Up ahead, the rhythmic, clanging bells of the rural railway crossing began to echo through the trees. The red signal lights flashed—a mechanical warning of the massive cargo train already roaring down the tracks toward the intersection. Douglas saw the gates beginning to drop. Instead of braking, he slammed his accelerator, his sedan fishtailing as he tried to beat the engine.
But the train was too close. Douglas slammed his brakes at the last possible second, his tires spinning uselessly on the wet metal tracks before he skidded to a halt just inches from the lowering gate. He was trapped. Vance slammed the cruiser into a diagonal park, boxing the sedan’s rear bumper against a steep embankment. “Stay in the car, Elena!” Vance commanded, drawing his weapon as he stepped into the rain.
Douglas threw his car door open, his face twisted in a mask of pure rage. He reached into the back seat, grabbing the groggy girl to pull her toward the dark tree line as a shield.