The whole car shook when Gray stepped onto the hood. Ella felt her heart slam against her ribs. Lucas grabbed her arm so hard she almost yelped. Ben tried to sit up straighter, but pain dragged a groan out of him. Marco's hands trembled on the steering wheel.
Gray stared through the windshield. Not blinking. Not moving. Just looking at them like he had all the time in the world.
Marco whispered, "I can't drive forward. He will crash through the glass."
Ella felt her throat tighten. "Reverse."
Marco quickly pulled the gear back and pressed the gas. The car lurched backward, tires squealing on the wet ground. Gray slid down the windshield a little but held on like he was glued there.
Lucas whined, "Why won't he fall?"
Ben hissed, "Because he's a monster."
The car rolled back fast, the engine growling as Marco tried to put distance between them and Gray. Ella looked through the back window. Nothing behind them. Just the open street stretching far.
Gray suddenly slammed his hand against the windshield. The glass didn't crack, but the sound made Ella flinch so hard her shoulder hit the door.
Marco's voice trembled. "He's going to break in."
Ella shouted, "Turn! Turn the wheel!"
Marco twisted the steering wheel sharply. The car jerked sideways. Gray lost his balance for a second and slid to the side of the hood, his boot scraping the surface.
Marco turned harder, making the tires scream. Gray lost his grip and fell off the hood, hitting the ground on one knee.
"Go!" Ella yelled.
Marco stepped on the gas again. The car shot forward. Gray turned his head slowly, watching them drive away. No rush. No fear. No anger.
Just that calm stare.
Lucas whimpered, "He's coming after us. I know it. He's coming."
Ella pulled him close. "I won't let him touch you."
Ben groaned from the backseat. "He knew exactly where we were. He didn't guess. He followed us here."
Marco kept driving, swerving around broken streetlights and bins. "Shawn told him everything. I know it now. That's the only way he found me earlier."
Ella looked at him from the corner of her eye. "He sold us out."
Marco nodded, voice tight. "And he didn't even hide it. He said Gray promised him something better."
"What could be better than staying alive?" Ben asked.
Marco muttered, "Power, maybe. Freedom. Some people will do anything to feel important."
Silent tension filled the car. The city around them felt empty. Dead. Like every window had eyes behind it. Watching. Waiting.
Ella breathed deeply. "We need somewhere safe. Not the safehouse. Not the warehouse. Somewhere he doesn't expect us to go."
Lucas whispered, "My cousin's place?"
Ella shook her head. "No. He will check every person we know."
Marco drove past a row of old shops. "There is one place he won't go."
Ben raised an eyebrow. "Where?"
Marco licked his lips nervously. "The old train yard."
Ella frowned. "That place is dangerous. Half the ground is broken. And there are holes everywhere."
"Exactly," Marco said. "He won't chase us into a place where he could break his leg. He's careful. Too careful."
Ella looked at Lucas. The boy's eyes were wide, full of fear, but also trust. He believed they would keep him safe. She couldn't fail him.
"Fine," Ella said. "Take us there."
They drove for another ten minutes. Every second felt like something could jump out at them. Ella kept checking the windows. Ben pressed his hand against his stomach, trying to slow the bleeding. Lucas nervously gnawed on his sleeve.
Finally, Marco turned into a narrow path. Rusted train tracks appeared, covered with weeds and rocks. The broken fence rattled in the wind.
"This is it," Marco said.
The car rolled forward until they reached an old maintenance shed near the back of the yard. Marco parked behind the building where the car wasn't easily seen.
"Everyone out," Marco said.
Ella stepped out first and helped Lucas. Ben used the door to pull himself out, grunting in pain. Marco closed all the doors and checked the surroundings carefully.
Ella walked into the shed. Dust floated in the air. Old boxes lay scattered everywhere. Broken tools. Torn fabric. A few wooden crates.
"It's not comfortable," Marco said behind her. "But it's hidden."
Ella nodded. "We can stay here until Ben stops bleeding."
Ben sank slowly to the floor and leaned against the wall. "I can still fight. Just give me a few minutes."
Lucas shook his head. "You should rest."
Ben cracked a small smile. "You sound like Ella."
Lucas muttered, "That's because you sound like someone who wants to fall over."
Marco moved around the shed, checking every corner. He pulled a crate away and found a small opening in the wall. "We can see the outside from here," he said. "If anyone comes, we spot them first."
Ella moved to the window and looked outside. The train yard stretched far. No movement. But she didn't trust it.
Lucas held Ella's hand again. "Do you think he followed us?"
Ella took a long breath. "We moved fast. And he fell off the car. We have a chance."
Ben said quietly, "He won't stop."
Ella turned toward him. "I know."
Marco's voice softened. "But we will be ready next time."
Ella didn't respond. Her mind kept replaying the moment Gray stared at them through the windshield. That calm look. Like they were already caught. Like he was playing a game only he understood.
The wind outside grew stronger. Something metal clanged in the distance. Lucas flinched.
Ella squeezed his hand. "It's just the wind."
Lucas whispered, "Are you sure?"
Ella nodded. But when she turned back to the small opening in the wall, her chest tightened.
Someone was standing far across the yard.
The figure was too far to see clearly, but the stillness… the posture… the way the shoulders were held…
Ella felt her breath stop.
Ben whispered from behind her, "Ella. What do you see?"
Ella swallowed. "Someone."
Lucas whimpered softly. "Is it him?"
Ella didn't answer.
Marco rushed to the opening. "Where?"
Ella pointed. "There."
Marco squinted, then slowly stepped back. "I don't know if that's him. But whoever it is, they're not supposed to be here."
The figure stayed still. Watching.
Ella's heart beat harder.
Whatever was coming next… they wouldn't be ready for it.
But they had no choice.