"The information you are seeking is not within your grasp of understanding." Explained Seth in a somewhat patronising fashion.
We are dealing with issues outside the realm of... your world." Continued Sara.
"Hey I'm a cab driver okay? I've had plenty of worldly experien..." Jack was cut off mid-way through his return by the terrifying sight of a large black flying saucer approaching, surrounded by a ring of lights.
"Sara! We have to go!" Pleaded Seth.
"What the frick is that?" Exclaimed Mike, who was under the impression it would be the last thing he ever saw.
The cab lurched forward, startling Jack and forcing him to cling onto the steering wheel for dear life.
Mike heard a whispered conversation taking place next to him, but couldn't make out the words over the noise of the engine and the noise of the… Thing… In the sky above them.
Jack spoke quietly. "Just tell us what that thing is. I want real answers."
"It's a Siphon." Answered Sara. "An assassin trained to pursue his
target until his mission is completed." Continued Seth.
"And his mission is?" Asked Mike, his voice low.
"Us." Completed Sara, sounding absolutely terrified.
Oh dear.
Right on cue, the Siphon open fire on the taxi, the blasts rocking it from side to side. A particularly near miss caused Jack to lose control of the cab, and they span onto some nearby railway tracks. Jack jammed the throttle as wide as it would go and they shot into a tunnel, effectively preventing the Siphon from pursuing them.
Jack killed the lights and switched off the engine. The Siphon was out there, searching for them. It paused, hovering over the tunnel mouth. A strange blue light shone out of the base of the craft, like a searchlight. Mike crossed his fingers and vowed not to eat so many Haribos if they got out of this alive. He looked across at the siblings. Sara was stock still in her seat, eyes wide open and biting her lower lip. Seth however maintained the same, cold expression as usual but his jaw was tight and his fists balled.
After what seemed like an eternity, the blue light vanished and the Siphon shot off into the night. It seemed like the sighs of relief could have been audible in Australia.
Jack started the engine, switched the lights back on and they exited the tunnel, driving slowly as on their right was a cliff.
"Is there a safer route, Jack Bruno?" Inquired Sara.
"Not unless you know how to fly." Came the reply.
Apparently the Siphon did, as his ship popped out from behind a cloud and zoomed towards the cab.
"Oh, great!" Muttered Mike sarcastically.
You jinx.
"Jack Bruno!" Screamed Sara.
"Come on come on, hold it together!" Jack murmured at his badly damaged cab, desperately hoping his willpower was enough to keep the engine from packing up.
They shot into a tunnel, a much larger one this time, and the Siphon continued to chase as a train's horn sounded in the distance.
"Oh come on…" Grunted Jack in disgust.
"Faster, faster!" Seth yelled.
"It won't go any faster!" The driver was panicking now.
"Sara! Now!" Called Seth and, somehow, the taxi found some more power. The speedometer staggered forwards. They could see the train's lights now, getting ever closer as they raced towards certain death.
"Hold on!"
"Watch out!"
"AAAAAAAAARGH!"
They slipped out of the tunnel with millimeters to spare, as the train roared past them into the tunnel. The Siphon had no such luck however, and the ship smashed into the meaty freight train. The explosion threw the wagons into the air, and they came smashing down around the cab. Jack crunched the gears and somehow squeezed underneath a falling carriage and careered past a level crossing and onto the road.
"Phew… That was a close one". It was the driver who spoke. Nobody could find the breath to reply and they drove on, into the night.