Deadliest Of The Species by John Lee Schneider

Author:John Lee Schneider [Schneider, John Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severed Press
Published: 2023-09-10T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

The four-wheeler had blown a hole in its gas tank. Mark let it roll until it sputtered to a stop.

He had tried to work his way back to the road, but the terrain took its toll quickly – rocks, large branches. The torn tank drained dry in minutes.

Mark glanced back up the hill. He’d gained them a couple of miles at most.

For the moment, immediate pursuit was unlikely – he could still hear roars and gunshots in the background.

He turned to Lily, sitting beside him, staring up at him dreamily. He sat her back, checking her eyes.

Obviously, Rhodes decided not to waste time grilling her. Mark supposed it was more humane – certainly more pragmatic. After all, what was the point of beating information out of a prisoner, when you could just give ‘em a shot, and have a pleasant conversation over tea?

Although, it did mean Lily was not going to be a lot of help for the next several hours, with the dubiously better news that she would likely be awake and ambulatory.

Mark set the dead four-wheeler into park. The scooter was stocked with a first-aid kit and general survival aides, which Mark scooped-up by rote, shoveling them into his pack. He took Lily's hand and pulled her gently onto her feet.

Then he noticed the drip of gasoline, and the trail he'd left behind, probably all the way up to the base.

He could smell gas in the air. The tinder wasn’t autumn-dry, but was in spring-bloom. There would be a lot to burn.

Mark debated. He didn't think the fire would spread much beyond the immediate peak. Lily’s sisters lived high up on the dam, right along the river. They should be fine.

Based on short acquaintance, he also guessed they would generally approve. As he struck a match, he tossed it into his path leading back up to the base.

The flame licked at the gasoline-soaked trail, igniting a crooked path up the hill.

Mark took Lily's arm over his shoulder, taking her weight, and stepping her autopilot-stumble up into a fast walk, as he led them downhill into the trees.

There was the crackle of wet burning leaves behind them, and then the flame reached the four-wheeler's gas-tank. The explosion momentarily drowned-out the battle still raging above.

Mark paused, looking up, listening to the back-and-forth gunfire and responding bellows. It sounded like Rexy was holding her own.

“Come on,” he said, pulling Lily along a little faster.

Lily moaned softly. Mark squeezed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“It’s gonna be okay,” he said. “I’m gonna get you home.”

But it was not easy-going, especially carrying Lily along. It was nightfall before they reached the bottom of the basin.

Mark estimated another three-miles to go, but for now, he was tired, and he wasn’t about to try the forest in the dark.

They stopped at a small stream, an estuary off the main river. Hiking Lily up, carrying her in both arms, he waded across to the far bank. Whenever possible, he liked to camp near water, with his back to a hollow tree or overturned log.

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