Story 21/1001

• impact
• sick
• update

Their van was screeching while making turns, as if it was as afraid as the people inside.

Mabel looked through the window. The jeeps they were trying to run away from were fast approaching. She averted her gaze and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and gripped the shotgun in her hands.

“We’re going to be okay.” Bryce sat next to her. “Alex can even out drive a plane. Right, Alex?” He tapped on his seat.

“Sure, sure.” Alex tried to smile, but ended up giving them a sour grin. “What’s the update?”

“Still radio silence. “Jamal answered, holding a laptop in his lap. He turned around from the passenger seat and looked at Mabel.

She may have closed her eyes, but fear was written all over her body.

“We will have to fight.” Jamal said.

“We can’t win.” Mabel whispered.

“We have to try, Mabel.” Ivan retorted, his deep voice echoing in the silence of the van.

“Try what? To die even more painfully? We never stood a chance, Ivan.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Five of us infiltrating their headquarters – and for what?”

“You knew what you were signing up for.” Ivan’s stern gaze was fixed on her.

“You knew we might not get out of here alive, Mabel.” Bryce held her hand. “We completed the mission. That’s all we had to do.”

“What about getting us out?” Mabel looked around, but everyone, aside from lvan, averted their gaze.

“They never said anything about getting us out.” Ivan answered.

“What-“

“I’m sorry.” Bryce said, holding her hand tighter. “I thought you knew.”

“I- They’re just as sick as the New Dawn! Revolution, my a**. They’re using the same tactics as the Dawners are!”

A loud slap silenced Mabel along with the rest of them. Ivan was leaning over Mabel. His gaze hurt her more than the slap.

“Pull yourself together or jump out of the van.” Ivan’s words were cold.

Mabel gulped, swallowing her pride and stopping her tears. If she was going to die, at least she will die fighting. She nodded, and Ivan sat back on his seat.

“Guys-” Alex called.

“What is it?” Jamal asked, lifting his head up from his laptop.

“Brace for impact.”

The three jeeps following them were close. Two jeeps were on each side of the van, while the last one was behind them.

First they heard scratching of the metal. Then, a loud thud. Alex cursed, trying to keep the wheel straight.

Then, their van tilted to one side, with Mabel and Bryce falling. One jeep was pushing them towards something.

Alex yelled. Jamal covered his face, as the cliff grew closer.

Ivan stood up, trying to kick open the tilted door of the van. Bryce tried to help him.

Mabel looked at them, telling them to stand back. She took her shotgun and pointed it to the door.

The shots echoed. Ivan and Bryce kicked the doors, pushing through the numbing pain in their ears.

The jeeps stopped at the edge of the cliff. A few men got out and looked at the canyon below them.

All they saw was a van in flames.