Chapter 7 - The Dying Wish
Noah stared in pure horror at the dark crimson blood seeping through Elias's fingers. The old man had been shot during the chaotic diner ambush, hiding his fatal wound the entire time. "You cannot die down here, we have to keep moving right now!" Noah pleaded desperately. "My race is finally run, kid," Elias smiled weakly, sliding slowly down the rough concrete pillar. The terrifying sounds of brutal, close-quarters combat echoed loudly through the cavernous tunnel. The enraged biker was slashing wildly in the dark, taking down two enforcers before being riddled with bullets. Gary crawled out from underneath the dead biker, covered entirely in disgusting grime and blood. He snatched the wet black flash drive from the puddle with a maniacal, triumphant laugh. "I told you that I would always win, Elias!" Gary screamed victoriously into the cavernous dark. Elias looked up at Noah, his breathing growing incredibly shallow and terrifyingly ragged. "That drive is just a fake, designed solely to waste their time," Elias whispered painfully. "The real drive is cleverly hidden inside the hollow gold coin I just gave you." Noah looked down at the heavy coin, finally realizing the immense, dangerous weight of what he held. "Get to the surface and take that directly to the FBI field office," Elias ordered with his last breath. Noah nodded firmly, hot tears welling in his eyes for the brave stranger he had just met. He turned quickly and began to run down the pitch-black maintenance corridor. Suddenly, a massive hand grabbed Noah roughly by the throat and lifted him entirely off the ground. Gary glared menacingly at Noah, pressing the cold barrel of a pistol directly against the boy's forehead.
