Revenge of Wounded (Book 2 of The Impossible trilogy)

Chapter 16: On the Road Again

Josh

Vrooooooom. We raced down the highway, was we left our pursuers in our pretend dust, since we were on pavement. Turning to look back in the car, I saw we had been seated exactly how we have been on the way to the Wounded base. How can we have this much bad luck?

Everyone was quiet while Malea checked Fiera for any injuries. To Malea and Shontelle, this was very frightening experience. You felt sympathy for them being in this situation, but it was only going to get worse from now on. Someone needs to let the whole group know how serious this is, wake them up. Unfortunately, being the oldest, it fell on my shoulder to do so.

"First off," I interrupt the silence, making everyone look up at me, "are you hurt anywhere, Fiera?"

Fiera shakes her head no. “Just a slight headache.” She says while looking down at her lap. 

“At least it’s not worse. I’ll look to see if mom has any Ibuprofen in here in a second.” I respond. 

“Now as for the rest of you.” I address the entire group.

I watch as they all stiffen, as they know what is coming. “Do you guys think this is a game?”

Before they can answer, I say, “Because it’s not. This is real life. You do not get to respawn. Half of you should at least know just how dangerous this is.”

“It’s not like anyone died.” Tony said.

This comment made me burst with the anger I had been holding in. “At least no one died?! Are you joking? Fiera was almost killed. We were all at gun point tied up and could have been killed, too! You and Shontelle’s ridiculous arguing is what got half of us caught in the first place.  You-“

“Josh, that’s enough.” Fiera interrupted me.

“I’m just saying that if it wasn’t for that man-“

 “Josh, that’s enough!”

“-we would all be dead right now.” I finished off in deadly calm voice. 

The car becomes quiet as Kyler drove. Fiera gave me a you-didn’t-have-to-go-that-far look, while Shontelle looked at her hands. Tony looked out the window, avoiding everyone’s gaze. Golden just stared at the back seat, while Malea gave me an expression of guilt that made me feel guilty. I did the same as Tony and looked away.

“By the way,” Golden said out of the blue, trying to change the situation, “Why is ‘that man’ doing here?”

This got everyone’s attention again as we looked to see the mysterious hero man, who was sitting right next to Fiera. This is why Golden was looking at the back seats. The guy was a middle-aged man with long, black hair in a ponytail, a goatee, a mustache, and green eyes. I forgot he was even here.

“Yo.” He greeted us. Yo? Really? What middle aged man says yo?

“I know this is going to be rude since you saved us, but I’m not known for being nice so… who the heck are you and who’s side are you on?” Golden asked the man.

We all looked at the man as he grinned. “Well, excuse me for not introducing myself. My name is Gabriel Lane, occupation, a spy.” He put his arms behind his head in a relaxing gesture. “Oh, and I’m on no one’s side, but I mean you no harm.”

I look at Golden who looks at me and we both reflect this thought. Is this guy for real? 

“You don’t believe me?” Gabriel asks.