We need to get you to the Salem Airport and then to a secure facility in the capital where you will ride out this storm with other officials.

“When we spoke with the pilot before leaving your house, he said things weren’t that bad at the airport, but he could hear approaching gunfire in the distance, so we might have to jump out and run to the plane. If we have to run, our people will be firing their weapons in our direction, but they will be shooting at targets behind us. DO NOT FREEZE! These mutants are fast, and if you stop, you will probably die. Got it?”

Greg and Evelyn both nod. Greg was in the military, but never faced any actual combat. He understands first hand from speaking with those that had been in various battles, how terrifying the first firefight can be. People like him, civilians, often freeze when bullets start flying around them instead of moving to safety.

“I’m going to drive us in fast and stop as close to the plane as I can without blocking the wings so we shouldn’t have to go too far. Just keep your eyes on the door of the plane and run at it. No matter what you hear, keep running and get in that plane.”

“What if they aren’t there anymore?”

“They wouldn’t leave without you.”

“That’s not what I meant. What if they’ve been killed?”

“Then we’ll do our best to get you to Salem by car.”

The guarded entry to the private plane hangars is abandoned as they drive through the already-broken gate. On the other side of the car, a small plane lands on the shorter runway.

“At least we know planes can still fly if that one is coming in safely.”

“There’s one of them to the left, sir!”

Two people are next to a building. One man is hunched over the body of the other in what appears to be an effort to resuscitate at first. As they continue by, the kneeling Samaritan lifts its head and turns its gaze to their vehicle showing a bloody face from its attack on the victim it captured.

“Our plane should be on the ready lane just opposite this hangar. Get set to make a run for it.”

Rounding the building, the plane is exactly where they hoped it would be. The men guarding it are in place and ready for Representative Cavanaugh’s arrival. The mutated children are there as well; two of them, hopping between the armed men firing at them. The bullets fly as they attempt to stop their continuing attack.

Of the nine men guarding the plane, two are on the ground. One lying still in a twisted heap and the other struggling to crawl away, pulling his legs behind him. The mutants seem to be toying with the men like cats. Landing next to one, grabbing and quickly tossing them five or ten feet and jumping away before they can be shot by the other men.

When the SUV pulls up, the driver and Agent Everett step out with their guns firing before their feet hit the ground. What looked like wild shots all missing the mutants as they drove up was actually multiple direct hits to their bodies that weren’t doing much to slow them down.

“Run to the plane!” Everett yells while grabbing Evelyn out of the SUV.

Evelyn bolts for the door of the plane and watches a man raise his gun to her face as she approaches.

Keep running. Don’t stop. She tells herself as she moves directly toward the flashes of the firing weapon. A mutant leaps over her and lands by the man making the shots, grabbing him and tossing his body away. The man’s back hits the plane’s wing, and his brief silence of shock is ended when he hits the pavement and starts screaming in pain.