Author note:
Hello, everyone. First of all, sorry it took me a while to post the chapter.
English is not my first language, so be easy on me. Thank you all for your support. All feedback are appreciated.
Have a nice day.
"Where are we?" Steve asked, looking around for the first time.
"It's our family cabin," Ethan answered.
Steve nodded very slightly, careful not aggravate his headache. "We can't stay here. Sooner or later, those guys are gonna find us here. We need to get help."
The three teenagers looked at each other.
"I'm sorry," Mathew hesitated a little before he continued. "Are you sure those guys gonna find us here? I mean, the cabin is quite away from the main trekking area. You think they can track you to here?"
Steve pushed himself up, slightly balancing himself by holding the headboard. "Those are not ordinary guys, they are members of a drug cartel. Trust me, by now, they would have even know about you guys."
"W-What?" Mathew stammered. "But how?"
"By the footprints you guys left when you carried me back to the cabin."
Colour drained out from the teenager's face. Steve didn't want to sugarcoat the situation. He wanted them to understand what they were facing. "It's okay to be scared but trust me, I will not let anything happen to you all but I need you to do exactly as what I'm telling you. Okay? Okay."
Chris was first to sober from the statement. He nodded. "Okay, what do we do now?"
"I need you all to grab some things before we leave, first change your t-shirts into dark colors, we don't want to grab attention with bright colors, take some water for you guys, your phones, anything that you find to defend yourself." The teenagers jumped into action the moment Steve gave the instruction. Steve tugged the makeshift sling and freed his arm. Steve groaned as the newly freed arm spiked the level of pain around his gunshot wound.
Steve cradled his arm and was about to get a grip of himself when Ethan came barging into the small room that he had just left. "Commander, we got a problem." The boy whispered, a sense of panic was evident in his voice. "I think someone is outside."
-H50-H50-H50-
Danny was strapping himself with everything he need in full speed when Duke approached him.
"Danny, we got some other information."
"What is it?" Danny asked, without even looking at Duke.
"HPD officers rounding up the area from the other side found an SUV parked at the beginning of trekking trail. We called up the owner and found his son and two of his friends are camping for the weekend. They have a cabin inside."
Danny nodded. "Advise the search groups that we have civilians on the ground. Wait, hold on a sec." Danny said as he took out his buzzing phone. "Lou, you're on speaker with Duke."
"Listen, apparently Steve got called to the DA's office today."
"On a Saturday?" Danny raised his eyebrows as he dug his memory. Steve didn't tell him anything about going to the DA's office.
"Yes, he was called in after the Governor called the DA officer and checked on the preparation to persecute Zetas Cartel on Monday."
"And?"
"I spoke to the DA officer. Apparently, Steve and he spend the day reviewing the evidence and making sure everything was on point for Monday. Steve was the first to leave the office."
"Wait, don't tell me…"
"Yes, Danny. It's Zetas Cartel that is after Steve."
"Dammit." Danny hissed. "Are we sure about this?"
"We got their cocaine and their boss's favorite right man locked up from the drug bust, so you do the math. Besides, I'm looking at the DA's office parking lot CCTV footage as we speak. Steve was on the phone when he was walking to the truck. I think he missed the two suburban waiting for him. Also, Tani just called, the blood you guys found? The lab ran it and trace it back to member of the cartel."
Danny shook his head as realization hit him hard. They are after Steve for a payback. "Thanks, Lou, I'm gonna go in and bring my boy back home. Keep me updated." Danny ended the call without waiting for any reply.
"Duke, gather the officers around. We got to speed things up."
Negative thoughts started to spread through his mind, clouding his thoughts and bringing him to the conclusion he never wanted to make.
Steve, I'm coming for you. Hang on, brother. Danny prayed.
"Danny, we are ready for you." Duke's voice guided him back to reality.
Danny breathed in. It's time for confidence, time to fight for Steve.
-H50-H50-H50-
Steve stood by the window and sneak a quick look outside. He pressed his finger on his lips, signaling the boys to be silent.
The boys stood close to each other, following Steve's order, not knowing what was happening.
Suddenly, Steve took a couple of strides at once and reached the boys in full speed. He pushed them inside the small room. "Don't matter what you hear, do not make any noise. I will be back." Steve whispered and left the room in a hurry.
Steve tiptoed back to the main door and stood on the left side of the door. The voices were getting louder. Time seemed to stop as his eyes were glued on the door.
'Any minute now.'
His mind voice reminded him. A few seconds later, harsh kicks were landing on the door, forcing it open from the outside. Steve waited and gripped the knife he was holding harder.
The door burst open, forcing Steve to be highly attentive.
Two men stepped in with their rifle gun trained up to the front. Steve waited one moment to analyze the situation. Both had their back to Steve, giving Steve a perfect opportunity to strike. Sneaking towards them, Steve stabbed the man to his left on his back, paralyzing him and instantly forcing him on his knees. The other man to Steve's right jumped but before he could react, Steve brought his right arm around the man's neck, applying pressure to the man's carotid, choking him.
Three, two, one…
Steve let loose of the man he was holding and the unconscious body fell. The one stabbed dropped on the floor as well. He was barely conscious, Steve knew it was a matter of time before he bleeds to death.
Steve stumbled. His injuries were slowing him down, but the adrenaline rush was keeping him occupied. He knelt and checked one of the men. Steve couldn't help but to let out a hiss of pain as he hung the rifle gun over his shoulder. He mentally thanked God when he found a satellite phone.
Forcing the phone into his pocket, Steve looked up and saw three pairs of wide, panic filled eyes staring back at him. "Like I said we can't stay," Steve said as he somehow pulled himself up. He tapped on Chris's shoulder before he walked to the back door. "We need to leave."
The boys looked at the lifeless bodies on the floor and could feel fear running down their spine. They stood there, stuck in the moment.
"Come on!" Steve's voice pulled them out of their thoughts and all three hurried behind Steve. If they survive the night, they will have a nail-biting, thriller story to tell their family and friends.
Well, if they survive…
Tell me what you think.
Stay tuned for more. Thank you for your time and support.