This World is Outrageous { BOOK 2 }

Chapter 28--Bay

Chapter 28

Bay

A set of large hands rests upon my shoulders.

I can't move. I can't think. I can't breathe. All I can do is count. I can't even answer his question. Especially now that he has laid his hands on me and awaits my next move. He waits for me to turn around and face him. He is waiting for me to hand myself in. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

I manage to control my breathing and suppress my trembling, searching for the words to say. Nothing pulls at my tongue. There's nothing for me to say, not when he already knows the answer.

What is this feeling in my stomach? The constant tugging, the flips of my heart in my chest? I know instantly—it's a feeling I know all too well. A feeling I completely despise because it shows my vulnerability.

It's fear. I'm afraid.

"I'll ask you again," The Warrior's voice is firm, intimidating, "is there a reason you are avoiding looking at me?"

"No," I croak.

"Then I suggest you turn around."

My breathing comes out shaky, shaking my head left and right.

"No?" It growls.

"May I finish my task at hand, sir? I only get paid when working. If I stop working mid-shift I lose money."

"Exitium cares not about money, young lady. Maybe you should try doing what your country does."

"I will as soon as I can pay the bills, sir."

He releases my shoulders. "You have two minutes. I will be back."

Mercy? That's new. I look over to Casper and he gives me the nod of affirmation.

It's time to go.

I look over my shoulder and see the Warriors huddle into one area across the restaurant. The Jotunn that guards Ridge walks away for a brief second, joining the huddle. Ridge stares at me and I pass a nod his way. He backs out the door, out of sight and around the corner.

Casper comes behind me and nudges me into a walk. We are careful to not move too fast, trying our best to not alert the Jotunn that two of the diner's "employees" are leaving.

My feet cross the threshold of the door right as shouts erupt behind us. I scream, startled by the sudden noise. Casper shoves me and I know that's my cue to start running. I take off towards the car where Ridge slides into the backseat.

"Casper!" I shout back at him. "Hotwire?"

"All I have to do is reconnect them and we are in the clear!"

"How long is that going to take?"

"Five seconds!"

"Then hurry your ass up!"

I run up to the car and jerk the handle. The door flies open and I slide in right as the gunshots begin. My eyes widen, ducking my head as the glass shatters. The glass dusts my hair and hands with glass shards. I groan in frustration, feeling my hands bleed.

The driver-side door opens and Casper lunges in, shuts the door and connects the wires as fast as he can. Lucky for us he knows how to hot-wire a car because we couldn't find the keys to this piece of crap car.

The car purrs to life, sputtering a few times before Casper throws it in reverse, slamming his foot on the gas. Right as the car moves the door to my side is jerked off its hinges, Warriors standing at the ready beside it. I scream as they go to fire but the car pulls away so they fire at an empty space.

"Are you okay?" Casper shouts above the roaring wind, the car now in drive.

"Ridge give me your gun!" I scream, not answering Casper for the time being.

He throws it to me.

I lean out the door, leaving my seat belt unbuckled in order to get a better shot. I fire shots rapidly and two Jotunn fall dead. The Warriors fire back before we are out of range. I lean back into the car, giving Ridge his gun back.

"Who turned us in?" Casper asks.

"K.K didn't know. She told me she asked the others not to turn us in but then they saw our images on TV and did exactly that," I rub my bleeding hands, brows furrowed as I study my scarred palms.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, the window glass just cut my hands," I shrug, the wind whipping my hair around.

I take the black apron off, untying it from the back and slipping it over my head. I toss it carelessly out of the car. I sit back and lean my head against the cloth seat, trying to get my heart rate back to normal.

"I can drive," I murmur.

"After what happened in West Virginia? I don't think so." Casper grunts.

"Come on, it wasn't that bad."

He laughs, "It was pretty bad, Bay."

I reach across the center console and shove him.

He chuckles and shakes his head.

"I've been out for a week now, it's midnight. I am wide awake where you're probably exhausted. The least I can do is drive so you can rest."

He sighs, pulling the car onto the side of the road. "Fine, but if anything goes awry you wake me up."

"Okay—"

"I'm not done talking yet," He scrunches up his nose and purses his lips in a playful manner.

"Well sorry." I say sarcastically. I'm not sorry.

"And by waking me up," he continues, "I don't mean drive the car through fire. I mean actually leaning over and waking me before the current situation wakes me."

I chuckle and kiss his cheek, unbuckling and stepping out to switch sides with him. "Yeah, yeah."

"I'm not convinced, Zachary!" he smirks.

I lean my head back in the car and smirk. "Sir, yes sir!"

Casper glances at me and opens his mouth before a screeching of tires greet our ears. I look over my shoulder as Ridge also looks over his. Behind us comes a white, armored car, smashing through fences as if they're mere obstacles. My eyes widen, turning to Casper.

"Oh, so they have vehicles, now?" I scream.

We all take a look over our shoulders, various curse words leaving my own lips as I spot not one, not two, but three cars.

"You're going to want to hang onto something." Casper says, "this ride is about to get bumpy."