The first shot rang out like a crack of thunder.
Alex didn't hesitate. He dropped low behind the pump, his gun raised.
Luis's men fired back, the sharp crack of their pistols echoing in the night. The bullets tore through the air, slamming into the gas station's concrete walls.
Alex kept his head down, eyes scanning for the shooters. Ellie was already on the move, ducking behind the nearest car for cover, her own gun drawn. Maya stayed close to Alex, keeping her head low.
"Move!" Alex shouted, pushing Maya toward the back of the station.
The two men behind the car were closing in. Fast.
Alex aimed, his heartbeat steady despite the chaos, and fired.
The first man dropped to the ground, blood blooming from his chest.
Luis cursed, pulling back behind the car for cover. "Cross, you're gonna regret this."
"Already do," Alex muttered, moving to a better position. He glanced at Maya. "Stay down."
She nodded, her gun still clutched tightly in her hands.
Ellie fired, but her shot went wide. She cursed, peeking out to adjust.
Luis didn't give them much time to breathe. He leaned out from behind cover, returning fire. The bullet grazed Alex's arm, sending a sharp pain down his side.
"Fuck!" he hissed, biting down on the pain.
Maya flinched, but Alex waved her off. "It's nothing. Keep moving."
Ellie took the opportunity to leap from her cover and get closer to the other car. Her movements were swift, fluid, and deadly.
Luis's two remaining men were distracted, and that was when Alex made his move. He darted to the left, drawing their fire and making himself the perfect target.
Luis's men took the bait. One of them shot at him, while the other shifted his attention to Maya.
"Move!" Alex yelled, watching the second man take aim at her.
Maya ducked and dove, narrowly avoiding the bullet that hit the wall just behind her. She rolled into a crouch, gun aimed directly at the man.
Her shot rang out, striking him in the head.
The man crumpled to the ground without a sound.
Alex's heart pounded, but there was no time to appreciate the victory. Luis had already repositioned himself, and he wasn't going to let them get away so easily.
Luis was smart—too smart. He knew they'd try to break for the car. He wasn't about to give them a chance.
Alex pushed Maya behind the nearest pillar for cover. Ellie had already made her way to the other side, and the two were back-to-back.
"Can't keep this up forever," Ellie muttered, watching Luis adjust his position.
"Then we end it," Alex said, voice low and fierce.
Luis's voice echoed in the night, mocking. "You think you can beat me? I was made for this."
"Maybe," Alex replied, "but I was made to survive."
He fired.
The bullet hit Luis's shoulder, but he only grunted, using the pain to fuel his rage. He returned fire, and Alex dove, narrowly missing the deadly shot.
"Cover!" Ellie yelled, and they both ducked behind the concrete.
A pause.
Then the sound of a car engine roaring to life.
Alex cursed under his breath. Luis was making his escape.
But not without a parting gift.
A flash of light. A grenade.
"Move!" Ellie screamed.
Alex grabbed Maya, pulling her hard toward the back of the station. They hit the ground just as the explosion rocked the station, sending debris flying.
The blast was deafening. The air tasted like smoke and gasoline.
When the dust cleared, Alex blinked, his ears ringing. The station was in ruins. One of the pumps had been torn apart. Flames licked the air, licking at the twisted metal and broken glass.
Ellie was already up, assessing the damage.
"Shit, we need to move. Now," she barked.
Alex stood, wiping blood from his brow. He turned to Maya. "You good?"
She nodded, though her face was pale. "Yeah. But I don't think Luis is done with us."
"That's the problem," Alex said. "Neither are we."
Ellie tossed Alex the keys to the car. "Let's go. We're not staying here for a second longer."
They ran for the car, the air still thick with the smell of gasoline and smoke. The tires screeched as Alex slammed the gas pedal, speeding out of the parking lot.
The road ahead was clear—at least for now. But the message was clear:
The Disciples were coming.
And this was only the beginning.