“We’re good,” Astra says as they both give me a wave. “He’s got us pinned down though.”
“We need to get him off that perch,” Paige says.
Paige leans out and fires off a burst. Dirt and debris fly up as her rounds punch into the low wall on the roof that Townsend is hiding behind. He pops up and fires a burst back that has Paige scrambling backward as his bullets tear into the decaying asphalt with muted thumps. Before the echo of his shots even fades, though, Astra breaks from the cover of the abandoned truck and clambers to get a better angle on Townsend, but he’s quicker. He turns and fires off a few rounds that send Astra scrambling back behind the truck with Mo.
“You good, Astra?” I call in my mic.
“I’m good. But this guy is really pissing me off,” she growls.
From his vantage point, Townsend can see our positions and can keep us pinned down or take us out if we should be so bold as to break cover. He’s holding all the cards right now. And with time starting to become a factor, we need to find a way to get into that building he’s protecting so fiercely before the clock runs out and those children suffer a grisly, painful death.
“How are we going to get him off his spot?” Astra asks.
“I’m thinking,” I say.
“Not to put too much pressure on you, but think faster,” she replies. “Those kids are starting to run low on time, and we don’t know what sort of treats he’s got in store for us inside.”
“I know, I know,” I say. “Just… give me a minute.”
Astra leans out and takes a shot that rips into the low wall as Townsend ducks down. He pops back up again and returns fire. At the same time, Paige leans out from her spot and pulls the trigger, sending a burst of rounds that punch into the wall. They don’t come close to taking Townsend out—his position is too well defensed; it’s going to take dumb luck and a perfect shot for us to put a few holes into him from all the way down here. But that gives me an idea.
“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do,” I say.
“Oh good, you have a plan. About time,” Astra mocks.
“Shut it,” I reply.
“Shutting it,” Astra says. “What’s the plan?”
“Nothing glamorous or complicated,” I say. “I just need you all to alternate taking shots at Townsend. Paige, you first, then Astra and Mo. I need you to keep him busy and focused on you guys while I slip around behind the building.”
“And what are you going to do once you’re back there?” Astra asks.
“I’m going to find a way onto the roof, and I’m going to end this,” I say.
“I’m going on record now that I don’t like this plan,” Paige says.
“No. Absolutely not,” Astra replies. “We’ll find another way.”
“We don’t have time. We need to get into that building now. Those kids are running out of time.”
“We’ve got enough time left to find another way,” Astra argues.
“Stop arguing. This is what we’re doing,” I say.
“Then let me find the way up,” Astra counters.
“I said stop arguing. That’s an order,” I snap. “On the count of three, start laying down alternating cover fire. Is everybody ready?”
“Ready,” Paige says.
“Ready,” Astra adds grudgingly.
“Three… two… one,” I say.
Astra leans out and lays down a vicious burst of fire. Townsend waits for it to end, then stands and returns fire only to have to scramble when Paige rattles off a series of shots. When her fire tapers off, Townsend squeezes off a few rounds at her but is forced to duck back down again when Mo takes her turn on the trigger. As they’re going back and forth, I take my chance and slip around the building I’m sheltering behind, moving as quickly and stealthily as possible. I don’t want to tip off Townsend that I’m slipping up behind him because if he gets that sense, when I get up to that roof, I’ll find myself staring down the barrel of his AR15, and the game will be over.
As I run, I listen to the echo of the battle behind me. They’re doing a good job of keeping him busy. Too busy, hopefully, to give Townsend time to wonder why I’m not joining in the fun and squeezing off potshots at him. I’m able to circle around behind the building he’s on and find a fire escape on the backside of the building. Gripping my weapon a little tighter, I start the climb up the metal stairs as quickly as I dare, doing my best to move quietly while keeping my eye on the ledge above me. The last thing I want to see is Townsend looking down at me. If he gets wind that I’m coming up behind him, I’ll be in real trouble.
I’m nearly to the top and notice the gunfire on the front side of the building is still echoing, but to my ear, it doesn’t sound like it’s Townsend that’s shooting back anymore. My stomach turns over on itself, and my heart nearly stops dead in my chest when I hear the sound of approaching footsteps. I’m still a few stairs below the edge of the roof, so I bring my weapon up and dash up the last few steps, sweeping the barrel of my weapon left then right, firing blindly as I go.
Townsend grunts as he throws himself to the side to get out of my line of fire. He hits the ground hard and drops his AR but scrambles back to his feet just as I run out of ammunition. I throw the M4 down and reach for my Glock, but Townsend is quicker. He pulls his sidearm and fires before I can get mine out of my holster. A bright white, fiery pain erupts in my arm as the bullet tears into me and I cry out.
“Blake! Blake!” Astra’s voice rings in my ear.
“Don’t. Don’t you do it,” Townsend warns as I reach for my Glock.
Gritting my teeth, pain pulsing in time with my heart, I raise my good hand as Townsend steps over to me, the barrel of his .45 trained on my face. It feels like my arm is on fire, and I feel the blood spilling from the wound, soaking my shirt, and making it stick to me uncomfortably.
Davis Townsend stands over me, his face unsettlingly calm. He’s not a large man. Six-one maybe and very lean. His ash brown hair is cut short and thinning, and his eyes are like dark chocolate. He’s got a long face and a prominent chin and looks like the sort of man who would do your taxes, not a murderous mastermind.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he says. “I will. But I don’t want to.”
“You don’t have to do any of this, Davis,” I reply. “You can still walk away and—”
“No. I can’t. And if you’re here, you know I can’t. You know what they did.”
“I do.”
