Chapter Two

It was still a long five-hundred meters before they emerged on the asphalt road, but because of the bullets hitting the back of the car, Keyller felt that the car was about to give up. Montague was still driving the car faster, but to avoid the bullets, he drove it like they were on a zigzag road. Despite the bumpy driving, Montague didn’t falter and continued traveling faster and faster, but because there were two cars sandwiching them, a bullet pierced through. The crashing sound of bullets hitting the back of the car penetrated his ear and made him twist his face in annoyance and fear.

“Are you sure we can escape from this? The car is about to give up!” Keyller reminded his butler. He was now cowering in fear as the pursuers continued gunning them.

Keyller saw Montague gripping the stirring wheel tightly and gritting his teeth before answering. “We are a few miles away from the port. We can reach there by sunset if we can shake these assholes.”

“The port? Why are we going there? Where are we heading? Are we traveling by sea? You know that I can’t!” he asked consecutively and stupefied. His hand that was holding the sword trembled. His deep brown eyes were riddled with fear and anxiousness.

Keyller can’t blame himself. The incident in the palace was connected to the sea, and he was traumatized by that. It's only been a week. The painful memories are still fresh. Every time he saw the ocean he was attacked by an irrational fear. He felt sick.

“I can’t go there, Montague!” He lowered his head when another bullet hit their car.

Montague glanced at him before concentrating his eyes on the road. There was fondness in his eyes but he didn’t back down against his pleas. “That’s our only escape, young master. Rest assured that nothing will happen to you as long as I am with you.”

Keyller fell silent. He could only grip the sword tighter while constantly glancing at the side-view mirror, watching the approaching vehicle as its passenger was readying to shoot. Their pursuers were not afraid even if they were on the main road and even the motorists were packed. The important thing for them was to get rid of Keyller and Montague.

“We’re heading to Italy,” Montague said after a while of deathly silence between them. “We will recuperate there and think of a plan to get your palace back. I have my men ready for our accommodation when we arrive.”

Before Keyller could answer, a sound from the sky as loud as rumbling thunder evaded his ears. His face paled even and looked panicky toward his butler.

“Montague, they have an aerial attack!” He was in an anxious state.

Keyller’s words were followed by the loud rattling from the machine gun inside the helicopter that was hovering above them. No. The nose of the helicopter was pointing toward them.

Keyller trembled in fear as the bullets rained on them from the front and behind. He is terrified. He is not used to this kind of situation.

“Duck down, young master!” Montague shouted as the car swayed left and right to avoid the incoming bullets.

When Keyller turned towards the driver’s seat he was welcomed by the sight of Montague’s left shoulder bleeding. “Montague, you’re hit!” he called worriedly. He was growing more afraid. What if he also lost his butler? What could he do by himself?

Keyller tried to stop the bleeding from Montague’s shoulder, but the latter shook him off. Montague looked towards him with a smirk and continued stepping on the gas pedal. They were traveling even faster. The two cars behind them were already shooting them ages ago. Their car was rattled by bullets and like potholes, but Montague was such an expert at driving that the enemy didn’t even hit a single bullet in their tire.

“Don’t mind me, young master. Protect yourself. I will get you away from here safe and sound.” Montague raised his injured arm to pet his head as his right was on the steering wheel before lightly lowering it to make him duck under to take cover.

Before Keyller could hide, a stray bullet hit the windshield and grazed his shoulder. His reflexes were fast and the bullet didn’t pierce his skin or else he could prepare himself and meet his parents. But it was still bleeding and he could feel the stinging pain. Keyller used his free hand to put pressure on his wound to stop the bleeding. He settled his sword on his lap. The first time that his hand let go of it since a week ago.

Montague shot him a look, and Keyller could see the anger flashing in his eyes. He gritted his teeth but continued driving.

“Stay down, young master!” Montague swerved the car at one-hundred and eighty degrees before stepping hard on the accelerator and driving the car forward out of the gravel. They finally reached the main highway, but the car behind and the helicopter above still pursued them. Not exactly what they thought. They were both wrong.

Their enemy continued on their hot pursuit and Keyller could already feel the dizziness because of Montague’s driving pattern. He feels like they are inside the chicken’s intestines. He could feel the bullet vibrating every time it hit the car, and his heart beat faster and faster. He didn’t want to die. Just as when he felt the smooth asphalt road, he could sense Montague’s panic. Keyller anxiously crawled back to his seat only to see an incoming RPG. His eyes widened in a mixture of surprise and fear. His heart was palpitating quicker than ever.

“Montague!”

The car abruptly stopped. The screeching sound echoed throughout the road; luckily, they were still far ahead of the pursuing vehicles, so that didn’t create an accident.

Montague quickly pulled his reverie back and started the car again, driving it like crazy. The RPG was only five meters away from them and was not guided, so Montague turned the wheel, and the car swerved to the side. They avoided the incoming RPG but not the vehicle pursuing from behind. A man was standing outside the window where a propelled grenade launcher was resting on his shoulder. It was aiming at them while the other car was already alighted beside their vehicle. The helicopter above was also preparing for another grenade attack.

Keyller could only shiver in fear as he gripped his sword tightly as if getting strength from it. His heart didn't stop beating faster. This is their end. Do they have a way to escape?

Keyller's eyes were full of doubt while looking at his butler, who was now pale because of blood loss. And he highly respects him. Montague kept on driving with full concentration even when he was hit.

“Montague. . .” Keyller’s vision became blurred as his eyes became watery.

Montague stared at him sharply. “Stay calm, young master. I would not allow these lowly pests to succeed.”

Until an unexpected thing happens.

After Montague's speech, they heard a loud explosion followed by the rattling of bullets. When Keyller looked to find what it was he was shocked. His mouth was agape. The helicopter that was attacking them turned to smithereens and the car driving beside them came crashing and overturned on the other lane, affecting the other commuters.

The traffic gets heavy because of the commotion and Montague has no choice but to stop the car because their car switched lanes. It was a mess and travelers got annoyed by blasting their honks and creating a loud noise.

“Who are they? Are they on our side?” Keyller asked. He was not sure of those people who helped them.

Montague moved his head away from the road and looked at him meaningfully. There was a slight smile painted across his face. But before he could answer, another stray bullet hit him. This time, it penetrated beyond his heart. Keyller flinched as pain struck him. Blood oozed from his wound and he paled. Blood again. He had enough of this. His vision started to darken and his breath became ragged. His life was hanging by a thread.

“Young master!” Montague shouted, but Keyller’s mind drifted somewhere as all he could see was black!