𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐄 | gabriel ✓

10. cars and sacrifices

"There are no keys" Alex groaned as he leaned into the front seat of the car, looking around and digging into all the cubbies.

"I can handle that" The soft voice spoke up from the back. They all turned to the small girl who dropped her backpack and had already begun pushing her way into the car and leaning under the steering wheel. They watched with awe as Josie wiggled a panel out and slid her fingers into the wiring underneath.

"Can you get me that pocket knife from my bag?" Josie reached her hand out without even glancing away from her work. The boys all glanced at each other in confusion, but Zhenzhen reached calmly into Josie's bag and pulled out the swiss army knife that she had stolen from her cabinmates mattress when they were still at camp. As soon as the knife made it into Josie's grip she returned to work. A few stripped wires later and the engine roared to life.

"Way to go, Giggles, I knew you weren't completely useless" Dariush laughed as he smacked the girl on the back.

Josie ducked her head in shame and gave a small nod. She hadn't thought she'd been useless. She didn't say much, she knew that her fear of judgment and inability to stand up for herself and others meant she only spoke in certain scenarios. Yet, she hadn't thought she'd been useless. She had brought food and found the mall, but the more she thought the more she realized that maybe they could have done all that without her as well.

"Hey, that was wicked, how'd you know how to do that?" Gabriel placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her attention away from her intrusive thoughts and to him.

"Thanks, uh, my dad taught me, he owns a mechanic shop, taught me everything I know" She smiled lightly at the tall boy, blushing as he returned the smile with a beaming grin, "We, uh, we should get into the car before Dariush forgets he has to share with two more people"

"I think he already did" Gabriel laughed, nodding his head towards the outspoken boy who seemed to be spreading out in the backseat. Josie giggled and turned to begin climbing into the car but one last statement from Gabriel caused her to hesitate, "And Josie... I don't think you're useless."

Her ears burned and a pleased smile spread across her face as she took her seat. She slid in next to Dariush and Gabriel sat on her other side. Zhenzhen sat shotgun and Alex put himself behind the wheel with an energetic grin. However, as he looked down at the shifter his smile fell.

"Oh... I can't drive stick" He mumbled, turning to look at the others.

"Move over" A smirk crept over Zhenzhen's face as she and Alex swapped spots. The moment she was in the driver's seat, she cranked up the radio and they were off.

Throwing a few donuts in the parking lot, they sped down the roads with tires squealing. Josie laughed as she bopped her head up and down, 'Straight Out of Compton' blared out of the cars stereo system. Gabriel had slung an arm around the back of her seat and was nodding his head along to the music as well. Dariush was even in a good mood as a grin spread across his face, handbanging with the others.

Bang!

The once joy-filled vehicle was now ridden with panic as the alien slammed down onto the hood, growling at them.

Josie screamed and ducked down in terror, hugging onto Gabriel's arm when he put it across her chest protectively.

Zhenzhen continued to speed forward, swerving the car maniacally in an attempt to knock the alien off. The beast snarled ferociously at them as it slammed its large head onto the windshield, cracking the glass. It then proceeded to climb onto the roof of the car and slam its clawed hand through the metal. Josie screamed once more as the limb scratched around in front of her, briefly hooking onto the material of her pants before pulling back out.