4:20 in the morning
East Jagren
Ryan stopped the car near a sidewalk near a construction site.
At his side, Gabi is dozed off, sleeping soundly.
She looks so peaceful.
Why do people look so peaceful while they sleep?
Maybe because when we're dreaming we actually feel more alive than when we are awake.
And when we wake up, that's when the real nightmare begins..
Ryan released Gabi off her handcuffs and slightly poked her hand.
She woke up and looked at him.
Ryan:- Had a good nap?
Gabi:- Where are we?
Ryan:- Someone is waiting for me, I have to go meet him.
Gabi:- So then why did you wake me up?
Ryan:- Because you're coming with me. Can't let you stay here all alone. It isn't safe. Let's go!
Gabi:- Is it my dad?
Ryan:- No.
Gabi:- You swear?
Ryan:- Yes. Let's just go and see for yourself.
Both of them got out if the car.
Ryan handcuffed her left hand with his right hand.
He knows she isn't going to try to run now.
But he isn't taking any risk.
They went in the construction site.
Its quieter than a cemetery here.
Its's a perfect place for holding secret meetings.
Upon reaching the third floor, Ryan took out his cellphone and turned on the flash light, then turned off.
Then he did that again, turned it on, and off.
Then again on, and again off.
Took a while for Gabi to realize that it was signal.
Someone appeared from the dark.
A big muscular figure.
Gabi can't see his face properly.
The stranger hugged Ryan, and they spent quite some time hugging each other.
Stranger:- When did you get out?
Ryan:- Before midnight, got lucky.
Stranger:- Thank God, I can't tell you the hell we were going through
The stranger then looked at Gabi with a confused faced. He asked Ryan,
Stranger:- Who's that?
Ryan:- Make a guess.
The stranger looked at Gabi for a while, finally reached out his arm to shake hands.
Stranger:- Hi Ms Gabrielle, my name is Chris. And I'm Ryan's cousin.
Gabi:- Hello.
They shook hands. Then Chris looked at Ryan.
Ryan:- How's milord?
Chris:- Dad's worried. Very worried. The Falcons decided to operate secretly like us unlike before. Dad told Johnson to get his people and go to Lymington(Falcon gang's HQ). He did, but most of his men are dead by now.
Ryan:- What about Louis? Where's he?
Chris:- Went hiding. Probably in Lymington. Big ass pussy!
Ryan:- Well he was always like that.
Chris:- Yeah. He sent Bernie.
Ryan:- Shit. That's bad.
Chris:- Yeah. By the way, big Sam(Louis' eldest son) sent his people to look for you and her (pointing to Gabi).
Gabi got a cold feeling down her spine.
Chris:- You're coming back right?
Ryan:- Not yet, I have some things to do. Besides I found something.
Chris:- What is it?
Ryan:- We have a rat among us. Someone set me up. I don't know who it is but I heard the kidnappers making a phone call while I pretended that I passed out.
Chris:- What!! What did you hear?
Ryan:- Not much. But they were about to kill me that's when I heard they were after her(pointing at Gabi).
Chris:- How the fuck did you escape man?
Ryan:- I was just lucky.
Chris:- So after you escaped then you went searching for her?
Ryan:- Yup, they are still searching for us. That's why it isn't safe for me to go back right now. Tell Don about that. And don't tell anybody else.
Chris:- Well I will. But it isn't safe for you anywhere. There are people looking for you out there. Plus we need you bro. Dad needs you! You should meet him in the bunker.
Ryan:- The last place you want be to be is in our bunker. Infact y'all should leave the bunker as well, I overheard them Falcons, they will attack the bunker tonight, the rat among us told them about it.
Chris:- So where will you go?
Ryan:- The last place Louis will expect us to go.
Chris:- To Lymington!?
Ryan:- Well, later. First we have to take care of something else.
Chris:- But what do I say to Dad?
Ryan:- Tell him 'we are exactly where we are supposed to be'..
Chris:- OK. I will.
Ryan:- By the way, I need guns.
Chris:- All I can give you is my beretta.
Ryan :- That will be great. Do you have shotgun bullets tho?
Chris:- No. How did you get a shotgun? Here's my beretta.
Ryan:- Long story. Thanks.
He then proceeded to leave with Gabi.
Chris:- By the way, Ryan.
Ryan looked back.
Ryan:- Yes?
Chris:- Happy birthday bro.
Ryan:- Awh. Thanks.
Chris:- I know it's the worst way to celebrate a birthday, but I brought you some food. Thought you might be hungry. Take this backpack.
Ryan:- Oh yes. Thanks man. Appreciate it. See you soon. Don't die.
Chris:- You too.
They hug each other for the last time. Then he headed to the exit with Gabi.
Gabi:- He seemed like a nice guy.
Ryan:- Only brother I have.
Gabi:- At least you have someone who cares.
Ryan:- You have someone too. Don't be sad.
Gabi:- Lol, you mean my dad? You don't know what he did to me & mom.
Ryan:- At least you have a dad.
Gabi looked at him.
Some sadness are not expressed by tears, sorrow or through any other sad expressions.
They become permanently fixed with the whole attitude of the person.
This is the first time Gabi felt the presence of a deep sorrow within Ryan's presence.
He might not tell.
But that's how it is.
It comes out with his dark persona.
They got in the car.
Gabi:- So where to now?
Ryan:- Your dad's.
Gabi let out a huge sigh. She knew it was coming.
He started the engine, and slowly drove towards the exit.
His cousin came out of the site and watched them drive away.
4:35 in the morning,
They have been driving for 5 minutes now. Headed towards city center.
That's where Gabi's dad lives.
The road is not much quiet as before.
They passed through a nightclub just now.
There aren't many around right now.
But there definitely are some inside. Because the music is still blasting at full volume.
Its shocking to see there are still people who go to nightclubs in a situation like this, Gabi thought.
Ryan:- Take a look inside the backpack..
Gabi took the backpack given by Chris, opened it.
Inside there is a lunchbox.
A sandwich, some chicken nuggets.
There's also a bottle of bear.
Ryan:- Eat while you can.
Saying that, he took a beer bottle and started sipping on it.
Gabi decided to put the backpack on the backseat.
Ryan:- You should eat.
Gabi:- I'm vegan.
Ryan:- Have my beer then.
Gabi:- No thanks.
Ryan:- Alright.
They crossed the nightclub and took a right turn.
The music seemed to fade away slowly.
After going about a block suddenly a purple sedan car popped out from the left alley and hit their pickup hard with top speed.
Both of their car started spinning crazily.
Ryan and Gabi's car stopped rotating after getting hit by a pole.
Airbags came out, saving them from much harm. Although a portion of damage is already done.
Ryan popped the airbags, breathing heavily.
He looked at Gabi and saw her moaning slightly in pain.
Right side of her forehead is cut.
Ryan looked through the rear-view mirror to look at the car that just hit them.
To his horror, those men from the purple sedan took their guns out, pointed at them, about to shoot.
Within the fraction of a second, Ryan grabbed Gabi's head and got it as low as possible..
The new bunch of gunmen started shooting fatally.
The glasses shatters to pieces, even the side and the back view mirrors. The back of seat got filled with bullet holes.
This can't go on any longer or it will be much more fatal. Ryan pressed gas as hard as possible and their car started going right away.
Within a few seconds, their car picked enough speed to get away from those guys.
After going for a while, both Ryan and Gabi put their heads up.
Ryan:- You OK?
Gabi :- My head hurts.
He looked at her head wound. Sees a thin line of blood coming out of her wound.
Ryan:- It will be fine, here take this.
He cut a part of his shirt with his left hand.
Ryan:- hold the steering wheel for me please.
Gabi feeling a bit drowsy with her head injury, but still complied what Ryan said.
Meanwhile, he used that part of his cloth to wrap around his head and make a bandage.
Ryan:- Be careful with that. Don't put pressure and make it start bleeding again.
Gabi nodded. She's finding it too painful to even speak.
Just as he finished the bandage, they hear a round of bullets fired at them.
Ryan quickly took the wheels again and looked behind just to see those gunmen on their tail again.
This time they are on a top speed chase off.
Ryan speeded up his pick up as fast as it can go.
But the car behind is made for the purpose so it can out run the opponent in a chase off.
They are quickly loosing distance between them.
Another round of bullets were fired. They hit the back of the pickup.
Ryan also fired back at them using the gun Chris gave him.
This can't go on.
If those men keep chasing them any longer he and Gabi will be with in their sight very soon.
He took a sharp left turn. The enemies on the sedan got confused.
The purple sedan made a hard break, went back, then started going left tailing behind them.
Ryan took another turn to the right. This time he immediately took another right before the purple sedan even made it to the first right.
The enemies on the purple car got confused after they took the first right.
They they go right?
Or left?
Driver:- Dammit it! We lost them Tobi!
Tobi:- Goddamn!! I told you to be more careful.
Driver:- Where do we go then? Right or left?
Tobi:- Let's take a left..
Meanwhile, in Ryan's pickup,
Gabi:- Who are these men?
Ryan:- They are Tobi's group.
Gabi:- who's Tobi?
Ryan:- He works for Louis. A direct sub-ordinate of Louis' right-hand man, Bernie, the one whom Chris spoke about.
Gabi:- it's getting more complicated now.
Ryan:- I know. But now isn't the time to discuss that. Tobi will be on our tail soon. He will definitely find us.
Gabi:- But you just have a gun, what are you going to do?
Ryan:- Don't forget we still have a bullet left in the shotgun. There's still hope.
Gabi:- You can't win this one in a gunfight. It isn't the coffeeshop.
Ryan:- You're right. I need some other plan.
Outside, the darkness is slowly fading away.
The sky is getting lighter.
Its going to be morning very soon.
Suddenly an idea stuck in Ryan's head.
Ryan:- I got a plan.
Gabi:- What is it?
Ryan:- I need a long pipe. Where can I get a long pipe?
Gabi:- Like a water hose?
Ryan:- Yes! Do you know where we can get a water hose?
Gabi:- Um, yea. Take a left from here and within two blocks you will Find one at Bailey's.
Ryan:- That's where you work right?
Gabi :- Yes.
Ryan:- Cool.
They make a quick turn and reach Bailey's fast.
Ryan rushed out, not before handcuffing Gabi to the steering wheel.
Ryan broke the lock with his axe and went in.
The store is bigger than he imagined.
No wonder why Gabi gets a salary big enough to pay the rents of her own apartment without taking her father's money.
It took a while to find what he was looking for. He immediately grabbed those and started running towards the exit.
But right then his eyes stopped at a beautiful bunch of hunting knives hanging in the wall.
It might be needed later, thinking that he started stuffing his pockets and belt with knives.
Meanwhile, outside in the car, Gabi was getting irritated to the fact that she got handcuffed again.
Ryan is way too careful to be honest.
Suddenly, she hears tired speaking from distance. As if someone took a hard drift.
She looks back, and sees, that at least a few hundred metres back, the purple sedan is headed towards their car, full speed.
Gabi:- Ryan! That car is back! Falcon's are back! Get back here quick!
Ryan was just about to stuff another knife. He stopped and immediately ran though the exit. The parking lot is way too big to run through.
Its taking him a while.
But at the same time, the purple sedan is also picking up speed.
Gabi:- Ryan quick!
Ryan:- Take the keys from the dashboard! Start the car!
Gabi:- My hands are locked!
Ryan:- Use your leg!
Gabi tries her best to open the dashboard. It easily opened.
But taking the key and putting it on the keyhole with her mouth was the hard part.
But Gabi managed it.
Ryan is close, so is the purple Sedan.
Gabi grabbed the end of the key and twisted it.
The cars engine starts running.
Gabi got to driving seat. She kicked the gear to drive.
Just about then, Ryan threw the water pipe on the back of the pickup and jumped on the passenger seat.
Gabi pressed the gas pedal as of her life depended on it.
The car started moving with top speed.
They started heading off with the purple sedan still on their tail, but this time, the enemies were much more faster..
Gabi:- What took you soo long!?
Ryan:- I was searching..
Gabi:- Why did it take you soo long to search some damn waterpipes!? I could've died!
Ryan:- You won't die. I'm here just to make sure of that.
He opened Gabi's cuffs while they were driving.
Gabi:- so what's your pla....
Around of shots were fired from the back. They are shooting again..
Ryan:- Take a turn!
Gabi:- Which way?
Ryan:- Left!
Gabi took a sharp left.
Ryan seemed to underestimate her.
She's a better driver than he thought.
The turning was hard but swiftly done. The driver behind them was prepared this time though.
He took a turn along with her.
But they have total of 5 men on the car.
So taking turns seems to decrease their speed quickly.
Gabi took a right turn towards the way outside of the city center.
And another turn.
Then another.
She's in a complete mode of street race right now.
Gabi:- So what's your plan? This can't go on forever.
Ryan:- When we pick more distance with the purple sedan, I will open the door and jump on the back of the car. OK?
Gabi:- And do what?
Ryan:- You will see. By the way, open up the fuel tank.
Gabi pulled the lever to the gas cap opener.
Ryan:- You ready?
Gabi:- Yes!
She took a hard left. Then immediately a right. The driver of the purple sedan is quite behind now.
Just when the purple car went out of sight, Ryan took the empty beer bottle from the cupstand, opened the car door and carefully climbed to the back of the pickup.
He lied down there so even when the purple sedan appears again they won't see him there.
He took the water pipe, opened gas cap and put one end of the pipe inside that gas tank.
With the other end he put it inside his mouth and gave a hard pull.
He could feel gasoline coming up through the pipe. He quickly took the end out of his mouth and put it on the empty beer bottle.
Fuel started coming out of the pipe and immediately filled the bottle.
The purple sedan came to sight again.
This time, they're much more quicker than before.
Ryan noticed the suddenly entered a highway.
That means no more turns or whatever.
If they catch them this time it will be over.
He quickly took out the pipe from the tank.
Then he cut another part of his cloth using a newly stolen hunting knife.
He soaked that part of the cloth with gasoline that was spilled from the pipe.
Finally, he inserted that part of his cloth on the open mouth of fuel filled beer bottle.
It a fully useable molotov cocktail.
He did all that while lying down.
Now he just needs to throw this on Tobi's car, it will ignite with a burst.
He took out his lighter and set fire on the piece of cloth sticking out of the bottle.
A loud round of bullets hit the back of the pickup.
This time, one of the bullets hit the back-left tyre and punctured it..
The car started squeaking.
Ryan imagined Gabi driving. She is having a hard time to control the car now.
Its all on him.
If he fucks up now, it will be game over!
The purple sedan almost caught up with the car.
They are on the left side of the pickup.
Tobi's men started shooting at the driving seat now.
Gabi already got as low as possible.
The bullets created holes in the door more than one can count.
Suddenly Tobi noticed something from the corner of his eye, something moving at the back of the long pickup.
Before Tobi completely noticed, Ryan got up and aimed, and threw his cocktail as hard as he could.
The cocktail went inside through the backside window, bursting there.
BOOOM!!
A flash of light is seen on Tobi's car, igniting everything inside.
The car immediately came to a halt after the driver hit the car with the dividers.
The whole car is burning.
Gabi stopped the pickup and looked back.
She saw Ryan standing on the back of the pickup, looking at the car he just destroyed.
Tobi came out of the car, ablazed, with an AR-57 on his hand.
Ryan immediately took out his gun and shot Tobi.
His shot was way off and barely cut a little scratch on Tobi's left hand.
That reason is because Tobi's frequent movement due to the fire burning on his body.
Ryan made his second shot. This time he made a hole in Tobi's heart.
Tobi jerked for a while, then fell down a few metres away from their pickup.
Ryan got down and slowly came closed to his deadbody.
He took the submachine gun from his hand and checked the bullet.
Almost half full.
Still, better than nothing.
Ryan looked at the burning car.
And then turned and started walking towards his own car.
Suddenly he stopped on his track and looked at the pickup, shocked to his core.
The door to the drivers seat is open.
Gabi was not in the car.....