Steve watched the figure at the far end of the hangar approach the back door. Something metallic flashed in the harsh lights. The window was too grimy for Steve to see clearly, but he was absolutely positive it was a gun.
He hears Shane.
That had to be it. If the man went through that door, he might catch Shane in an ambush.
I can't wait.
Kayla and Kim must be back there too. That had to be why Shane stopped. He must be trying to free them to keep the out of danger.
And if Cal goes back there, Kayla might be in the line of fire.
Angrily, Steve jerked away from the window. Kayla, Shane, and Kim could be trapped. If Cal went back there-
Stop thinking like that.
I've got to do something.
He could not wait any more. Steve had to take action. At least, he could provide a distraction and pull the man back into the front of the hangar.
Steve ran to the door and took a deep breath. With his gun in his right hand, he turned the doorknob with his left, pushed the door open, and raced into the hangar.
"You!" he shouted. "Free-"
His words cut off as he was staggered by something hard slamming into hit his chest. Like a sledgehammer. Like a stinging sledgehammer. The area around it began to twitch. He felt liquid - a hot stinging liquid - run under his skin like a burning fire. His heart began pounding so fast that he thought it would burst.
Steve tried to step, but his legs wouldn't move. His arms shuddered involuntarily. The gun dropped to the ground. His heart kept racing.
The thought What's happening? popped into his head, but he had no answer. His body began to convulse, shaking and twitching.
I'm going to die. I'm going to die and never see Kayla again.
At that thought, Steve screamed in agony.