Sunlight blinded him. He cringed as if expecting a bolt of energy from the pulse gun to send him flying back into the room. But the grenade deployed as planned, providing an energy shield shaped like a cube—ten square feet of coverage impenetrable by most firearms.
Hector didn’t have long. It would take time for the attacker to break through the shield with the pulse gun. An energy-defusing weapon—grenade or projectile gun—would work faster. If the assailant switched weapons, Hector and Jack would have several seconds to make a break for the office. It was a gamble.
Another pulse of energy crackled as it dissipated into the shield. Now was the time. Hector pulled Jack up and scrambled for the office.
A hesitation. No shots. Their attacker had switched weapons.
A bullet splintered the wall behind them as they reached the office door. Hasty shot. A second wouldn’t miss. Hector kicked the door open and dove inside. The next shot would have gone right through their heads.
Jack propped himself up on his elbow. The feeling in his muscles seemed to be coming back, but his speech was still slurred, “Thir’ ‘oom in, ‘ooftop.”
Hector sat back against the manager’s desk. Third room in on the rooftop. Inbound shots had stopped. Hector peered through the window to the roof. No movement. Their attacker was gone. His eyes found their car.
“He left his position. He’s coming after us. We need to get to the car.”
Hector helped Jack to the door. They scanned the parking lot and surrounding buildings. Nothing. Their hunter had disappeared.
They reached the car. Hector eased Jack into the passenger seat and jogged to the driver’s side. As he made the turn around the front bumper his jaw dropped.
Their assailant stood twenty feet away.
He froze as though his limbs had been cemented to the asphalt. Between short, quick breaths, he stammered, “What? You?”
I love how each episode ends with a cliffhanger. Great technique for getting me excited for the next part!