Chapter 35

screeched to a halt, dust billowing as the trucks swung around. Engines roared, and the riders let out bloodcurdling whoops as they sped toward the building.

“Run!” Ravyn ordered, his voice sharp.

They bolted, weaving through the ruins as bullets tore through the air around them. The Ratpacks were relentless, their trucks smashing through debris like battering rams. Ayla’s lungs burned as she ran, her boots slipping on the ash-coated ground.

Ravyn skidded to a halt beside an old, rusted car, his eyes glowing brighter as he scanned it. “This will work,” he said.

Ayla stared at him. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“No, But i think I can make it ride– a couple miles I guess”

“But you'd disrupt your calibration… ” she replied, Ravyn was still recovering from getting deactivated a while back, so multitasking might halt calibration.

“Do you have a better idea?” Ravyn snapped. 

“No, ” Replied Ayla 

He didn't wait for more talke, he placed a hand on the car’s hood, and a faint, electric pulse rippled across its surface. The engine sputtered, then roared to life.

Sorin didn’t wait. He yanked the door open and shoved Ayla inside. Ravyn slid into the driver’s seat, his movements precise and calculated.

“Hold tight,” he said.

The car lurched forward, its tires spitting ash as it tore down the street. The Ratpacks followed, their trucks gaining ground. Bullets ricocheted off the car’s battered frame, and Ayla ducked as a molotov exploded nearby, flames licking at the ground.

“They’re not stopping!” Ayla shouted, gripping the seat.

“They never do,” Sorin muttered grimly.

Ravyn swerved, narrowly avoiding another projectile. The car groaned under the strain, its engine sputtering as they veered off the main road. For a moment, it seemed like they might lose their pursuers.

Then, with a deafening crack, something struck the car’s rear tire. The vehicle spun out, skidding wildly before flipping.

The world turned upside down and they crashed. 

When the dust settled, Ravyn was the first to move. He kicked the door open and crawled out, sparks flickering from his damaged frame. Ayla groaned from the backseat, blood trickling down her face.

“Get up,” Ravyn said, his voice clipped.

Sorin staggered out next, coughing. “They’re coming,” he rasped.

Ayla stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Ravyn pulled her from the wreckage, and the three of them stood, bruised and battered, as the Ratpacks surrounded them.

The raiders dismounted, their laughter echoing through the ruins. They were wild-eyed and filthy, covered in tattoos and scars, their weapons glinting in the dim light.

A hulking figure stepped forward, his cybernetic arm gleaming. He grinned, his gold teeth catching the light as he surveyed them.

“Well, well,” he drawled. “What do we have here? Fresh meat?”

Ravyn stepped forward, his glowing eyes fixed on the man. “Back off,” he said coldly. “Or you’ll regret it.”

The man barked a laugh. “Tough talk for a scrap metal. But this is my turf. You play by my rules—or you don’t play at all.” He gestured toward Ayla. “Move aside, bot. Let me see the girl.”

Ravyn tensed, his fists clenching, but Ayla placed a hand on his arm. “Not here,” she whispered.

She stepped forward, meeting the man’s gaze. “We don’t want trouble,” she said. “We just need a way out of here.”

“And why would I let fresh prey like you slip away? You'd make perfect entertainment for the pack, ” he said, throwing his hands in the air, “  and as for me... Well, let's just say you'd be screaming a different tune with your throat wrapped around my fist and your lips wrapped around my dick.”

The crowd erupted into cheers, but Ayla's face fell. "You have no idea what this means," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The resistance– ” Sorin didn't let her finish whatever blunder she was about to throw, and held her back by tugging at her clothes.

He knew better than to let her get them killed, purely because not everyone likes the resistance and primarily not the Ratpacks. 

Before the man could respond,  a young woman pushed her way to the front. Her sharp eyes scanned the scene before locking onto Ayla. “ I’m Shiera,” she said, ignoring the man’s glare. “I’m the chieftain’s daughter. If you want help, you’ll come with us.”

Ayla hesitated– looked at her comrades to get their facial approval, then nodded. “Lead the way.”