Chapter 46: An unexpected earthquake

The car was silent after Ember’s question.

They knew it was most likely a trap. But this was the fastest route to Mount Pleasure. They had no choice but to fall into it and hope that everything would be fine.

Ember took guns from her space, handing one to each person.

“We didn’t have much time to prepare or practice, but having one can still deter,” Ember stated. She passed them around.

Aiden had been silent this entire time. His eyes narrowed as he studied the blockade. “We need to move it. Ivan and Alex, come with me. Adrienne, you get behind the wheel, keep the car running. Em,” he held Ember’s gaze. “If anything happens… Just make sure you’re safe.”

Aiden, Ivan, and Alex got out of the SUV. Adrienne was at the steering wheel, and Ember had her gun ready in case of any issues.

The sound of their boots sounded unnatural in the quiet.

Ivan grunted, moving a steel girder with far too much ease. He looked down at his hands, then over at Aiden and Alex, who were looking at him. He shrugged and continued moving objects.

Then the silence was broken.

“Don’t move,” a voice called out.

They came out of the shadows of the alleyways and from inside discarded vehicles. Like Ember’s team, they were armed.

“This is our territory. You need to leave,” the man who was assumed to be the leader spoke.

Aiden slowly raised his hands, trying to calm the situation. “We’re just passing through, we don’t want any trouble.”

“Well, you found it,” the man snarled. “Now get back in your car and leave.”

Aiden’s mind was racing. He didn’t know how to get them to let them pass. They were armed, and their numbers were larger. If they took another way to Mount Pleasure, it would create another day’s worth of travel.

Normally, it was a little more than an hour to get outside the city, then head to Mount Pleasure in another hour or so. Now, they’ve spent most of the day just getting to this point.

Aiden motioned to Ivan and Alex to step back. This wasn’t a problem he could solve with their few numbers.

Then it happened.

The sky started to change. First purple, then strokes of orange joined the fray. It wasn’t a sunset. The look of it was more like a bruise that was starting to form. There was a collective gasp as everyone tilted their heads to the sky.

A low rumble vibrated through the soles of their shoes. From a vibration to a groan, the earth started to shake.

“Earthquake!” someone screamed.

The ground heaved, a violent lurch. The men at the blockade were thrown off their feet.

“Go!” Aiden shouted.

They didn’t need to think twice. Ivan and Alex ran towards the car. They scrambled to get in. They were no longer concerned about the men by the blockade. A building in the distance collapsed in a cloud of dust and debris.

Aiden was the last to throw himself into the car. He didn’t even try to close the door before shouting, “Drive!”

Adrienne floored the accelerator. The SUV shot forward, rushing through the gap in the blockade that the earthquake had opened.

Driving through this was impossible. They needed to avoid all kinds of fall debris. The asphalt kept splitting, glass exploded. Adrienne held the wheel. Her driving was not the best, but adrenaline had spiked, and she was tuned to everything in the car.

“We can’t stay out here!” Ember yelled.

Adrienne swerved to avoid a collapsing streetlight.

“Over passes are out. Too tell.” Aiden pointed. “There. That garage.”

A low cinder-block fortress with heavy rolling doors. A mechanic’s shop. Adrienne floored it, smashing through a field of debris. They skidded to a halt in the small service bay. The rolling door shuddered and slammed shut.

They were plunged into darkness. The five of them sat there for a moment, breathing heavily. The tremors were still happening, but inside the service bay, it sounded muted.

A cough came from the shadows. “If you’re here to take something, you’ll be disappointed.”

Aiden stepped out of the car first, his pistol drawn. Ivan and Alex followed. In the doorway stood a man in his late forties. He was broad and solid. His eyes were wary, intelligent.

Behind him was a woman with a kind face wearing nurse’s scrubs, holding a first-aid kit.

“We’re not here to take anything,” Aiden said, his voice calm and steady. “We only need to shelter here until the craziness outside stops.”

The man’s eyes flickered from Aiden’s pistol to the SUV. “Looks like you were prepared for more than shaking.”

“We’re prepared for a lot of things,” Ember said, stepping forward. “My name’s Ember. This is Aiden, Ivan, Adrienne and Alex.”

The man relaxed slightly. “Marcus. This is Sarah.”

The ground moved again. A tool cabinet went crashing to the floor. Marcus cursed, leaning against the doorframe. “Alright,” he grunted. “You can stay. But stay here. The back office is off limits.” He walked away when he was finished speaking.

They settled into the service bay. They looked around to keep themselves occupied while they waited for the earthquake to stop.

Then they heard it.

The sound was faint at first. It was carried through the ventilation. A soft gasp, then another. It was the sound of breathing, fast and frantic.

The sounds grew louder. The creak of a spring mattress. A low moan from Marcus. A soft whimper from Sarah. It sounded raw, desperate.

Ember looked at Aiden. She could see the understanding in his eyes. Those two people were trying to feel something in the only way they knew how at the moment.

After a few minutes, the sounds stopped.

They didn’t check on them or ask questions. They continued looking around. Each person caught in their own thoughts.

Aiden held Ember’s hand, staying close to her. Adrienne held Alex’s. Ivan sat over in a corner watching the couples.

Sitting there, he couldn’t help but wonder. When is it going to be my turn? My dick is hard as fuck.

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