Solitude

Chapter 15 (Rescue)

               CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The latch opened without making any sound. The first unit slowly crept inside the house with their weapons drawn trying to make no sound. Following them was the second unit who scattered and made their way to seal ever exits possible. Unit four stayed outside and surrounded the house for safety measures and to make sure nobody would escape.

Alex held her gun with her two hands and followed Nick stealthily, aware of her surrounding and looking around to detect any movements. So far, so good, she along with her unit studied to floor plan of the house before they went on with the plan. She knew the have to hurry and if possible, complete the plan undetected but it wouldn’t be easy.

She carefully climbed up the stairs and softly threaded through the hallways listening for any sound to indicate that there’s someone there. She passed by the whole second floor but she found nothing so she slowly descended below. The first thing she noticed was a small door leading below – an underground room or something.

She knew that not one of her companion went there and it would be stupid to enter a room that was not on the floor plan but she could feel it in her gut. She somewhat knew that what she’s looking for was there.

The door gave a small squeak when she slowly opened it, she looked around for a few and went in, weapon drawn and aware of her surroundings. The room was lit in a very strange way, the shadows looked like they’re dancing and it was cold. The place was full of broken furniture like chairs, tables, and even a huge closet. It was when she passed by the closet that she heard a groan.

She went still, trained her gun forward and slowly walked to where the sound came from. A small space greeted her, littered with chairs – some upright, some are not. And at the middle of it all, she found her mother, tied into a chair bleeding everywhere. She forced herself to calm down for she could feel the pain and fear crept inside her, running in her veins. She bit the inside of her cheek and check around to see if anybody is there aside from them.

She took a hesitant step, then another, then another until she reached her mother. Alex put down her gun, though she knew it’s dangerous but it would make untying her mother faster. She worked fast but calmly, not letting panic overcame her for it would ruin everything.

“Alex,” her mom whispered to her when she’s done.

“Not now, mom. You have to get out of here. Can you walk? Does it hurt?” She said.

“No, it doesn’t hurt, I can walk, don’t worry about me, how about you?”

“I’ll be right behind you.”
Her mother climbed up slowly and she followed behind.

Thankfully they did it without making any sound. The one who saw the m was Nick. He hauled her mother up and helped her.

“Take her outside, Nick. Hurry up and don’t look back, I’ll be right behind you.” She said.

Nick didn’t ask any questions, he just lead her mother out because she’s their main concern. She was about to follow when a shot rang inside the house and the glass beside her exploded. She covered her head and fired back but she doubt if she hit whoever it was that shoot her. She hid behind the wall dividing the kitchen and the dining room.

As she was reloading, she noticed that she’s the only one left inside. Her heart sank at that realization but she held on to hope that she would come out there alive. She saw someone at the corner of her eyes and didn’t hesitate to fire a shot. She felt an intense satisfaction when she saw him fell on the ground.

Alex couldn’t remember how long had she been exchanging fires with them but with every bullet she released, a trickle of fear crept into her mind. Her fear increased when she found ou that she run out of bullets, she dropped her gun and started running without taking in mind that she could be killed. She ran away from them and desperately looked for an exit.
 
Alex knew how dangerous her life could be. She often dreamt of it, sometimes just think about it. But she never thought that it could be this dangerous – the kind of danger that will leave you breathless and panicking. And she knew she must not panic, she needed every inch of sanity and logic she have right now. Something fell behind her, she heard it, and so she ran or she would be found. She ran as fast as she could and tried to find someplace to hide. She could hear the various set of footsteps running closely behind her, she pushed herself along with the little strength left in her to run faster.

She could feel that her legs wanted to give out when she saw a door, a door that could be her redemption, her survival, her life. She forced herself to go faster, beg her legs to keep on running still just until she could reach that door. She reached it at last and pushed it open with all her might. She stumbled on her way out, hitting the pavement with a loud impact. She tried to stand up but her legs couldn’t take it anymore, her head felt like it’s going to explode and her mind’s swimming in a haze.

Shouts around her could be heard followed by the sound of guns firing and an explosion but Alex felt like she was floating. She knew that she was being carried away from where she was lying down but she could hardly care. She ignored the voice inside her head telling her to wake up and focus just as she ignored the voice shouting her name above the commotion. She let the darkness wallowed her and her thoughts, maybe she’d find some peace there.