Chapter 6 - The First Step
A massive cloud of smoke and splintered wood filled the tiny motel room.
Vance immediately shoved me off the bed and threw his armored body over mine to shield me from the blast.
Two heavily armed mercenaries stepped through the ruined doorway, sweeping the room with assault rifles.
Vance rolled onto his back and fired three rapid shots, dropping the first mercenary instantly.
The second mercenary returned fire, tearing the cheap mattress to shreds.
"Here!" Vance yelled, sliding a loaded pistol across the floor directly into my hands.
I caught the weapon, rolled onto my stomach, and fired blindly into the smoke.
My bullet struck the second mercenary in the knee, sending him crashing to the floor in agony.
Vance quickly moved forward, kicking the rifle away from the bleeding man and pinning him down.
"Who sent you?" Vance roared, pressing the barrel of his gun against the mercenary's head.
"Gabriel Caldwell," the man choked out, coughing up blood.
"He is moving the woman and the kid to the abandoned steel mill by the river tonight."
Vance knocked the mercenary unconscious with the butt of his pistol.
"We have to move, Ethan," Vance said, reaching down to grab me by the arms.
"No," I replied firmly, refusing his offered hand.
I grabbed the edge of the shattered bed frame, my knuckles turning completely white.
I channeled every ounce of anger, betrayal, and hope I possessed into my lower body.
My legs shook violently, vibrating like a tuning fork, but I pushed through the blinding pain.
Slowly, agonizingly, I pulled my body upward.
For the first time in six months, I stood entirely on my own two feet.
I took a shaky, uncoordinated step forward, nearly collapsing before Vance caught my shoulder to steady me.
"I can walk," I whispered, tears of profound relief streaming down my face.
"Then let's go get your company back," Vance smiled fiercely.
We raided the trunk of Vance's SUV, gearing up with tactical vests and heavy weaponry.
As we drove toward the steel mill, my legs continued to regain their natural strength with every passing minute.
We parked two blocks away from the towering, rusted structure of the abandoned mill.
I stepped out of the vehicle unassisted, walking with a heavy limp but moving forward with unstoppable purpose.
May you like
We silently infiltrated the main floor, hiding behind a row of massive steel containers.
I could see Gabriel standing near a large chemical vat, but before I could aim my weapon, a cold gun barrel was pressed firmly against the back of my head.
