Route 66

38 Freedom

Out of the corner of my eye I could see a militant unhinging a nightstick from his utility belt as he circled around behind me. I gasped as he shoved it through my legs and wedged them apart and then, with one swift move, hiked my skirt all the way up.

The smiles and jeers of the militants instantly turned to panic when they saw what was strapped to my thighs.

I snapped my head up and locked eyes with Hindler as I swept my arms down and ripped the guns off, brushing a finger past the shield activator.

The force catapulted the militant behind me up into the air as I shot him over my shoulder with one pistol and blasted the one next to Matthew with the second.

Next, I trained my aim to where Hindler and the Commander had been standing but it was too late. The Commander had taken cover behind a large steel support beam and a militant threw his body in front of Hindler, taking a bullet to the chest.

Through it all I heard Randolph's frantic voice shouting, "Don't kill her! I need her alive!" But no one heeded his commands as a barrage of bullets pinged off my invisible shield.

I methodically shot them all down in cold blood and after a minute there was dead silence and no sign of Hindler or the Commander anywhere.

Where was Captain Rodriguez and his team? They should have been here by now.

I slapped my forehead and realized that somehow the phone had powered down. I quickly reactivated it and said, "Captain?"

Suddenly, the commanding voice of Rodriguez came through loud and clear and said, "What's your location? What happened? We lost the signal."

"I'm in a warehouse a couple miles from the station. The Commander and Hindler are here, I REPEAT, the Commander and Hindler ARE HERE! I've neutralized the rest of the militants who were with them but don't know if any more on their way. Hurry!"

I cautiously peered around the column but didn't see any signs of movement. I glanced up at Matt to make sure he was okay and then yelled, "Special Forces with the US military are on their way. Get out in the open where I can see you and DROP YOUR WEAPONS!!"

The back door shutting made a faint metallic click as Matt yelled frantically from the catwalk, "Mom! They're getting away!"

I rushed up and quickly shot through his cuffs.

"Let's go!" he said, hobbling forward.

Resting my hand on his shoulder, I said, "You're in no condition to run. Stay here and explain everything to the captain when he arrives." Then I gave him a reassuring nod and raced down the stairs to the back entryway.

I surveyed a couple trucks but didn't notice any signs of life. Glancing down the road, I made out the faintest outline of a Hummer driving madly towards the horizon.

Someone had left keys sticking on one of the trucks so I quickly jumped in and turned the engine over with a deep rumbling. Then I kicked the windshield out and sped off in hot pursuit as the sound of screeching rubber tore through the serenity of the African landscape.

After five minutes of hard driving I was right on their tail but couldn't see in through tinted windows. I reached for the gun and fired at the rear wheel.

No effect.

I fired again with the same result knowing in my gut that both shots had been a direct hit and then suddenly realized that the pistol was now empty. I grabbed the other gun and fired multiple rounds until those bullets had been exhausted as well.

Could I have missed so many shots?

Then it hit me, their car was bullet proof and all my ammunition was gone.