"Go!"
The stalled truck groaned loudly as they shoved against it with everything they had left.
Rain hammered down across the ruined checkpoint while gunfire continued exploding through the industrial yard behind them. Smoke drifted around the convoy route in heavy waves, mixing with steam rising from burning vehicles and shattered machinery.
Aiden's entire body screamed in protest as he pushed harder against the truck.
It barely moved.
"Oh my God," he gasped out. "Why is this thing built like a tank?!"
"Push," Noah said sharply from the front side.
"I AM PUSHING!"
The two guards helping beside Aiden looked half-dead already, boots slipping repeatedly against the wet concrete as the damaged truck slowly rolled forward inch by inch.
Inside, terrified captives clung to whatever they could while the injured teenage boy groaned weakly in pain.
The perimeter gate stood open ahead of them.
So close.
Too close to fail now.
Gunfire erupted again behind the checkpoint barriers.
