Chapter 10 - The Flight of the Phoenix
The armored truck tore across the desert landscape, completely crushing the wire fence of the airfield.
The red targeting laser from the drone desperately tracked them across the dark tarmac.
A sleek, twin-engine jet sat at the end of the runway with its turbines already whining.
Claire slammed on the brakes, skidding to a halt right next to the boarding stairs.
Daniel kicked the back doors open and provided cover fire into the dark sky.
Richard stumbled out of the passenger seat, his face pale from blood loss.
Claire supported his weight, dragging him up the metal stairs of the aircraft.
Daniel followed closely behind them, sealing the heavy cabin door shut.
He shouted to the cockpit, ordering the pilots to take off immediately.
The jet surged forward, pressing them all deep into the leather seats.
Missiles from the drone struck the runway directly behind them, engulfing the tarmac in flames.
The plane pitched violently but managed to lift into the safety of the clouds.
The deafening roar of the engines slowly faded into a steady hum.
Claire exhaled a long, shaking breath, feeling the adrenaline finally crash.
She had survived the night, escaped her murderous mother, and made it out of the country.
She opened the medical kit and began tightly bandaging Richard's bleeding side.
Richard offered her a weak but proud smile, telling her she did well.
Daniel sat across from them, pouring a glass of whiskey from the cabin bar.
He handed the glass to Claire, congratulating her on making it out alive.
He said they were finally safe, and now they could focus on taking back her throne.
Claire took the glass, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over her.
She looked at Daniel, wanting to believe that the nightmare was truly over.
The door to the cockpit clicked open, and the co-pilot stepped into the cabin.
He was dressed in a sharp dark suit and wore a silver phoenix pin on his lapel.
The man smiled warmly at Claire and bowed his head slightly.
He told Daniel that the coordinates had been locked and the autopilot was engaged.
Daniel smiled back, taking a sip of his whiskey before looking directly into Claire's eyes.
He calmly told her that they were not flying to Europe.
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He pressed a button on a remote control, and a heavy steel grate slammed down, locking Claire and Richard inside the passenger cabin.
Daniel smiled chillingly as he revealed he was delivering her directly to the Queen.
