Crossfire ~ {Book 2 in the Emerald of Annihilation Trilogy} #Wattys2017

Chapter 23 ~ Not Today

Lily's POV.

Crash! 

Screech!

Bang!

My heart raced as Mark whipped the car around another corner. Quinton cursed in the back seat. "Laura! be more accurate will you?!" He barked, keeping the money from flying out the window. I pulled myself back into the car, reloading the Beretta 92fs I had been using. 

I would have preferred a Glock 17 but this would have to do. "Matthew drive faster!" I shouted to Mark, leaning out the window once again. The police squad were catching up. These guys knew how to drive!

I had been purposely aiming at the wheels, not wanting to hurt the officers. Mark shot through a red light and slipped through two sixteen wheelers, nearly missing the opening. There was screeching, screaming, and a loud crash.

I winced. Was it that bad? I looked ahead as Mark drove. His eyes hard and focused. His gaze flickered to me for a couple seconds. The silent communication was heard clearly in my head.

How long can we keep this up?

I set my jaw and huffed a couple dangling strands of hair from my face. It had been 5 weeks. Too long. What had happened to the others? Dylan, Amber and Henry? Were they alive? Had Houston killed them? Had he finished the serum? Had he injected it into her friends? 

"Hunts!"

Lily was knocked out of her thoughts. "Y-Yeah, Quinton?" She turned her head back to the back seat. "Look alive! We have a trailer!" I raised my gaze from Quin, to the window, where I saw the last two cars gaining on us faster. 

My fingers gripped the gun as I glared at my reflection in the silver metal. My mom and Uncle were under the influence of a brainwashing drug. They would most likely kill us if given the reason or order. 

My friends were back at the base while a maniac phycho created a super soldier serum that was permanent. Anger coursed through me. "Hunts! Act. Now!" I growled and swung out of the window, pulling the trigger over and over. 

I all happened so fast. The officer driving lurched in his seat as the bullet lodged in his chest, making the car swerve. His partner ducked her head to avoid being shot. The car spun. A Tire exploded. The cop car behind them crashed into them, making them both land in a heap in the ditch. 

My eyes widened as I realised what I had done. "That's what I'm talking about!" Quinton clapped my shoulder from the back. "Awesome job, Laura!" Mark's eyes were kept on the road. We sped out of the street onto the highway. 

I leaned back and attempted to remain calm. But it didn't work. I knew what I was to expect when I returned to our temporary hideout. 

"What the hell was that, Lily?!

I winced at Mark's tone. We were alone at the fireplace in the forest where we were hiding out. Jay had gone to bed, and Quinton was on lookout duty. I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm sorry..." I mumbled softly, grabbing a couple logs from behind me. 

"I'm serious. That wasn't you. You shot that officer. You caused a car crash. Who knows who else got hurt!" His voice was low so no one would hear but it was harsh. I tossed the kindle into the raging fire.

The small scar on Mark's cheek made him look menacing to anyone who saw him. But to me, it was cute. He had gotten it when he was younger, fighting with his cousin, Chad for the XBox controller. 

"Lily!" I shook my head and turned my eyes to the fire. "I didn't want to ruin our cover..." I defended myself. "If I hadn't Quinton would have seen it as suspicious. He's seen my aim." Mark shook his head. 

"You could have aimed for the tire. What made you shoot the officer in the chest blank point? You were upset, Lily. I saw it in your eyes." Mark's gaze on me softened. 

Mark's POV. 

Something was wrong. Her eyes glowed in the firelight. I was slightly disturbed to realise that I could tell if the fire in her eyes were real or just the reflection of the campfire. Lily had been through a lot. I knew I had to be the one there for her. 

"Go to bed." A rough but familiar voice ordered. Lily and I looked up to see Jackson Rodgers walking up, his short brown hair making him younger than her actually was. Lily looked up at him and her eyes showed pain, sadness and determination. 

I made a move to stand, but Lily's hand fell onto my thigh, forcing me to stay seated. "What if we don't want to?" My eyes darted to her, panicking. "L-Laura.....w-we shouldn't...-" She growled in response, shutting me up.

Jack's gaze narrowed and I could tell she perked his attention. She was challenging him. Lily stood. I was about to force myself between them, but Lily's glare at him was enough for me to back out of it. She could handle it herself. 

"I said.....go to bed. we have another big tomorrow." Jack was holding back his fists I could tell. Lily was provoking him. I looked at the fire and tried not to interfere while trying to make sense of her new 'plan'. 

I glanced out of the side of my eye as Lily smirked. "I'm not going to bed." She definitely stated. Jack glared at her. He may have been brainwashed, but he still had his soldier's aura of needing respect and leadership. 

"Watch it kid.....don't start things you'll end up regretting..." He warned, his hand gripping his Remington 700 rifle so tight, his knuckles turned white. I swallowed. Alex was nowhere to be seen... 

If Lily started a fight.....her mother could come out of nowhere and it would be over! Lily saw what he warned and took a deep breath. "Too late for that..." She murmured. I held my breath as she turned and sat back next to me. 

Jack's hand relaxed a bit and he turning to leave, mumbling under his breath. I suddenly felt a cold metal in my hand. I look over to see Lily placing her gun in my hand. "You know where the truck is," Her voice was low and kind of scary. Much authority boomed in it. 

I looked her in the eye. "Wh-what?" Her eyes didn't let mine go. "Get Jay and get out of here. Don't. Look. Back." She demanded. I was speechless. trying to contemplate what she was saying. 

"If you need to get rid of Quinton...do it. He's on the inside with Houston. He knows about us." I opened my mouth to say something, but she shook her head. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Just get the both of you out of here fast. Get as far away from Viper as you can. I'm going after Houston when I'm done here."

I grabbed her wrist. "What if it doesn't work huh? What if you get hurt....o-or worse?! What if Jay and I don't get away! What if Dylan and the others are already dea-" "No!" Her voice interrupted me. "I'm not losing anyone. Just get you and Jay far and safe." 

 With that she grabbed a log of the chopped pieces of wood and turned, racing at Jack, bringing the wood over the back of his head with great force. He stumbled, dropping his rifle and collapsing to the ground. 

Lily turned to me. "GO!" I stood and stumbled back, seeing Alex run up with a murderous glare at her daughter. I gripped Lily's gun and ran to the tent where Jay was asleep. I shook him vigurously. 

"M-Mark? He opened his eyes, confused and innocent. How did we ever let such a child in on this death mission?! "We have to go, Jay....now!" I pulled him up and together we ran to where the truck was parked. 

I pulled at the door handle only to find it was locked. "Going somewhere?" A voice purred behind us....

CLIFFHANGER!!!! OH HOW I LOVE THEM!!! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please like and comment and share with those who would enjoy this book! :)