Okay, Luke said. That went pretty well. Wheres the highway entrance?

Up ahead, Walter said. One mile, on the right.

The car ripped through the quiet town. Luke barely slowed for the highway entrance, taking the sharp curve hard. They merged into four nearly empty lanes of traffic, running west toward the city.

The car was still gaining speed. The digital readout hit 80, then 90, then 100. The car burst forward, its ride smoothing out. Luke took the curves of the road effortlessly. He embraced the speed, the exhilaration. For a moment, he smiled. The Suburban had blown right through them.

Behind them, the first pursuit vehicles appeared. Luke could see their headlights in the rearview. Could he outrun them in this car? He didnt think so.

He pushed the car on. 120 now.

130.

Inside the cabin, it was quiet. No one cheered. No one war-whooped. They hadnt won anything yet, not even close. Everyone must have understood that.

Ahead of them, cars were signaling and pulling off the road. Luke glanced at the rearview again. Flashing red and blue lights now, coming fast.

Were about to have a lot of company, he said.

Behind them, the pursuit vehicles were closing in. They passed an entrance ramp. Three more black SUVs raced onto the highway next to them. Two hundred yards ahead of them, two more had slowed almost to a stop. Their brake lights lit up in the dark.

Stone! Chuck Berg said. Theyre going to box us in.

I see that.

Susan poked her head up. What would happen, she said, if we just gave up?

Theyd kill us, Brenna said.

Do we know that for a fact? I mean, this is crazy. If they saw me in here, are they just going to shoot me?

Brenna shrugged. Do you really want to find out?

Every few miles, they passed little turnarounds, where state troopers would normally park to monitor traffic with radar, or simply turn around and go the other way. They were due to pass another one in a moment.

An SUV pulled even on Lukes left. A gunman leaned from the rear passenger window.

Get down! Luke shouted.

The man fired at the back of the Suburban. Bullets strafed the side of it. Susan screamed. The rear window smashed, but didnt break. Luke spun the wheel hard to the left. The armored car hit the black SUV and drove it into the concrete sidewall. The car crumpled, its tires shredded, and it flipped. The Suburban kept going.

Luke looked back at her. Susan, I told you to stay down. I didnt mean sometimes. I meant all the time. They dont care about us. Theyre shooting at you. Id prefer if you didnt show them where you are.