Chapter Thirteen

Starting up the truck, it was unfortunately loud, because it had a large engine in it. If they had to run, it would be a good vehicle to have. They pulled out of the high school parking lot and onto Sunset Avenue.

The tension was thick in the truck. Occasional gunshots or explosions made everyone jump, except Alex who was strapped down. He began sweating, and his eyes glazed over, twitching from side to side. He started panting and struggling against his bonds.

"Calm down, Alex," Shannon whispered to him, "you're safe."

"No," he breathed, "they're in trouble. We were ambushed."

"No Alex, that was a long time ago."

"I'm too late. They're all dead." tears began to streak from his eyes as he squeezed them shut.

"Which way?" Tony asked, coming up to a stoplight.

"West," Alex shouted blindly, "the only way out is west."

"West it is," he said, turning that direction.

"They're coming from the east. We have to go west."

They were all looking over their shoulders towards the east, waiting for the invaders to come up on them, but the way remained blissfully clear. For the moment, at least.

"We've got to go," he yelled again, struggling to get free.

"Alex, stop. You're going to make it worse."

Tony was driving as carefully as he could, which was only moderately careful considering he was pushing the truck to almost 60 mph on city streets. There were only two corners to take on the way to the hospital, and they had nice wide roads all the way there.