Into the Fire

The city blurred around them as Luca, Rayna, Vaughn, and Julian sprinted through the darkened streets, weaving through alleyways and abandoned buildings. The firefight had drawn too much attention. They had minutes—maybe less—before reinforcements arrived.

Rayna's breath was ragged, but she kept moving. She couldn't let herself think about what would happen if they got caught. Not now.

"This way!" Julian called, leading them toward a side street.

Luca glanced back. Shadows moved in the smoke behind them—chasing them. He clenched his jaw. They weren't going to make it if they just ran.

"We need a car," Vaughn grunted, scanning the street.

"There!" Rayna pointed to an old black sedan parked beside a crumbling storefront.

Luca didn't hesitate. He rushed to the car, yanking the door handle. Locked.

Julian shoved him aside, pulling a small metal tool from his pocket. "I got this."

Seconds felt like hours as Julian worked, tension thickening with every heartbeat. The sound of boots pounding against pavement grew louder.

"They're coming," Rayna whispered, gun raised.

Vaughn turned, eyes narrowing. "Then we hold them off."

The door lock popped. Julian grinned. "We're in!"

Luca jumped into the driver's seat. "Get in, now!"

Rayna and Julian scrambled inside. Vaughn fired a few more shots before diving into the backseat.

Tires screeched as Luca floored the gas. The car lurched forward, fishtailing as bullets rained down on them. The windshield cracked, but they didn't stop.

Rayna twisted in her seat, firing through the rear window. "We need to lose them!"

Luca's hands tightened on the wheel. "Working on it."

He took a sharp turn, nearly hitting a lamppost. The city blurred past—neon signs, dark alleyways, empty streets. He could hear the roar of an engine behind them.

"They have a car," Julian muttered.

"No kidding," Vaughn snapped, reloading his gun.

Luca's mind raced. They needed an advantage. And then he saw it—a bridge up ahead, half-collapsed from an old explosion.

"Hold on," he warned.

Rayna's eyes widened. "You're not—"

Luca hit the gas. The car surged forward, straight toward the gap in the bridge.

Bullets whizzed past. The enemy's car was gaining.

"Luca!" Rayna screamed.

The front wheels hit the edge. For a split second, they were airborne—suspended over nothing but cold, empty space.

Then—impact.

The car slammed down on the other side, bouncing violently. Metal groaned, tires screeched—but they were still moving.

Behind them, the enemy's car wasn't so lucky. It hit the gap and plummeted, disappearing into the darkness below.

Silence filled the car. Then Vaughn let out a breathless chuckle. "Crazy bastard."

Luca smirked. "Told you I was done running."

Rayna shook her head, exhaling shakily. "Remind me never to let you drive again."

Julian groaned from the back. "Agreed."

Luca ignored them, eyes fixed on the road ahead.

They had escaped for now.

But the war was far from over.