Page 18 of Hollow Code
Not a good sign, because that meant Praline probably knew this was all for show. But what difference did it make?
Gideon took Zadie’s hand and they hurried through the narrow hall past the restrooms. He pushed open the swinging door to the kitchen with his foot.
"What the hell?" The cook glanced up from behind the grill. "You can’t be back here."
"We’re not staying." Gideon shoved open the back door with his shoulder.
The cool Canadian air spread against her skin as she took off running, weapon in hand, Gideon right next to her.
"There they are," a man shouted.
Gideon grabbed her arm and hurled her toward the dumpster.
The first shot pinged against the metal.
"You okay?" Gideon set his back against the structure, pistol in hand.
She nodded, pulling the keys from her pocket. "I’ll cover you. Get to the side by side. I’ll be right behind you."
He didn’t say a word. Just snagged the keys and took off.
A second shot chewed into the dirt near his feet.
Zadie peeked out from behind the dumpster and fired at one of the men barreling toward them. Got his firing arm, but all that did was make him drop his weapon. He barely let out a grunt.
Enhanced. Always fucking enhanced.
The second man ducked behind a tree.
She fired another two shots then took off running, legs pumping, boots slipping on the wet ground.
Another round snapped through the branches above her head. She ducked and fired once more over her shoulder.
"Hurry." Gideon fired up the SxS before turning and pointing his handgun at the men. He let loose with four quick rounds.
She hopped into the passenger seat. "Do you know how to drive?—"
"Of course."
The SxS lurched forward as more bullets flew by. One hit the side of the vehicle. She turned, fired a few rounds, reached under the seat, and snagged the rifle.
"What the hell are those men on?" Gideon swiveled left. Right. He punched the gas, and the SxS nearly took flight as it crested a hill. "They’re running faster than humanly possible."
"Long story." She raised her rifle and took aim at one of the men’s chests. Head would’ve been better, but the torso was a bigger target. The bullet tore through the upper left side, closer to his shoulder than center. He dropped to his knees. He wasn’t dead, but he wasn’t moving.
She fired again, aiming for the second one. Same thing.
It would at least slow them down.
Scanning the area, she searched for the other two men who’d gotten out of the truck. Nothing. They hadn’t come out the back with these two assholes. However, she knew they were here somewhere, waiting to make a move.
Turning, she clutched the rifle to her chest and blew out a puff of air.
Gideon drove for another five minutes. No words. No sound except the whine of the motor and the crack of branches under the tires. Every couple of seconds, she did a three-sixty scan. Still no sign of anyone.
Gideon twisted in the seat, glancing all around.
"One of those men," he said. "He used to work under me at Hyperion."
