Tom Brand Escapes

4-Escapes NJ

"Petras, I can't get into that right now. We'll have to wait till later to debate the error of my ways."

"I've warned you what can happen when you develop a conscious, Tom."

Brand shook his head and silently cursed.

"Again, Petras, no time. We're in an Uber," he said.

"You're in an Uber?" Petras asked.

"Yeah. We were kind of strapped for transport. The kid who's driving us has a bunch of fares lined up that he's not going to make. Someone is going to be looking for him soon."

"Ok," Petras said, "Where am I picking you up?"

"We're on Route One. Meet us at the Menlo Park Mall on the roof parking deck. I'm out."

"Open the back window," Brand commanded the driver.

"Why? What are you going to do?" he asked.

"Just do it," Brand said. The kid pushed the drivers side button and the back window opened.

Brand took the phone from its case and flung it and the phone through the window, shattering it on the median.

The driver swerved and then accelerated.

"That's fucked up, man" the kid said, "It's not right to kill someone's phone."

Brand cautioned him, "Don't speed. I don't want the police stopping you."

"I'm sorry I don't know how you're supposed to drive when you've been car-jacked and kidnapped," the kid said, rolling his eyes at Brand through the rear view mirror.

The first bullet hit the car as they turned onto Menlo Park Drive. As Leah screamed, Brand began climbing into the front seat. The second bullet hit the driver and he slumped over the wheel. Careering wildly across the road the car swiped the retaining wall of the overpass before Brand was able to regain control. He pushed the driver over to the passenger side, onto Leah's lap.

"Oh my god," Leah screamed, "he's dead."

Just then the young man groaned. His blood was rapidly soaking into her clothes.

"He needs help," she said cradling his head. 

"He'll bleed to death."

Brand ignored her. The third bullet blew out the window next to Leah's head and sent glass flying all around. He floored the gas, tires squealing and burning rubber as he made a 180 turn at the bottom of the ramp. Under the overpass, he made a sharp right onto the one-way, pulled onto the grass and shut off the car. Brand watched the rearview as the pursuing car flew past them, back out onto the highway. He saw them hit the brakes but it was too late. The traffic coming up on them prevented them from backing up. They'd have to go to the next turn. 

He had bought them a few minutes.