Jackson threw the chair through the window. The high-pitched, blaring alarm sounded. The floor vibrated as Lou raced out of his room. Lily didn’t move. She stayed rooted in the spot, staring at me.
“Come!” I yelled over the alarm an extended my hand.
Lily looked at my fingers and then into my eyes. She wrapped her arms around herself and shook her head.
“Lily!” I cried.
Jackson took my hand. “We don’t have time.” He pulled me forward. “She made her choice.” He used his elbow to clear away the shards of broken glass that clung to the window frame. He ducked through, jumping down onto the deck, and held his arms out for me.
“I’ll send help!” I promised Lily.
Rochelle banged on the basement door, screaming for Lily to open it. I took Jackson’s hands and climbed out the window. We sprinted around the house to the driveway. I fumbled with the keys and screamed in frustration when they fell from my shaking hands. I dropped to my knees and scooped them up.
I unlocked the Blazer and climbed inside. Jackson slid into the passenger seat. “Go!” he shouted, turning around to look at the house. I couldn’t steady my hands enough to get the keys in the ignition. Jackson reached over and wrapped his fingers around my hand, steadying me. Together, we started the SUV. I threw it in reverse and stomped on the gas. The Blazer jolted back. It was still moving when I shoved the gear into drive.
The engine revved and we peeled down the driveway. I didn’t even think about a destination. I yanked the wheel and sped down the street.
“He’s following us,” Jackson told me. His voice was tight with fear. We had only been driving for a few minutes.
“Who?”
“Zane or Lou. I don’t know, maybe both. Step on it, Addie. Their car is faster.”
I pushed the pedal down as far as it could go. The Blazer lurched forward, engine squealing. “Which way?”
“Straight. I’ll tell you when to turn.” I gripped the steering wheel and turned around. The SUV swerved. “Put your seat belt on,” Jackson told me and clicked his into place. I reached over and pulled it halfway across my body. Jackson took it from me, knowing my shaky hands weren’t functioning very well. It was taking all I had to keep the car on the road.
A gunshot echoed across the dark field from down the road. I screamed. Headlights grew brighter and brighter behind us. Jackson put his hand on my seat and twisted, watching the Camaro gaining on us. I stepped harder on the gas, pushing the old SUV past its limit. The entire thing started to shake as we took on more speed than it could handle.
“There’s a turn up ahead,” Jackson told me. “Go to the right!”
I let off the gas, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar road. I almost missed the green and white sign. Light bounced off the reflective numbers, and I slammed on the brakes. The SUV shuddered, but made the turn. I pressed the pedal down again, and the engine groaned in protest. My eyes flicked to the gauges; the engine was threatening to overheat. I couldn’t let up. We barreled down the road. I wasn’t aware that I had been holding my breath until my lungs begged for air. I opened my mouth and inhaled.#p#分页标题#e#
“They missed the turn,” Jackson said. I risked a glance in the rearview mirror and saw the Camaro back up and whirl around before accelerating down the road. It bought us some much-needed time.
“They’re going to catch up!” I cried. My fingers were going numb from grasping the steering wheel so hard. Jackson didn’t respond. He knew I was right. “Should we get out and run?”
“No,” he finally said. “There is a state road just ahead. You can’t see it past the trees.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It’s busy. Zane might not—” he cut off when a bullet hit the back window, shattering the glass. I screamed again, and the SUV dangerously swerved to the right. The tires caught on the rough side of the road. I yanked the wheel, over correcting and almost tipping the SUV over.
“Are you okay?” Jackson rushed out.
“I think so. You?”
“Yeah.” He turned around. “Fuck.” I looked at him, fear closing around my heart. “Eyes on the road, Addie!”
I shook myself and watched the dark street disappear. Rapid gunfire rang out. The gas pedal was against the floor. The old Blazer would not go any faster, and the Camaro was just yards behind us. My chest felt too small for my racing heart.
Streaks of yellow light flickered through the trees ahead. Hope painfully flowed through me, prickling my skin. I stomped my foot down fully knowing it would do no good. I wanted to reach the busy road so bad it hurt. My breath came out in huffs. I clenched my jaw and leaned forward.