Chapter 13 - The Sacrifice at the Crossing
The Iron Bridge loomed out of the fog and rain like a rusted dinosaur skeleton spanning the black, churning waters of the Blackwood River. It was a narrow, one-lane structure built seventy years ago for timber trucks, its steel girders creaking under the gale-force winds.
The pursuing black sedan was less than two car lengths behind them now. Its front bumper nudged the pickup's rear tailgate, sending a violent shock through the chassis. Maya let out a brief, frightened yelp.
""Cross the bridge!"" Marcus commanded, his voice suddenly surging with unexpected, dying strength. ""Once you're across, don't stop!""
""Marcus, what are you doing?"" David yelled as the truck hit the steel grating of the bridge floor, the tires humming loudly against the open metal lattice.
Marcus grabbed the heavy door handle with his right hand and held the taped plastic case in his left. ""The ledger has every name, every dirty cop, every shipping manifest Galloway owns. If they think it's at the bottom of the river, they stop hunting.""
""No! We can fight them on the other side!"" David begged, reaching out to grab Marcus’s coat.
""Look at your girl, Dave!"" Marcus roared, his eyes blazing with an ancient, stubborn fire. ""You want her growing up looking over her shoulder every time a floorboard creaks? You want her living like we did?""
Marcus shoved David's hand away with surprising force. With his shoulder, he threw the truck door open against the rushing wind. The cold rain lashed into the cabin.
""Marcus, don't!"" Elena screamed.
Marcus looked down at Maya one last time. His rough, bloodstained thumb gently brushed the baby’s soft, tear-tracked cheek.
May you like
""Happy birthday, little bird,"" he whispered.
He leaned backward and fell out into the raging dark.
