Page 62 of Unveiled Wounds

“There are two playing with the shipment of guns that are still in the barn,” Zook popped up. “They keep opening the lid to the crate, looking around to see if anyone else is noticing.”

“There’s two along the opposite wall, just leaning against it. They’re watching the barn from their spots, smoking cigs,” How chimed in.

“There must be a bathroom in the back. One was undoing his belt as he headed that way.”

“Please, let me be the one to get the guy from the bathroom,” Pretty begged.

“You just want to use some cheesy pickup line,” Op commented. “That’s five, so where are the other three?”

“Hang on, one’s coming this way.”

I wasn’t sure where Wreck was in this maze, but we all went silent. There were sounds of a scuffle coming from nearby. A low-pitched whine sounded, and I couldn’t distinguish if it had come from my helmet or somewhere near me.

“Wreck?” Sabre asked. “Check in.”

There was another whine, but this one was lower.

“Hey, asshole, this isn’t funny,” Pretty said, anger masking the fear underneath.

“One incapacitated.” I waited for Wreck to say more, but he didn’t.

“Okay, so that’s seven left. If we shoot, they’re going to come running. Do we want to do that, Prez?” Op turned the command back over to Sabre.

“Can we take out the four we know of? I’m not worried about the guy in the shitter, but that will leave the leader and one other. We don’t know where they are.” Sabre’s voice rang through my helmet.

“How, I’ll come to you. We’ll take out the two along the wall. Grease, you head to Zook. Take out the two near the guns. We don’t have silencers, so it might flush out the other two. Shitter dude won’t be able to pull up his pants quick enough.” Op dished out assignments. “I wish Dead was here. Brother is quick on the draw.”

There was shuffling as brothers got in position.

“I’m running in, looking for the leader,” I said, wanting to put an end to this once and for all.

“Slate, you’re on baby patrol. Grizz, I’m coming with you,” Sabre ordered.

“Yeah, Prez. Getting old sucks donkey balls.” Sabre had given Slate the easiest assignment.

“You have a family, fucker. There are going to be bullets flying, and no guarantee either of us makes it out alive.” I was running on adrenaline, and this was a suicide mission.

“I’m coming with you. Everyone in position?” Sabre asked.

There was a chorus of yeses.

Op started the countdown.

One.

Two.

They didn’t wait for three as shots rang out. I trusted the brothers. Removing my helmet, I pulled the gun from my waistband and ran into the barn. Boot sounds clamored against the pavement behind me as more shots rang out. I stood towards the back of the barn, but I didn’t see the leader. He was the only one I was concerned about.

Sabre walked up next to me, knocking into my shoulder to get my attention. He pointed to a stairwell at the back of the barn. “Loft?” I mouthed to him, but he shrugged.

I went first, pointing my gun in front of me. I was prepared to shoot, but I’d rather kill him with my bare hands. Bullets were the easy way out, and this fucker deserved to feel the agony.

Taking each step, I silently made my way up. Sabre was close on my heels. At the top of the stairs, I stopped, crouching. No wonder the last two men hadn’t come running with the gunshots. They were busy. Fucking. In the loft. I stopped at the stop of the stairs, pointing my gun at them. Sabre stood next to me, gun drawn, but they were so lost in each other, they didn’t even know we were there. I held my finger up to my lips, silently moving until I was standing right behind the leader. He had a minion pinned to the wall with his chest. No one saw me coming.

“No wonder you weren’t interested in Clara,” I said, racking the slide of my gun, holding it to the back of his head.

“Only a coward shoots a man from behind,” he sneered at me.