Chapter 14: The Chase
The faint buzzing sound grew louder, a mechanical hum that sent a chill down Adam's spine. He barely had time to grab the glowing disc before Henry yanked him out of the storage unit.
Outside, the dim light of the flickering lamps cast eerie shadows across the gravel. A black van screeched to a halt near the gate Adam had cut through, its doors sliding open to reveal figures dressed in tactical gear.
"Move!" Henry barked, pulling Adam toward the back of the facility.
Adam stumbled after him, the glowing disc tucked under his arm. His heart pounded as the sound of heavy boots echoed behind them.
"No kidding!" Adam hissed, his breath coming in short bursts. "Any suggestions?"
Henry glanced back, his expression grim. "They've got us pinned. You got a weapon?"
Adam shook his head. "Just this," he said, holding up the disc.
Henry cursed under his breath. "Great. Well, hope you're good at running."
They rounded a corner, only to find two more figures blocking their path. The men raised their weapons, but Henry reacted instantly, pulling a small flashbang from his pocket and tossing it.
"Cover your eyes!" he shouted.
Adam barely had time to obey before the device exploded in a blinding flash. The men shouted in confusion, giving Henry and Adam just enough time to sprint past them.
Adam spotted the gap ChatGPT mentioned—a section of the chain-link fence bent upward just enough to crawl through. But as they approached, another figure stepped into their path, aiming a rifle directly at them.
"Stop right there!" the man ordered.
Henry didn't hesitate. He charged the man, knocking the rifle aside and delivering a swift punch to his jaw. The man crumpled to the ground as Henry grabbed his weapon.
"Go!" Henry shouted, covering Adam as he scrambled through the gap in the fence.
The other side of the fence opened onto a wooded area, the thick canopy casting shadows over the uneven ground. Adam's breath hitched as he ran, branches scratching at his arms and face. Behind him, he heard the shouts of their pursuers and the occasional crack of gunfire.
"Where are we going?" Adam called over his shoulder.
Henry, a few steps ahead, didn't slow down. "There's a safehouse about a mile from here. We can regroup there."
Adam gritted his teeth. "I'm not that out of shape."
Despite the danger, Adam couldn't help but chuckle. "You're a real confidence booster, you know that?"
The forest seemed to stretch on forever, the darkness pressing in around them. Adam's legs burned, and his lungs felt like they might burst, but he pushed on, following Henry's determined pace.
After what felt like an eternity, the trees began to thin, revealing a small cabin nestled in a clearing. It looked abandoned, its windows boarded up and its roof sagging slightly under the weight of years.
Henry led the way inside, slamming the door shut behind them and barring it with a heavy plank.
"Help me with this," he said, motioning to a large cabinet. Together, they pushed it against the door, reinforcing their barricade.
Adam collapsed onto a dusty chair, the glowing disc still clutched tightly in his hands. "So… this is the safehouse?"
Henry smirked. "Safe enough for now. You alright?"
Adam nodded, though his heart was still racing. "Who were those guys?"
Henry's expression darkened. "They work for them. The people who'll do anything to get their hands on what you're holding."
"Yeah, well, hindsight's twenty-twenty," Adam muttered.
Henry leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on the glowing disc. "What do you know about this thing?"
Adam hesitated. "Not much. I found it in the storage unit. It looked important."
Henry snorted. "Important doesn't even begin to cover it. That disc is a piece of tech way ahead of its time. It's a key, a map, and a weapon all in one."
Adam frowned. "A key to what?"
Henry hesitated, as if debating how much to reveal. "To something that's better off staying hidden. Trust me on that."
The cryptic response only fueled Adam's curiosity, but before he could press further, a loud bang echoed from outside.
"They found us," Henry said, his voice low. He cocked the rifle, his eyes sharp. "Stay behind me. And if they get through that door… run."
Adam swallowed hard, gripping the disc tighter. "What about you?"
Henry gave him a grim smile. "I'll hold them off as long as I can. Just don't let them get that thing."
"Not the time," Adam muttered, his pulse quickening as the banging grew louder.
The door rattled against the barricade, and Adam braced himself, wondering if this night would be his last.
End of Chapter 14