Flashf0rward

Chapter 39: The Element of Surprise

Ivy

We had ridden out shortly before the attack started. Connor was behind me, the both of us on Fred, with Julie and Max riding together, and Yuko riding along with Katrina. Several of the soldiers went with us, two on each horse to minimize our signature. As we all trotted towards the forest, I prayed that our plan would work.

As we were about to make it into the woods, I heard gunshots coming from the direction of Sanctuary. Turning my head, I saw one of the Hummers from the camp firing its machine gun right towards the top of the wall, where Wren was. My eyes widened, and I stopped Fred in his tracks, worry moving through my body. It took Connor speaking into my ear to break me out of it. "He's ok. Keep moving."

Knowing he was right, I motioned to everyone else, and we began to ride into the forest path. We couldn't afford to use any torches or flashlights in danger of being detected, so we could only move very slowly so our horses wouldn't trip over anything. As we kept riding, I heard the sounds of gunfire and shouting growing louder. I tried to ignore it.

It normally took about 5 minutes to cross the forest at full gallop, but at the rate we were going, it was going to be more like 20. Knowing we were running out of time, I turned to everyone else. "We need to pick up the pace. Let's go." Pushing Fred a little harder, we began to lightly trot through the forest, riding along the path towards the meeting point.

As we kept riding, I caught glimpses of the flashes of gunfire through the trees, seeing the destruction that was unfolding by our side. I needed to focus if I wanted to do this job right. Suddenly, Katrina spoke up in a harsh whisper. "Everyone stop, now!" I immediately skidded to a halt, as did everyone else.

Turning to Katrina, I instinctively placed my hand on my pistol. "What's wrong?" I whispered, and I could see that she was closing her eyes and focusing on something. She was using her powers, which wasn't a good sign. She paused for a moment, then opened her eyes. "Someone's walking close to us. I can feel it in the dirt."

I knew it was better to not question her instincts, so I turned to everyone. "Weapons up, move silently. Be ready for anything." Everyone nodded, drawing their weapons and getting ready to fight. I saw that Yuko had her pistol drawn as well, and I was hoping that she would make it out of this alive.

Moving forwards slowly, I tried to make out anything in the forest ahead of us, but it was pitch black, the moonlight barely shining through the canopy. Then, something glinted out of the corner of my eye. Turning that way slowly, I saw that it was metallic, reflecting the moonlight. Like a knife...or a machete.

My eyes widened. Tapping Connor's leg, I motioned gently to the place where I could see the light. Connor squeezed my shoulder in conformation, and repeated the message to everyone else. Acting as if I hadn't seen it, I waited until I was in the right range, then whispered to Connor. "Now."

Connor flicked his hand out towards the spot, a sudden strong gust of wind parting the leaves as someone was knocked back against the tree. Drawing my gun, I saw the moonlight illuminate the face of Giles, Matthias's right hand man. I cursed silently. They had known we would try this. This thought was further proven by the several men that leaped out from the other side of the path.

Bursting through the trees, Matthias's men opened fire on us, shooting some of our horses and guards, causing them to drop to the ground. "Contact!" I shouted as I dove off of Fred, Connor right next to me. Firing my pistol back at the men, I clipped the shoulder of one as I ducked behind a tree for cover.

Looking around, I could see Connor lying down in the grass next to me, and a few trees over I could see Katrina and Yuko staying low. I wasn't sure where Max and Julie were, but I knew that we had to stay alive as long as we could. Firing back, I felt a string of bullets thump against the trunk that was separating me and the gunmen.

Reloading, I heard Connor speak from the ground. "Get down. I got this." Nodding, I slid down to the bottom of the tree trunk, and I felt the wind around me begin to rise. Several sticks and pine needles that were on the ground hovered upwards into the air as Connor stood up from the ground. Pushing his hands outwards, he fired the barrage of forest projectiles towards the men.

What seemed like thousands of needles and sticks flew through the group of men, some of them making them raise their hands, others actually piercing their skin and making them cry out in pain. Taking out one that was distracted with my pistol, I shouted to anyone who was still up. "Push forwards! Don't let them breathe!"

With that, Katrina, Yuko, and any of the soldiers who were still alive started returning fire towards the soldiers, and the 25-strong group of Matthias's men began to fall back, shooting their assault rifles mostly in random directions to try and deter us. "You think that bullet-stopping trick you got will work?" I asked Connor as I put rounds downrange. He shook his head. "Not this many. I could wind up getting shot anyways."

Suddenly, the tree next to me exploded as a shotgun blast took off a large chunk of the trunk. Diving for cover, I was separated again from Connor as I saw the soldier with the shotgun blasting over our heads, trying to take us out. Unable to get out from cover without being blasted, I rapidly tried to consider my options.

Then, the barrage of pellets stopped, and I looked out to see what had happened. I saw the man looking down to see that his entire lower half was covered in long blades of grass, entwining around him and keeping him in place. Suddenly, two long branches sprouted from the trees next to him and wrapped around his arms, making him drop the gun and squeezing him tight. There was a faint crackling noise, and judging by his screams, I didn't think it was from the sticks.

He was suddenly pulled to the ground by more blades of grass, his body slowly becoming wrapped up like a mummy in the foliage. Eventually, he stopped struggling. My eyes were wide as I processed what I'd seen. Turning to my left, I saw Katrina with her hands out, panting slightly as sweat covered her body.

She turned and saw me, then panted, shaking her head. "I've...never used my powers like that before." I gave a little smirk. "Remind me never to get you mad." She smiled back, then her face turned grave. "Behind you!" I turned too late, as I felt a body tackle me, knocking my gun out of my hands. Katrina ducked away to avoid bullets, pushing her away from me. Struggling to get up, I felt a blade against my throat, along with a familiar voice. "So," said Giles. "Where were we?"