Page 59 of Celtic Dragon
Turning back to the hatch, I realize that Rebel is still hanging onto the rail of the hatch. He hasn’t moved. When I try to nudge him, he goes limp, falling into me as we fall to the ground.Fuck, he’s been hit!
Suddenly, I hear more footsteps and realize I need to act quickly. Instead of checking his wound right there in the dark tunnel, I grab him and lift him through the hatch. Ryder reaches through and grabs him, saying, “Ice, what the fuck happened?”
“Get him in the truck, I’m coming! I’ll fill you in once we get out.”
Ryder pulls Rebel through the hatch. Just as I’m about to climb through, more shots fly past me.I’ve about had it with these fuckers!Reaching into my jacket pocket, I pull out the grenade that I’d brought alongjust in case.While holding down on the lever, I pull the pin. I toss the grenade toward the mass of guards that are quickly gaining on me. It explodes directly in front of them. I don’t wait to assess the damage; I quickly turn and proceed through the hatch. The truck is right where Liam had said it would be, and Conner and Aillise are already in the back of the truck. Doc and Ryder carry Rebel in and I close the back behind them. I run to the passenger side of the truck and open the door.
“Let’s get the fuck out of here!” I say.
“Trouble?” Liam asks as he starts to drive.
“We almost got caught. The guards were gaining and started firing on us. I may have blown some of them up.”
“What the fuck, Ice?”
“It had to be done. We had to get out.” I wait and when he says nothing, I continue, “Rebel got shot. I don’t have any idea how bad it is, but he’s unconscious in the back. Doc is back there with him and I’m hoping he can at least hold the wound until we get safely away.”
Liam drives the truck with purpose, making it look like he’s just leaving from his delivery. When we get to the gate, the guard stops us.Fuck, what else can go wrong tonight?
“What’s the problem?” Liam asks.
“Sorry, I can’t let you leave.”
“Why?”
“We’ve had some inmates take over Cell Block B. The prison is on lockdown.”
“Oh shite, man, I’m already working OT, can’t you let me go? I wasn’t even near Cell Block B.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t,” he replies. “Warden’s orders.”
This can’t be happening. Not only do I have a flight to catch, but Rebel is losing blood by the minute.I look around to see if any other guards are around. It appears that the upper towers are unmanned; I assume everyone was called to the cell block in question. Slowly, I reach down along my pant leg and pulled out my Glock. I cock it and aim it directly at the prison guard. Liam sits as far back as he can to ensure he’s not in my line of fire. I say, “The way I see it, buddy, you have two choices. You either open this gate and live, or we kill you and bust our way through. It’s your choice.”
His fingers slowly inch toward his gun. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You keep your hands where I can see them.”
He stops moving and just stands there staring at me. I ask, “What’s it gonna be?”
He holds up his hand and slowly moves it to a button on his counter and pushes it. The gate proceeds to open. But as it’s opening, the alarm from the gatehouse begins to sound.That fucker! I’d fully intended to let him live, but now he leaves me no choice. We have to go!I fire one bullet dead center through his forehead. He falls to the ground.
I turn toward Liam and yell, “GO!” Liam floors the gas. As he drives out through the gate, I pull another grenade out of my pocket, pull the pin, and release it behind us toward the guard house.That should delay them a bit.
Liam drives as fast as this truck can go. I keep looking behind us from the side mirror. I know they’ll be coming after us soon. After driving for about ten minutes, Liam turns down a deserted road. I think suspiciously,This isn’t the way we came.We drive for several minutes and then come to a dead end. Parked at the end of the road is a black van.What the hell? Did this guy double-cross us?
Liam parks the truck and says, “Let’s go. We can move faster in that van. They’ll be looking for the truck.”
I smile to myself and think,Well played. Hell, I didn’t even think about getting away in this truck. But this is my first jailbreak.We get out of the truck and head straight for the back. Everyone is gathered around Rebel and for a brief moment, I’m afraid to ask how he is. I can’t lose my brother. We’ve been through too much together to lose everything now. “How is he?” I ask Doc.
“Stable. He’s lost some blood, but I don’t think any major organs were hit.”
“Ok. We need to go. Can you guys get him out?”
“Yeah.” Doc and Ryder get up and slide Rebel to the edge of the truck. Doc jumps down and starts to pull him off the truck. I grab his feet as they are about to fall from the back of the truck and we carry him over to the van. Liam runs ahead and opens the back of the van and we slide him through. I go back to my aunt and uncle and usher them over to the van.
“Leave the guns,” I say. “I’ve got my semi-a. You guys covered?” I ask Doc and Ryder.
“Yep, we’re good.”
We throw our rifles in the truck and run over to the van. Aillise and Conner are already inside. I can tell that Aillise wants to talk to me, but I don’t have time. There’s too much at stake right now and the “get to know you” time will have to wait. We get in and Liam fires up the engine. I look down at my watch: 11:15 pm.Fuck! We’re gonna miss that flight, I just know it.
