The Grid Runner

Chapter Seven

Everyone scattered around the room.

"Eclipse," Aukren said, looking over a collection of small screens. Beside him, Ryker remained where he was, instead of springing up like the others. "They're at the front door. Only one way they can come in. But I have another way out." He shuffled over to the side of the kitchen.

Zan spun towards Ryker, an anger rising in him. "You sent them here!"

Ryker appeared hurt, almost surprised, but Zan didn't believe it.

"We shouldn't have trusted him," Zan said, looking over Marcin and the others.

"We don't know he brought them here," Marcin said.

"How else did they find us so quickly?"

Aukren tapped into a control panel beside the kitchen. The back wall shuddered and began rising, revealing what appeared to be a garage, with a rectangular aircraft docked. It was an old, square-edged model with large front windows and a dusty white and grey paint job, a cleaner version of something Zan would find in a junkyard.

Ryker was on his feet, his staff in hand. Zan turned to warn him back, ready to fight if he needed to. There are no good men in the Mayor's office.

The front door exploded in a burst of fire and metal, throwing Wes and Edrund to the ground nearby. Smoke filled the room, the red lights still flashing, as Eclipse Guards rushed in.

"Go," Ryker called out to them. He darted forward and extended his staff.

The side doors of the craft slid open as Aukren hit buttons on the side. He looked back and shouted, "Come on, get in."

Zan helped Wes up, while Priya ran forward and helped Edrund. Marcin ushered Gosaline into the craft, ducking under gunfire. Ryker darted between the Guards, his staff a spinning blur, while they tried to aim and shoot in the close confines.

Aukren came to Zan and pushed him back towards the ship.

"Go, go," he cried, pushing Wes also.

Aukren turned and a hail of bullet tore through him.

"No!" Zan called out and tried to go to the old man, who slumped to the ground, but Wes held him back. Zan reached out, but it was clear that Aukren was dead. His glazed eyes stared at them, blood pouring from his chest wounds. In an instant he had gone from fierce and determined to.... Nothing. Blank.

Ryker dove over the sofa, his long hair flailing in his wake, and took down two Guards with an acrobatic flip before jerking away from a firing rifle.

Marcin called out to them from inside the ship. Wes jumped in. Zan looked back and saw Priya and Edrund trapped behind an overturned table, bullets hitting the wall and ground near them. Three more Guards entered the house, making it five against one. Zan ducked behind the end of the sofa and lifted one side, managing to flip it over and creating a low shield next to the table.

"Go on," Zan called to them, gesturing.

Edrund nodded and crouched low, making his way to the aircraft.

Zan reached out and took Priya's hand, and they ducked low, leaving the table and sofa. Gunfire burst around them, cracking into the wall and blowing up a lamp. They reached the craft and Priya stumbled. Zan turned and saw her on her knees, holding her stomach. He reached for her and saw her hand come away with blood.

"No.... NO!" Zan cried, holding her. A patch of blood spread out over her top, on the side of her stomach.

Priya sputtered and breathed harshly. She looked up at him, her eyes wide and frightened.