Everyone was momentarily unable to comprehend what had just happened. By the time Mark hurriedly pulled out his gun, Josh had already started the car. A woman immediately followed suit, drawing a gun from inside her coat. The barrel was pointed directly at them without hesitation.
Mark quickly rolled down the window, intending to shoot her. However, Josh abruptly yanked the steering wheel, throwing him off balance.
"Ah!"
"Ah, fuck...! You bastard, do you have a death wish...?"
From the back seat, Chase muttered a curse under his breath. Mark shot him a glance, but Chase wasn't fully conscious yet. He was rubbing his forehead as if in pain, his teeth clenched. Before anyone could react further, the car lurched violently again.
"What the hell are you doing, Josh?"
Mark, who had been slammed into the door, shouted. Josh replied swiftly without looking back.
"Don't roll down the windows. There might be an ambush."
"What?"
"It's a basic tactic. Can't believe we got caught in such a cheap trick."
Josh gritted his teeth and slammed the car into reverse. The car behind them was just as caught off guard by the sudden maneuver.
"What the hell? Has that guy lost his mind?"
Henry, who was in the driver’s seat of the other vehicle, shouted in confusion. Before he could react, Josh had already reversed at full speed, effortlessly overtaking them and vanishing behind them.
"Shit, what the hell?!"
Henry cursed, frantically looking around, but there was no time to act. Suddenly, figures emerged from their hiding spots along the roadside. Henry’s eyes widened in shock.
"What the...?"
A second later, they raised their rifles and opened fire. Bullets rattled against the car, filling the air with deafening noise.
"Aaah!"
Laura's scream echoed inside the vehicle. Isaac quickly rolled down the window and shouted.
"Seth!"
But there was no time to help. Henry turned around to check the backseat, cursing again as he realized something—Josh had already disappeared far into the distance.
"Open the sunroof."
Isaac ordered in a sharp tone. Henry pressed the button and immediately attempted to reverse. Isaac carefully positioned himself, sticking his head out of the sunroof without losing balance. His gaze locked onto the armed men firing at them. Gunfire erupted from both sides, creating a chaotic barrage of noise.
"Ahh...!"
"Ah! Josh, you bastard! Aaah!"
Screams erupted from all around the car.
"You crazy fuck, do you even know how to drive?"
Chase snarled through gritted teeth, though his voice still sounded sluggish. Josh paid no attention to him. He jerked the steering wheel aggressively, zigzagging as he continued reversing. The erratic movement helped them avoid the incoming bullets for now, but there was no way they could keep this up forever.
Fortunately, Henry and Isaac began providing covering fire, giving Josh a brief moment to breathe. He tried to slow the car down slightly, but at that exact moment, a dark silhouette rushed toward them from behind.
"Josh!"
Mark shouted in alarm.
It was a truck that had been parked along the roadside. No need to think twice—it was part of the ambush. The moment he saw the massive vehicle closing in, Josh stomped on the brakes and yanked the steering wheel to the limit.
"—!"
A piercing screech filled the air as the tires skidded violently across the pavement. The car spun uncontrollably, leaving jagged skid marks in its wake.
Even with their seatbelts fastened, their bodies were slammed against the interior.
It was total chaos.
But Josh gritted his teeth and fought against the spin, rapidly alternating between the accelerator and the brakes. He managed to regain control for a split second, then immediately changed direction and accelerated again.
"Shit, that guy’s insane!"
Henry screamed as he saw another vehicle barreling toward them. There was no way to avoid it. The truck was approaching at an alarming speed. Henry slammed on the brakes to stop reversing.
The massive truck loomed into view. Henry quickly shifted gears, preparing to move forward again. Beside him, Isaac threw away his empty magazine and reloaded in an instant.
"Go straight!"
"I fucking know that!"
Isaac pulled the trigger rapidly. One of the attackers shrieked and collapsed. Two more fell in quick succession. The remaining three hesitated, taking a few steps back. But despite their losses, they refused to back down and continued firing.
Henry growled and floored the accelerator.
"I'm running these bastards over. This is for Seth!"
Isaac, positioned above, responded.
"Seth isn't dead yet."
"Anyone who touches us dies, you idiot!"
Henry clenched his teeth and cursed. Isaac glanced down at him from above, then turned his gaze forward again.
Seth had taken cover by the side of the car, avoiding gunfire. During the chaos, he had managed to knock out the couple being used as bait, but he was clearly struggling now.
This had to end quickly. They needed to take out the last three men and move on to—
A blaring horn cut through the gunfire.
A truck was closing in from behind.
"Shit!"
Henry swore as his foot slipped on the accelerator. Laura shrieked, covering her ears and curling into a ball.
The car slowed instantly, and Isaac was thrown off balance, landing hard on his seat.
But it didn’t end there. Suddenly, Henry’s vision turned blindingly white, as if headlights had been switched on at full power.
"Henry?"
Isaac called his name urgently. But Henry seemed completely dazed. His hands were still on the wheel, but he was utterly unresponsive.
As the car wobbled dangerously, Isaac tried to climb into the front seat.
And then—
Henry suddenly twisted his head toward him and lunged, grabbing Isaac by the throat.
Laura screamed at the horrifying sight.
Josh’s situation was even worse.
The thunderous noise erupting from behind them sent violent tremors through his skull.
Mark, startled, clamped his hands over his ears and gulped. Josh, forced to keep both hands on the wheel, had no choice but to endure the deafening sound. He nearly slammed on the brakes.
Thankfully, he didn’t lift his foot from the accelerator. But Henry wasn’t as lucky. The slowing vehicle in front of them nearly caused a collision. Josh swerved just in time, barely scraping past the bumper.
"...Damn... what the..."
Mark’s voice rang in his ears, distorted and distant.
The horn blared again—this time, long and continuous.
Ahead of them was a decoy vehicle. If they stayed on course, they’d crash head-on. But switching lanes wasn’t an option—Henry’s car was in the way.
"What the hell are they doing?"
Mark cursed, watching Henry’s car sway erratically. He frowned, trying to figure out what was happening inside.
Suddenly, Laura called.
[Mark, we have a problem! Henry’s acting weird—Isaac and he are—Aah!]
A scream.
Then a loud crash.
Mark clenched his teeth, his anger flaring. But now wasn’t the time to yell. The truck was closing in fast.
Josh gritted his teeth and turned the wheel sharply. Henry’s slowing vehicle drifted back, creating an opening, and Josh seized the chance to swerve through it. He narrowly avoided the parked decoy car, escaping just in time.
There was no relief.
"Oh, fuck..."
Mark swore again.
From the opposite lane, another massive truck was charging toward them.
They were trapped. Either they’d be pinned in or crushed between the two trucks.
Mark turned to warn Josh—
But Josh couldn’t hear him anymore. His ears were ringing.
Mark waved frantically, shouting desperately.
And then—
"Hold on!"
Josh screamed.
At the same time, he yanked the steering wheel as far as it would go.
The car spun, lifting off the ground for a brief moment.
Mark instinctively shielded Chase.
Josh gripped the wheel tightly and slammed the accelerator.
The tires spun violently in the air, forcing the heavy vehicle forward.
A few breathless seconds later, the car landed with a heavy thud.
A cloud of dust erupted as Josh veered onto the unpaved road.
Behind them, the truck rattled as it continued the chase.
Everything was shaking.
Josh gritted his teeth and shifted gears frantically.
He had to lose them.
How?
And then—
The truck’s passenger door swung open.
A man leaned out.
He was holding an assault rifle.
Josh barely had time to react before gunfire erupted.
Gunfire erupted with a deafening roar, rattling the bulletproof car as it veered violently. Josh yanked the wheel, but unlike on smooth pavement, maneuvering on this rough terrain wasn't as easy. The evasive action barely made a difference.
"Think, think!"
Josh repeated the words like a mantra, forcing his mind to work. They didn't have much time. If they got caught, they'd be rammed from behind, and that would be the end of it.
"Josh, C's condition is getting worse!"
Mark's voice came from the back, strained and urgent.
The lingering ringing in Josh’s ears made it hard to process the words immediately. It took a second before they fully registered.
Josh made his decision. He shouted.
"Get your heads down!"
Without hesitation, he pulled out his gun and fired at the rear windshield.
The glass shattered in an instant, raining over Mark and Chase as they hunched down. Josh immediately twisted the wheel in the opposite direction. The sharp turn caused the car to lurch, throwing off the attacker's aim momentarily.
"Mark!"
"Got it."
Mark sprang into action, rising quickly and aiming his gun.
The pursuing truck swerved slightly as its driver struggled to regain control.
Mark took his shot.
He aimed at the truck's tires.
Six consecutive shots rang out.
It was impossible to tell which hit its mark, but the result was immediate.
A loud pop echoed, followed by a violent screech as the truck wobbled, struggling to maintain balance. The man hanging out with the assault rifle lost his grip and was flung off, his scream disappearing into the night.
The driver frantically twisted the wheel, but it was no use.
The massive truck tilted, then flipped.
A deafening crash followed as it tumbled, metal screeching against the ground.
Josh didn’t slow down to watch. He floored the accelerator and got them the hell out of there.
"...Shit. Fucking hell!"
Josh slammed his fist against the wheel, cursing.
His reaction caught Mark off guard.
"What? What’s wrong?"
"Fuel’s leaking. We won’t last long."
The dashboard’s warning lights confirmed it.
The navigation system was useless, and it was already a miracle the car was still running.
Not for long.
As expected, just a few minutes later, the fuel warning alarm blared.
Then—
The car came to a dead stop.
They were stranded in the middle of a barren wasteland.
Sparse patches of grass dotted the dry, desolate land. There were trees scattered around, but not enough to call it a forest. With little rainfall over the years, wildfires were frequent, and spotting firefighting helicopters overhead had become routine.
But not today.
"Fucking hell!"
Josh kicked the useless tire in frustration. Not that it would change anything.
The vast silence around them felt suffocating.
"Damn it..."
"Hey, calm down."
Mark let out a sigh as he tried to soothe him.
At that moment, Chase stumbled out of the car, swaying unsteadily before leaning against the side.
His face was deathly pale.
Josh was about to ask if he was okay when Chase suddenly doubled over, retching violently.
"Wurgh... ugh..."
The horrible sound of dry heaving filled the air. Nothing came out except bitter saliva mixed with stomach acid. Josh watched with a tinge of sympathy.
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It took a long while before Chase finally stopped, though he remained slumped against the car with his eyes closed, clearly unable to move.
Josh felt a twinge of guilt.
He didn’t say anything, though. Instead, he silently opened the small refrigerator inside the car and grabbed a bottle of water.
He unscrewed the cap and held it out.
Chase, still catching his breath, cracked his eyes open slightly.
Despite his miserable state, his disheveled, exhausted face was still strikingly captivating.
Even more so with those teary, glassy eyes.
It made Josh feel even worse.
He wordlessly held the water out again.
Chase, who normally would have cursed and lashed out, just stared at him.
He didn’t even have the energy to argue.
Letting out a shallow breath, he finally took the bottle.
Josh silently watched as he tilted his head back and downed the water in deep gulps, his Adam’s apple moving with each swallow.
Only after draining the entire bottle did he lower it, exhaling shakily.
Without a word, Chase extended the empty bottle back.
Josh took it and tossed it carelessly into the car.
At last, Chase seemed a little more present.
Josh wasn’t sure if he felt relieved or disappointed.
That’s when Mark spoke.
"We can’t go any further."
"No shit, genius."
Chase’s sharp tone returned, his frustration boiling over.
Oddly enough, Josh was relieved to hear it. The moment Chase started swearing again, his guilt evaporated.
Mark remained unfazed.
"Since you already know, I’ll keep it simple. We have two choices—wait here for rescue or try to find a road."
He glanced at Josh, who responded calmly.
"We have enough water to last about a day."
Josh had been planning to suggest resting for the night and heading out at dawn.
That was, if Chase actually agreed to search for a road.
But of course, his answer was predictable.
"You expect me to wander around with no idea where the fuck we are? Are you insane?"
Josh and Mark both fell silent.
Chase groaned in frustration, rubbing his face.
After a moment, he let out a quiet grunt and pulled out a black cigarette case from his inner pocket.
Without another word, he walked a few steps away and lit a cigarette.
Josh and Mark exchanged glances before simply looking away.
There was no sign of life anywhere in the distance.
Mark sighed.
"This is a mess."
Josh turned toward him, puzzled.
Mark waved a dismissive hand.
"Just a little motion sickness. Haven’t felt that in a while."
He let out a dramatic sigh before turning serious again.
"Anyway, we can’t just sit around forever. We need to find a road."
"It’ll be a long walk."
"What choice do we have? Someone has to go for help."
There was no arguing that.
Josh sighed. "Be careful."
Mark nodded. "By now, C’s manager probably realized something was wrong. They might’ve sent a search team already. You stay here with C—he’s still feeling the aftereffects. You good with that?"
Mark shot a look at Chase.
The actor was still standing apart, quietly smoking.
Josh hesitated before replying, "I guess."
Mark shrugged.
"Not like we have a choice."
After discussing the general direction and estimated walking time, Mark grabbed some water and snacks from the car’s fridge. He left enough for Josh and Chase.
"Take care."
"You too."
With that, Mark turned and started walking away.
Josh and Chase were left alone.
Josh sighed and climbed into the driver’s seat.
Then—
"What are you doing? The car’s dead."
Chase’s voice came from right beside him.
Josh glanced up. Chase was standing there, looking annoyed.
"Yeah. Just checking if anything still works. Emergency distress signals might still be functional."
He pressed a few buttons, checking the status.
To his relief, the monitor flickered on, weak but still operational.
He worked quickly, setting up a distress signal.
"Signal’s sent. If someone picks it up, they’ll come."
"Who?"
Josh hesitated, then shrugged.
"Someone."
Chase clicked his tongue in irritation.
Without warning, he started kicking the car.
Josh just let him, staring into the distance.
For some reason, he suddenly missed Pete.
By the time night fully set in, the air had grown bone-chilling.
Josh searched the trunk for blankets.
There weren’t many supplies, but thankfully, there was at least one blanket.
He walked over and opened Chase’s door.
Chase immediately shot him a glare.
Josh held out the blanket.
"Take it. It’s cold."
Chase glanced at it but turned his head away.
Josh sighed, then unfolded it and wrapped it around his own shoulders.
Behind him, Chase scoffed.
Josh ignored him.
Then, a strange noise echoed in the distance.
Josh stiffened.
And then—
A pack of coyotes emerged from the darkness.