“You will fight for your world.”

“Sir, yes Sir.”

“You will fight for the UPP and everything it represents. True peace and unity among the people.”

“Sir, yes Sir.”

“You will do whatever it takes.”

“Sir…yes sir.”

“Kill whoever we tell you to, without question, knowing that it is for a purpose.”

“Sir…yes sir…”

--

They were driving very fast down the high way. The speeding headlights and stop signs flashed by in a whirl of colour. Grayer was at the wheel of Shay’s dark blue Mercedes, barley paying attention to the traffic as it flew past. In his mind he was already formulating a plan of action. As they drove down the main streets of the city, it was total chaos.

“Jesus. What is all this?” Grayer muttered, as massive swarms of people ran past, some screaming with fear as others walked past shouting cries of joy.

“Chaos.” Shay replied.

She wasn’t wrong. The traffic had become thick and digested, many cars completely disregarding any rules whatsoever. Grayer followed suit and shoved the Mercedes into gear, roaring past a row of stopped cars.

“They obviously didn’t teach you to drive in the military.” Shay said, as she grabbed the front of the dashboard to steady herself.

Grayer smirked darkly. “Oh they taught me how to drive all right, they also taught me how to disregard traffic laws in situations like these.”

They sped along, Grayer opting for the back roads as oppose to the city’s chaotic downtown main streets.

“Where are we going?” Shay asked, looking at him in desperation.

“We’ve got to find a safe area where I can make a few calls. I can talk to some people who should know exactly what the fuck is going—“

A loud crack of a gunshot interrupted his sentence as the mirror on his door shattered, a bullet lodged in it dead center.

“Get down!” Grayer shouted as he jerked the steering wheel to the left. Shay ducked as a row of bullets shattered the back window of her Mercedes.

“Mother fuck!” She swore, covering her ears as she held her body down as best she could. Grayer’s vision was fixed on the rearview mirror, trying to see past the shattered glass of the back window to get a good look at their attackers. A big, white SUV was right on their tail as he rounded a sharp turn that led them out onto the main freeway.

Above them in the night sky, firecrackers were erupting in the air added to the near deafening loudness of the freeway. Grayer switched lanes and the SUV did the same. He could just make out the figures of a driver and another man who had to be the gunman in the front seat.

“Shay,” Grayer said grimly. “I’ve got to take these guys down. When I count to three, grab the wheel.”

“Jesus Grayer you want me to drive? I can’t see shit from where I’m sitting!”

“We’ll switch places. Hold on.” He thumbed back the trigger of his gun with his free hand. He glanced over his shoulder. The SUV was closing the space between them.

“Okay, try to stay down when you’re driving. This could get ugly.”

Shay was breathing heavily and staring at him wide eyed.

“Shay! I’m serious. I need you to concentrate!”
“Okay! Okay!” She whimpered. “I’m ready.”

“Okay on the count of three I’m going to let go of the wheel. One.”

Another round of gunshots caused one of the back windows to shatter.

“Two.”

Grayer watched as the gunman tossed aside his shotgun and pulled out a sleek black rifle.

“Three!” Grayer shouted, releasing the wheel and jumping into Shay’s seat. Shay fell over and grabbed the wheel. The car veered precariously to the left.

Grayer leaned out of the window, aiming his weapon at the gunman. The driver swerved but they were close enough that Grayer could maintain a steady aim. He fired. The gunman slumped over in the seat, his large rifle falling to the floor. The driver sped up at rammed into the back of Shay’s Mercedes, causing her to scream.

Grayer aimed again, but this time at the tires on the car instead of at the driver. He fired three shots. The driver screamed with rage as the vehicle swerved off the busy freeway and onto the side of the road.

“Pull over!” Grayer instructed. A shaking Shay jerked the car off the lane and parked.

Grayer hopped out of the car and rushed over to the crashed SUV, prying open the driver’s door.

“Why the fuck are you following us asshole?” Grayer yelled, slamming the side of his gun across the man’s face. Blood spewed from his now broken jaw.

“We we’re paid.” The man coughed, wincing in pain.

“Paid by who?” Grayer demanded.

“I-I don’t know.” The man stammered.

“Bullshit!” Grayer tilted his gun to the man’s leg and fired. He screamed in agony.

“Now that I have your attention. Who the fuck paid you to have us followed and why?”

“A government man. There’s big money out for people like you. Agents. The rebellion wants them all dead.” The man wheezed and panted, clutching at his leg.

“Did you get a name?” Grayer questioned, loading his gun once more.

“N-no. Not a name. Just…a place.”

Grayer raised his eyebrows. “Go on.”

“Harlow Creek.” He man’s breathing was short and heavy. The impact from the crash and the bullet wound was proving to be too much. “Please.” He moaned. “Please get it over with it.”

“Thanks.” Grayer said grimly, and pointed his gun directly at the man’s chest.

“Get back in the car.” Grayer said gruffly as he walked past a stunned Stay and hopped in the driver’s seat. They continued their journey down the freeway without hassle. The crazy amounts of reckless drivers appeared to all ignore the crashed SUV on the side of the road.

“Well?” Shay demanded, twisted her dark hair nervously between her fingers. “Did you find out anything?”

“I got a name of a place. Harlow Creek.”

“That’s south of the city.” Shay replied. “Past your mom’s house.”

“Good.”

They drove on in silence. The sun was just rising in the distance, brushing the sky with an eerie red glow. After an hour of saying nothing to each other, Grayer pulled over at a small rest station.

“You need some rest.” He mumbled.

“I’m fine.” Shay said quietly, biting her lip. The events of the last 12 hours were almost more then her mind could handle all at once. She was tired, but didn’t want to show it. It seemed easier just to keep going.

“I need to make a few calls anyways.” Grayer said blankly, parking in front of a grungy looking motel. He got out and slammed the door, leaving Shay sitting alone in the car.

Grayer opened the swinging door of the motel to be greeted by the click of a rifle.

“Are you a good for nothing piece of rebellion scum looking to start something?” Came a rough growl, imbedded with a thick southern accent.

“Jesus! No, look I’m an agent of the UPP. My badge is in my fucking pocket.”

The man lowered the gun a few inches.

“Well, let’s see it then.” He grunted.

Grayer dug in his jean pocket and tossed the man his badge.

“Thank the lord.” Breathed the man. “Blessed be sure, come right on in.”

“There’s a girl with me. She’s out in the car, should be along any minute.” Grayer watched as the man tossed his rifle onto the main desk that was covered in a mess of papers and things.

“Do you know what’s going on?” Grayer asked, glancing around the dimly lit lobby.

“The 12 o’clock news said it all.” The man spat on the dark stained carpet and squinted at Grayer. “Kassador was assassinated at the treaty. Details are sketchy, but the police all say that our man killed him. President is in custody until proven not guilty. The rebels say if they don’t find solid proof in 48 hours that he didn’t do it they’ll kill him.”

Grayer blanched. It was impossible. It could not be happening.

“You all right there son?” The man said gruffly, pulling up a chair for Grayer to sit down in.

“Jesus Christ.” Grayer said under his breath. “You don’t have any cigarettes do you?”

--

Shay walked into the motel 10 minutes later, whipping her reddened eyes with the sleeve of her jacket. Grayer nodded at her and pulled up a chair. He had been chain smoking and talking to Joe, the owner of the motel who was polishing his rifle with a dirty clothe.

“How much further until Harlow Creek?” Grayer questioned, inhaling deeply on the cigarette to calm his shattered nerves.

“Your best bet would be to stay and rest here. Creeks still hours away.” Joe said without looking up from his gun. Shay was watching him, uncomfortably shifting in her seat.

“I’m afraid the phone is out, same with the cable. Goddamn swine came charging in here and cut out all my power before I scared em’ off with my gun. Goddamn hooligans.” He spat once more on the dingy floor. Shay made a face.

“I still got the news channel running. But I’m afraid that’s about it.”

“That’s all we’re going to need.” Grayer muttered. “Put it on now.”

Joe obliged and the small wall television flickered to life. The three of them squinted up at the dusty screen. A weary looking news reporter popped up on the screen. He looked tired and shaken, his face drowned in five o’clock shadow.

“No recent updates on the current whereabouts or status of the President. He was taken into custody by the rebellion forces at approximately 15 minutes before midnight. A message from the senator of the rebellion has sent all news stations videotape declaring full war against the UPP. They are making arrests and killings on anyone they deem necessary to. We advice everyone to remain indoors in a safe place. Riots and rallies have sprouted up everywhere. The whole world—“

The news reporter’s droning voice suddenly choked.

“The whole world is in chaos and danger. Our station will be updating every half hour, and playing the videotape from Senator Begley between newsbreaks. Please for your sake and that of your family, remain locked in your homes. Avoid going out in the streets at all costs. Our phone lines are open to anyone who has something to report. Be patient as we take your calls.”

“Shut it off.” Grayer said quietly, staring blanking at the wall.

He stood up, lighting another cigarette. Shay’s lip trembled as she watched him closely.

“We’ll need a room. Shay needs some sleep.” He muttered.

Joe nodded and tossed him a set of keys. “First door up the stairs on your right. Nicest one in the house.”

“Thanks.”

--

The room was dark and damp. The wallpaper was beginning to fray from the walls, revealing it’s previous putrid yellow colour. The bed’s mattress had a few loose springs but it was still comfortable nonetheless. Grayer sank into its lumpy blankets while Shay took a cold shower in the next room. She came out a few minutes later in a towel, drying off her face with another. She met his gaze and looked away. She had been close to silent since the discovery of her dead father and brother the previous night. Grayer felt guilt swell up in his chest. He was unsure how to comfort her. He wanted to hold her, to kiss her, hell, even make love to her and tell her he would fix things and that everything would be all right. But he wasn’t about to go making empty promises he couldn’t keep.

He turned away while she dressed, still trying to think of something to say to her but everything that popped up in his head seemed lousy. Instead he settled upon placing a hand on her stomach after she slid into bed. She flinched but did not push him away. Grayer shut his eyes and breathed heavily, pretending to be a sleep. Sure enough, a few minutes later he felt his hand rise and fall with Shay’s shaky breathes. He knew she thought he was asleep and couldn’t hear her. And that was how he lay, staring up at the ceiling with his eyes half shut, listening to the quiet sobs of his childhood friend, mourning the death of two of the few people in his life that had actually meant a damn to him.