Though they had only reached halfway, Michael was forced to slam on the brakes. A massive boulder now blocked the only route down the mountain, an obstacle that hadnât been there before. Before Michael and Adrian could even process the situation, the car trailing them had caught up.
Michael clenched the steering wheel and exchanged a meaningful look with Adrian. In those fleeting moments, they formed a plan. The car swerved towards the adjacent woods, jolting violently as it made its way down to the lower mountain road. The tires screeched, leaving marks on the asphalt. The windshield cracked, and both Michael and Adrian felt they had just dodged death.
Michael said, âBro, Lacey and I will owe you for a lifetime.â
âNo time to waste; we need to reach the airport now.â They continued down the mountain in their damaged car as a heavy downpour started. The ineffective windshield wipers forced them to decrease their speed.
Halfway through, their path was blocked by a line of barriers. With no choice, Michael hit the brakes again, and a white car halted before them. Amid the rain, a stout man with gold-ringed fingers stepped out, wielding a golf club.
Trapped, Adrian and Michael unbuckled their seatbelts and surveyed their surroundings cautiously. Soon, a violent clash broke out between the two parties. In the rain, the manâs thick fingers clenched Michaelâs hair, slamming his head against the car hood.
âYou want to save someone, and I need to save my daughter! I have no choice!â Michael, incensed, grabbed a handful of broken glass and hurled it at the manâs face. The man released him, enraged. âDamn it! Get him!â
Glass fragments covered Michaelâs face, but he shrugged off the discomfort and staggered towards Adrian. Adrian, holding the medical equipment crucial for a heart transplant, was overwhelmed and couldnât defend himself. Michael fought his way through the assailants to reach Adrian. As they attempted to flee, the manâs henchmen caught up with them.
During a critical moment, Adrian thrust the medical equipment into Michaelâs hands. âRun! Get to the airport, and youâll be safe!â
âAdrian!â
âWhy are you hesitating? Donât you need to save Lacey?â Every second Michael delayed worsened their predicament. He gave Adrian a profound look. âAdrian, Iâll find help for you!â Left to face the aggressors alone, Adrian stood drenched, his wet hair clinging to his forehead, his expression determined and fierce.
Although Adrian had bought Michael some time, his outnumbered strikes grew weaker. The man approached, dragging his golf club along.
âAdrian!â
As he felt his consciousness slipping, Adrian thought he heard Michaelâs voice once more. Yet, he no longer had the strength to confirm if it was Michael. The golf club swung down; Adrian managed a partial dodge, but it still landed a heavy blow on his shoulder. Grimacing in pain, Adrian knelt as the man delivered several kicks to his chest.
âMove aside!â
âBoss! Look!â
The heavy rain obscured the manâs vision. Squinting, he barely discerned a large group dressed in black converging on them. Michael had run into the Ricard family en route, and learning that Joelle had sent them, he brought them to Adrianâs aid.
âBoss, what now? Weâre outnumbered!â
The man clenched the golf club. âWe need to retrieve that heart, even at the cost of our lives! I want that heart at any cost! By any means necessary!â
Suddenly, the empty road resounded with the battle cries of hundreds of men. Adrian, who had passed out from the pain, was supported by Michael. Michael clutched the medical equipment in one hand while propping up Adrian with the other. The chaos around them faded from Michaelâs focus; his only thought was that Lacey could still be saved.
âAdrian, weâre going back to Illerith now!â Upon arriving at the airport, the medical team Rafael had arranged was ready and waiting. They inspected the heart and employed more sophisticated techniques for its safe long-distance transport. As they stepped off the plane, Michael and Adrian paused to look up at the clear blue sky.
The tranquility was abruptly broken by the sound of a gunshot. A bullet struck Michael in the right chest. His eyes widened as he uttered his final words to Adrian. âSave Lacey⦠Adrian, pleaseâ¦â
The medical team, taken aback, moved Michael out of the sniperâs line of sight for emergency care. Over the quiet tarmac, a loudspeaker blared a menacing message. âIf you want to survive, hand over what I demand! Otherwise, I will shoot someone every half hour! I donât care about involving the police; if my daughter cannot live, neither will any of you!â The aircraft held 184 passengers, whose voices filled the air with panic. The plane seemed an isolated island in an immense sea, completely cut off from assistance.
One of the medical staff attempted to reason, saying, âMr. Miller, please think of everyoneâs safety here.â Bang! The moment the plea was made, another gunshot echoed. The medical staff member was knocked off their feet by the shot, which came from a new direction, indicating multiple snipers.
The voice over the loudspeaker said fiercely, âAnyone who speaks up will meet their fate sooner!â
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