The Last Forester

She's the Key Part 19

(Hugh)

Everyone took cover, and Arabella crawled to the window. 

"It's Chike!  He's here for you, Tallica!" Arabella walked to her cabinets, half hunched over and pulled out several large guns, tossing one to Zaire.  She crawled over to us, and looked me dead in the eye, handing me a key.  "You have to protect her.  You must be willing to do anything to keep Tallica out of Chike BlackWood's hands.  If he captures her, he will achieve everything he has planned.  His plan to be able to control werewolves...that doesn't even scratch the surface of his plans with her.  She's the key, Hugh.  She's the key," Arabella pointed at Tallica.  

She grabbed my shirt and yanked me close.  "You have to protect her.  You have to protect her."

I griped Arabella's shoulders, "Chike won't get to her with me around.  I will protect her." 

"There is an underground tunnel that leads to the highway take Milo and Benny and get them out of here," Arabella looked at Zaire, who nodded.  "Zaire will stay with me and hold them off.  The key is for a house in L.A.  It's close to Milo's home, but back towards the small woods near him.  Go there and stay until you get word otherwise."

I started to say something, but Arabella shushed me.

"I judged you completely wrong Hugh and I'm sorry.  Now, get out of here!" She shoved me towards the back room.  

I picked up Tallica and ran to the back.  The minute I set Tallica down she tried to run.  I grabbed her arms, and ordered, "Benny, Milo find the tunnel entrance." 

"Let me go Hugh, I'm not leaving my sister behind," Tallica yanked on her arms.

"You have to Tallica," I caught her fist.  

"I have to help her," she yelled at me.

I grabbed her biceps and leaned down to her height.  "She is doing this for you, dang it!  Don't you see, Chike has plans and big plans for you!"

She stared at me tears in her eyes.  

"We found it!  Lets go!" Milo shouted as he followed Benny down the stairs.

"Now, either go down the stairs or have me carry you," I handed her a flashlight I grabbed from the drawer closest to me.  She glared at me, but snatched the flashlight and followed Milo.  I followed her down the steps and shut the trap door.

With Benny leading, we ran threw the corridors.  

"I see light!" Benny yelled back his accent was strong.  He pushed on the heavy oak door.  

"Move," I demanded, and they backed away.  I rammed my shoulder into the door, and shoved.  It gave easily.

"Must be nice to have werewolf strength," Benny muttered as he ran past.  It was lead directly to the highway.  We ran out and onto the side of the busy interstate.   

"What now?" Milo looked at Tallica.

"We go to the house like Arabella said," she began to jog down the side of road.

"Man, we have to run?" groaned Benny as he followed.  

A loud engine caught my attention and I looked behind us.  It roared up the fast lane, gaining quickly.  

"Umm, Tallica?" I pointed to the car, pushing her behind me.  It went off the side and slammed to a stop.  "Tell me you know who that is?"

"And if I say no?" she peeked past my arm.

"Then, we are so screwed," I rolled my eyes at our luck.  

The window slowly rolled down, and my eyes widened.