield I can," Feodora said.

The railgun was ready. Lily would be staying in the operator's seat while Feodora took the role of the navigator. The western route connected Haleo Berena with a city from the old principality further up north. A fortress city that most likely had fallen into demons' hands. There was a fork somewhere along the road that led south. They needed to reach this fork if they wanted to go home.

"Since the route is an open one, we should have no problems spotting enemies."

"The road shape is what I don't like." William used his finger to trace the pen's ink.

The route involved passing through the mountainside, meaning a lot of twists and turns. It would be a test of William's driving skills. Even the slightest mistake could mean death.

They stood right behind the now-empty western gate. The cobblestone road extended far beyond them.

"I'll do some final checks first." William got off the truck. He took a close look at the tires and various parts on the right side of the truck before resting his body on the metal box. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding. He thought he would be ready for that time, but now that he stood here, with only one possible way to escape, he felt things getting heavy.

Calm down, you'll get through this.

He took a breather, then another. After his third one, he continued his walk around the truck, checking every single thing. He returned to the driver-side door and yelled inside.

"Lily, try an aim test!"

Lily stepped away from the connector and took up position. The railgun turned a full circle to the left, then a full circle to the right. Its barrel then aimed upward before going back down. With all the systems ready, William got back to the driver's seat, buckling his seatbelt. He brought his left hand on the shifter, his foot ready on the brakes. He glued his eyes toward the road in front of him, his hands gripping the steering wheel.

Feodora took a look at the magic paper, which was now under her control.

"The rest of the army had regrouped."

"So that leaves us?"

"Yes."

"Everyone, ready?"

"I am ready."

"Ready when you are." Lily did another spin, as if to prove that she was ready.

"Alright. Here we go!" William planted his foot onto the gas and the truck jumped forward. The truck raced down the cobblestone road.

"Woah!"

"Everything's blurry!"

The two girls yelp, holding themselves to the truck. Feodora hugged her seatbelt tight. William couldn't see what Lily was doing, but he noticed the railgun turning violently.

"Lily, you're alright?" he asked.

"Sorry, That launch surprised me."

"I am fine. I am fine." Feodora repeated to herself. They exceeded eighty kilometers per hour, the truck's speed still climbing. William brought his left hand onto the wheel. They reached ninety kilometers per hour, but William continued pushing the gas.