Page 44 of Afflicted

My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I turned off of the main road and onto the narrower streets.

Tall trees whipped from side to side and my head bobbed up and down as I switched between craning my neck to watch them and keeping my eyes on the road.

A figure leapt out of nowhere straight into my path and I yanked on the steering wheel as I slammed on the brakes.

The truck twisted, sending my heart pounding as it felt like the passenger side wheels left the road.

Water careered across the windshield, blinding me inside the truck as the back wheels spun out. I grabbed the steering wheel, wrenching it back around as I fought to keep control.

Somehow I came to a jarring halt without hitting anything.

Blood thrummed through my veins, urging me into action. It felt like I did when I was preparing for combat and I fought to keep it under control.

I twisted around, trying to get a look at the figure who had jumped out in front of me. I couldn't see anyone through the rain-washed windows as I squinted out at the street. There were cars parked along the curb on the other side of the road so I couldn't be sure.

I was confident I hadn't hit anything but I had to be sure whoever it was was okay.

With an irritated sigh I opened the door and jumped out.

“Are you alright?” I called as I moved around the hood of my truck, hunching my shoulders against the hammering rain and wind.

I squinted between the cars and shielded my eyes with my hands as I tried to spot anyone there.

Someone slammed into me from the side, throwing me off of my feet and onto the hood of my truck.

I let out a yell as I twisted, landing on my back and getting my legs up before they could jump on top of me. The man shrieked as he launched himself at me again, trying to leap on top of me where I lay.

I kicked out, sending him flying back onto the tarmac where he landed in a huge puddle.

I used the momentum of my attack to jump from my truck and advance on him while he was down.

“What the hell?” I yelled at him, hoping he got the hint to stay down.

He didn't respond but lunged for my legs, wrapping his arms around my shins before I could jump aside. Teeth sank into my thigh through my jeans and I tried to jerk backwards, instead managing to lose my balance.

The man shrieked again as he knocked me over, his fingernails digging into my skin as he dragged me down.

I hit the ground hard but ignored the pain which lanced through my spine as I aimed a fist for his face. He didn't even flinch before my knuckles connected with his nose and I felt it shatter beneath my blow.

Blood flew as he toppled backwards shrieking again and I managed to get my feet beneath me as I stood and ran at him.

I kicked him squarely in the chest, forcing him backwards onto the tarmac and pinning him down beneath my boot.

Instead of giving up, he thrashed under the pressure, clawing at my boot.

“Just stay down!” I commanded, putting some more of my weight into my foot as he fought even harder.

Bloodshot eyes glared back at me. It didn't even seem like he understood what I was saying.

He screamed again, somehow managing to twist beneath me, forcing me to stumble back to save myself from falling. As he regained his feet, I closed the distance between us and swung my fist into his temple.

The man fell to the ground unconscious, rain water pooling around him.

I gave him a solid nudge with my boot to make sure he was out cold before expelling a heavy breath. I was irritated that he'd caught me off guard and swore as I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, tasting blood.

I pulled the satphone from my pocket and jumped back into my truck to escape the downpour.

“What’s up Walsh?” Hawker asked as the call connected.