Chapter 84: The Ambush

The group had managed to free Elena, but the battle was far from over. The night still cloaked everything in darkness as Vincent, Anthony, and Samuel led the team out of the warehouse. The air was thick with tension, and everyone knew they couldn’t let their guard down.

"We need to move fast," Vincent ordered, his deep voice cutting through the silence. "We don’t know how much time we have before reinforcements arrive."

Anthony held Elena, supporting her as she struggled to walk. Despite her visible weakness, she insisted she could go on.

"I'm fine," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Don’t push yourself, Elena," Anthony replied through gritted teeth. He knew they couldn’t afford to stop, but seeing her so vulnerable stirred a controlled fury inside him.

The group reached the vehicles parked among the trees. Samuel was the first to open the truck doors, quickly inspecting the perimeter.

"This feels too easy. I don’t like it," he said, glancing at Anthony.

"I agree. This isn’t over," Vincent replied as he climbed into the lead vehicle that would head the convoy.

Without wasting time, everyone got into the trucks. Anthony helped Elena into the back seat of his vehicle, where Marlon, one of Vincent’s trusted men, joined them.

Engines roared to life, and the small convoy set off, navigating the winding forest road. The night pressed heavily on them, the shadows of the trees stretching like grasping fingers.

The silence of the drive was broken when Samuel, driving one of the vehicles, spoke through the radio.

"I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Something’s off."

Vincent’s voice came through from the lead vehicle.

"Stay alert. We could be followed."

No sooner had he spoken than a flash lit up the darkness behind them. The roar of engines filled the air, followed by gunfire that struck the convoy’s rear.

"We’ve been ambushed!" Samuel shouted through the radio.

Anthony cursed under his breath, grabbing his weapon and turning toward the shattered rear window. Two black trucks were closing in fast.

"Elena, get down!" he barked, firing at the approaching vehicles.

Gunfire thundered through the night, and Anthony’s truck swerved to avoid the bullets. Marco, sitting in the passenger seat, returned fire with sharp precision.

"There are too many of them!" Marco yelled.

Elena clutched the seat, her face pale as she tried to stay calm.

"Hang on, Elena! Nothing’s going to happen to you, I promise," Anthony said, though a mix of fear and rage boiled inside him.

A bullet shattered the rear windshield, spraying glass everywhere. Elena let out a choked cry, clutching her side as sharp pain overtook her. Her hand instinctively pressed against the wound, and when she pulled it back, it was covered in blood.

"Elena!" Anthony’s voice broke as he saw her slump against the seat.

"I’m fine…" she murmured, struggling to stay conscious.

Anthony knew she was lying. His heart pounded as he tried to take control of the situation.

"Marlon, cover us!" he ordered, pressing his hand firmly against Elena’s wound to stem the bleeding.

Vincent’s vehicle slowed, aligning with Anthony’s truck. His voice crackled through the radio, urgent.

"Anthony, what’s going on?"

"Elena’s hurt! We need to get her out of here now."

"Keep going. We’ll handle them," Vincent said with determination.

The Final Stand

Vincent and Samuel maneuvered their vehicles to block the attackers, forcing them to stop. Vincent’s team jumped out, engaging the enemies in a brutal gunfight.

Meanwhile, Anthony pushed the pedal to the floor, speeding away with Elena. His face was tense, his hands gripping the wheel tightly.

"Stay with me, Elena. We’re almost there."

Elena struggled to keep her eyes open but managed to meet Anthony’s gaze.

"I trust you…" she whispered before losing consciousness.

For a moment, Anthony felt the world stop, but he couldn’t afford to falter. Everything depended on reaching safety in time.

In the distance, the faint glow of a secluded cabin came into view—a safe house Vincent had prepared for emergencies. Anthony pulled up abruptly, jumped out, and carried Elena inside.

"Marlon, get the medical kit!" he shouted as they entered.

Elena lay on a makeshift table, her breathing shallow, each exhale seemingly draining her life. Anthony knelt beside her, his hands stained with blood as he tried to stop the bleeding.

"Hurry up, Marlon!" Anthony yelled, his voice cracking with desperation.

Marlon rushed in with the supplies, but even he hesitated upon seeing the severity of Elena’s wound.

"This isn’t enough, Anthony. We need a doctor."

"Then find a way to get one!" Anthony roared, slamming his fist against the table, his eyes glistening with frustration and fear.

Elena opened her eyes slightly.

"Anthony… don’t blame yourself…"

"Don’t talk. Save your strength," he pleaded, leaning closer, his voice trembling.

Elena tried to smile faintly, though her pain was evident.

"If anything happens… promise me you’ll take care of my daughters."

"Don’t say that, Elena. I’m not letting anything happen to you, do you hear me?" Anthony gritted his teeth, applying more pressure to the wound.

Vincent and Samuel arrived moments later, covered in dirt and battle scars. Vincent froze at the sight of his wife.

"How is she?" he asked, his brow furrowed, though his voice betrayed a hint of panic.

"She’s critical," Anthony began but couldn’t finish.

Samuel, ever composed in dire situations, took charge.

"There’s a private clinic about thirty minutes from here. It’s risky, but it’s our only option."

"What are you waiting for then?" Anthony snapped, carefully lifting Elena into his arms.

"Wait!" Vincent interjected. "If we move now, we could walk into another ambush. This might be exactly what they want."

Anthony turned to his father-in-law, his fury barely contained.

"And what’s your plan? Leave her here to die? I won’t just stand by!"

Vincent met his glare, but his silence revealed he had no better alternative.

The team prepared to move out again, this time with even greater caution. Anthony held Elena close, whispering reassurances as she struggled to stay conscious.

"I’m here, Elena. You’re not alone."

The convoy raced down the narrow forest roads, headlights cutting through the oppressive darkness. Each passing second felt like an eternity for Anthony, who couldn’t take his eyes off Elena.

"Don’t you dare close your eyes, Elena. Talk to me. Say something."

"Like what?" she whispered faintly, forcing herself to respond.

"Tell me… if you don’t want to meet your grandson," Anthony said, his voice cracking.

Elena’s half-closed eyes found his, her breathing labored.

Out of nowhere, a vehicle appeared, blocking the road ahead. Tires screeched as Samuel slammed on the brakes.

"Another ambush!" Marco shouted from the back seat.

Chaos erupted again. The attackers emerged from the darkness, their gunfire relentless. Vincent and Samuel jumped out, returning fire with lethal accuracy.

"Anthony, keep going! We’ll hold them off," Vincent yelled, covering his son-in-law.

Anthony floored the accelerator, ramming the vehicle blocking their path and forcing his way through. Elena cried out in pain from the impact, and Anthony quickly glanced at her.

"Just a little longer, Elena! We’re almost there!"

A bullet shattered the windshield, grazing Anthony’s arm. He cursed aloud but refused to stop.

Finally, the clinic’s lights came into view, a beacon of hope in the darkness. Anthony skidded to a stop outside the entrance, shouting for help as he carried Elena inside.

Medical staff rushed to them, taking Elena away. Anthony tried to follow, but a nurse blocked his path.

"Sir, you have to wait here."

Anthony fell to his knees, his shirt soaked in both his blood and Elena’s.

Vincent arrived moments later, battered but alive. He placed a firm hand on Anthony’s shoulder.

The night dragged on endlessly as Anthony waited, his heart hanging by a thread, desperate for news of Elena’s fate.