Deceived by Jerry B. Jenkins Page B

me!”
    Colin shoved Vicki toward the van and she climbed inside. “She may be able to tell us more.”
    A guard yelled that the deputy commander had a phone call. The man shook hands with Colin and went inside the building.
    Colin closed the door and turned to Mark. “Get us to the main road as quickly as you can.”
    Mark pulled out, the tires spinning in the gravel. A boy behind Vicki said, “I want to thank you guys for helping us get out of there, but next time I’d like to order a bus.”
    A few laughed nervously. Colin said, “Keep it down. We’re not out of this yet.”
    â€œThat guy is running toward us!” someone yelled from the back of the van.
    Vicki glanced in a side mirror and saw the deputy commander waving his hands, yelling at the guards, and pointing toward the van.
    â€œWhat do you want me to do?” Mark said, taking his foot from the gas pedal.
    â€œThe guards have their guns out!” a girl yelled.
    â€œStep on it!” Colin yelled. “Everybody get down!”
    As the van sped toward the front gate, a shot shattered the back window. Kids screamed and Colin told them to stay calm.
    â€œWhat if they shoot at the gas tank and make it explode?” Shelly screamed.
    â€œThat only happens in the movies,” Mark said.
    The guards at the front scrambled to action, activating a large gate that slowly blocked the entrance.
    â€œPete, we need some help!” Mark yelled into the radio.
    â€œI’m on my way.”
    The guards flew inside the guardhouse as the van careened around the closing gate, sending sparks flying. When Mark turned onto the main road, Vicki felt the van tip slightly, and she thought they were going over. Mark swerved and the van righted itself.
    â€œGC cruisers are following us!” someone shouted.
    â€œOkay, here comes Pete,” Mark said, slowing.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Colin yelled. “Keep going.”
    Mark stopped the van as Pete’s truck neared the entrance. Vicki craned her neck and saw the two guards in front raise their rifles and fire at the truck, then run away. Pete’s trailer slid sideways, crashing into the guardhouse and blocking the entrance. The trailer tipped but didn’t turn over. GC cruisers raced after them.
    Mark put the van in reverse and zoomed toward Pete. The man had a huge gash over one eye and a bruise was forming on his forehead, but he had managed to limp to the middle of the road. Vicki threw open the van door when Mark slowed enough for Pete to climb inside.
    Pop-pop-pop went the rifle fire as Vicki slammed the door. Two of the side windows shattered as Mark floored the accelerator and sped away.
    â€œStay down!” Colin said.
    â€œI don’t know where this road comes out,” Mark yelled. “We came in the other way.”
    â€œKeep going,” Pete gasped. “When you come to the next road, turn right.”
    â€œAre you all right?” Vicki said.
    Pete was on the floor, wedged between a seat and the door. He was holding his right arm and for a moment let go. A dark, red stain covered his shirtsleeve.
    â€œHe’s bleeding!” Vicki gasped.
    One of the kids ripped a piece of cloth from his shirt and tied it around Pete’s arm. The man looked pale and was having a hard time catching his breath.
    â€œWill they be able to trace your truck?” Colin said.
    Pete shook his head. “It’s under a different name.”
    â€œWhat happened back there?” Shelly yelled.
    â€œI knew that phone call wasn’t a good sign,” Colin said. “Somebody finally figured out we’re not who we said we are.”
    â€œYou could have fooled us, sir,” a boy in the back of the van said.
    Colin smiled. He dialed Jim Dekker in Illinois to update him and see if he knew how the GC had discovered them.
    Vicki leaned over and put a hand on Pete’s forehead. He was breathing easier now, and some of the