CHAPTER 141
"Fire in the hole!" an unfamiliar voice shouted.
Beyond the growling muzzle of a velociraptor hanging over his head Hector saw a red square object with a flaming tail hurl into the sky. This odd looking comet-like shape was in fact a gas can with a burning rag shoved down its spout. A shotgun blast following the shouting voice tore into the can yielding a violent ball of fire that splashed over the motor pool as the receptacle burst.
Recoiling from the explosion the raptor leapt away from Hector and he used the split second opportunity to roll beneath the nearest vehicle. Bright flames spread across the ground and rushed past his face. As the heat scorched his brows he turned away and shifted his body to the other side of the car. While the flames burned off Hector heard gunfire and shouting. People were running. A set of four tires rushed in front of his face and slammed to a stop. Boots struck the dirt. When Hector leaned out from under the vehicle he found himself looking up at a man named Marcus Stout, Site-B's resident mechanic. The confusion on Hector's face came from him wondering where the hell this guy had come from, and where the hell had he been this whole time.
With an outstretched hand Marcus said, "come on, buddy. If you don't wanna be supper you better haul ass."
Hector took his hand and was pulled to his feet. He looked around. Another man was running toward them. He had Kyra in his arms. It looked like her shoulder had been burned.
"Hey, get in the jeep." Marcus shoved Hector.
Hector hopped in the back and helped the other man get Kyra in next to him. He recognized him as well. The wiry, tobacco chewing, kid in the greasy teeshirt and Dickies trousers was Logan, the mechanic's assistant.
As Logan was calling shotgun Dianna ran up to the jeep carrying Shelly. Most of her long hair had been unevenly singed from her head, but otherwise she appeared to be ok. Unloading Shelly into Hector's lap she leaned over to Kyra and asked in a gentle but urgent voice, "where's Seth?"
Kyra seemed disoriented.
Dianna placed a hand on her cheek, guiding her face to look directly at her. "Kyra, honey, where is Seth? Where are the others?"
Kyra's eyes rolled toward the back of the motor pool and she pointed. "He's in the garage."
Dianna turned and yelled, "Bryce, the garage!" She started running back toward him and shouted over her shoulder, "Marcus, get them in the bunker now!" Behind her the loaded jeep sped off.
Dr. Conners was already behind the wheel of the pickup truck they had just removed Shelly from. When Dianna flung herself into the passenger seat he side glanced at her and said, "nice hair dew."
"Shut up and drive."
"He's gonna be alright, Dianna. Seth is gonna be ok."
"Just step on it, Bryce."
Dr. Conners threw the jeep in gear and peeled out toward the garage.