Chapter Six

Above all the struggles with them, Casanova crawled and managed to get back on his feet and quickly covered his gun from inside the cubicle. He shot at their car. He missed the target and then a second time, the bullet went off to the right. It slammed into the road side toilet house, that was built there for travelers a few feet to the side of the small windowsill and the whole building seemed to rock. A man ran outside half naked and fell immediately by the time he saw more bullets flying in the air. Then slowly took cover in the nearby bush.

Down the highway he could see their car stopped with a screech of brakes, spun in a ragged U-turn that took it a few metres over the curb, and sped off in the opposite direction. He nearly miss the turn but he'd managed to maneuver with the steering wheel. Freya eagerly fastened her seatbelt trying not to panic as she sat up with him in the front seat. Casanova didn't give up, he ran half-step, kicked the rocky chair outside back out of his way and dropped into a crouch in front of the wagon. He looked out. Casanova was actually crouching down, trying not to miss the smallest possible target.

Since the cab was an old brand, the trees there were young ones, amongst the low grasses in the valley view of the road. There the highway descending down and little up hills like a deserted island. Their car even at a distance was still visible to him.

Out of the frustration he was quite determined to get them down, stopped, leaned over the bonnet and crouched, fired. After snapping off a shot again, it shattered the back windshield and they took cover. But still driving away. He crouched down another round, fired, but this time his shot wasn't even close. The car was gone now. It had turned at the sharp corner, he looked after it and watched it disappear so quickly from his view.

He threw the gun away in rage. So frustrated because of the knockout punch and kick she'd also gave him. He stoop so low in excruciating pain and managed to pick up the gun again, "You can only run, but you'll never escape, Casanova." This time his arm anticipated the recoil and the gun stayed up steady as he jumped into the wagon. He raged and turned the key in the ignition switch and geared up to chase after them.

"I'll get you down." he yelled.

At first when they lost sight of him, she was happy a little bit and looking straight ahead. Broderick later got his head slightly spinning in pain. She noticed. Then she tried to maintain a little calm.

"Please Broderick, I'm so sorry for all this trouble that I've caused you. I don't really know what to say for now, but please help me to get into the train." she cried.

"Trust me blonde, I've got you covered. If anybody wants to hurt you, then that person will have to begin with me."

"What about your windshield, doesn't it bother you?"

"Whoa, never mind please."

"But it's all my fault."

"Says who? Listen here blonde, I'm not okay when people try to feel guilty unnecessarily. I'm your chauffeur and is my duty to do my job. I'm gonna be fine."

They were still driving very fast. She told him about her decision to get out of the county and he blinked at her for a moment. Their eyes caught up with each other then he winked at her as though her mind were elsewhere, caught up either in the past memory of violence or in the plans for vengeance against Bob. While he focused on the drive way to the rail station, just as the car moved off she got a brief glimpse of the man behind the wheel. She heaved a sigh of relief amidst some little frantic feeling. Who, no one could have been able to explain.

While they remained silent for a brief moment, just as they were still driving in a furious speedway on the road, already they've gone between three or four kilometer away from the check point. Freya heard a suspicious noise at first, that makes a piercingly loud sound as though at a close range. She listened careful a second time then she quickly recognized the noise; she could tell that it was a noise of a siren. She abruptly turned around and looked through the shattered windshield, but for now she couldn't see anything save for the green hills because the route is full of zigzagged across the hills.

When the car soon came out of the zigzagged part of the road, behold the wagon of Casanova, now in a furious advance towards them. He had early on contacted the sheriff department to send him back up troopers. Since he'd been injured during the fight between them and himself at the check point lately.

Just as the siren was wailing behind the cab, Broderick abruptly adjusted the inner mirror to catch a glimpse of what's going on at their back. His head was perfectly clear now. The pain was still there, though very mild, but his head was perfectly clear. He certainly remembered everything up to the blow that knocked him out down to earth.

"Broderick...we've got company."

"What? You never told me were in trouble."

"I'm so sorry."

"Sorry? Sweet Jesus! Don't be ridiculous. Why should you be running away from the cops and you didn't even bother to tell me anything in the first place. These people are dangerous and they might y'all."

"Yeah, that's the way it is."

"Gosh, why should anyone wanna kill you? I don't get it, did you commit a crime or something? Listen here blonde, this isn't funny anymore. Just tell me everything that I need to know. Perhaps I can help you out and without any additional money."

"Is Bob, he killed my father and took my mom and younger brother away. And now his after my life; because I caught him raped my best friend and killed her." she exhaled heavily, then burst into tears.

"Whoa, now I got it."

"Please, help me. You're my only hope."

"That's not a problem at all. I'll tell when there's a problem." he said. His voice sounded odd to her, as though something else invincible were pulling strings attachments that moved his lips, it was as if someone else were actually speaking for him, when he sternly told her that there's no point to bother about the cop.

Casanova was loading up his rifle, crouched down, then fired a bullet at them. It struck the back bumper and the brakes screeched, as he soon began driving zigzagged on the road.

One of the two troopers was called Bruce. He was a real trooper of a private rank in the sheriff department. As well as bloody brilliant idea on how to assassinate for people like Bob Joker. Who is always willing to pay dearly for their dirty service. They knew this, but they didn't know whether Bruce had a second name or a last name. When it calls for a black mission impossible like this one, these guys will never be on their right uniform just to avoid easy investigation identity. He was the one behind the wheel now, but still holding a pistol in the other hand. The one who had shed many innocent blood in Los Bahamas for people like Bob Joker.

Bruce had large brown eyes and thick black eyebrows. There were two thin scars across the bridge of his nose. His mouth was a thick line, the lips pale. He could drive the wagon with just only one hand and still be shooting at them with the other hand. While the other trooper whose name they have not mentioned yet, was busy loading up the guns down at the back seat. None of them were casually chatting with each other probably because none of them care to chat right now. The second trooper was a little bit heftier than Bruce and he equally appeared to be very tough too; with a thick neck and a nose that had been broken and imperfectly reset. He actually looked as though he must have played guard or tackle back in some highschool junior varsity football game.

Now he giggled brutally as soon as he noticed that the were gonna get Freya down, he thought most definitely. Then he said, "What about the gentleman behind the cab wheel? I guess his part of our business."

"Not quite sure what we gonna do with him yet. They aren't gonna escape from us. I believe that they're heading to the rail station." Casanova replied.

"What if they do?" Bruce asked curiously.

"So? They don't know a thing. This is my town, I never miss my target but I bet that this guy is quite appealing directly to both of us. He's gonna be heading out to jail by the time I get hold of him."

From a distance they all heard the loud warning horn of the train at the station. No two ways about it and it's about to embark upon its track to Herbiscus Island. All hope is in progress for both teams, and no one was willing to miss a chance. Either she got on the train or no retreated back to Los Bahamas.

Broderick had no idea what to do next since he'd made up his mind never to quit being her chauffeur. Instead he double up the car speed. He stepped on the accelerator with a broad smile and sped up. Now he was so determined to help Freya get on the train by all possible means. When they eventually arrived at the train station, there was no doubt about it, but the chance seem to be very low because the contraption was already moving away.

Probably all its passengers except Freya were onboard. Thank goodness that the train was still rolling very slowly on the track when she came. It was still gathering momentum to take off finally. Broderick pursued after it in a furious fast speed and said, "Hang on blonde. I hope you'll enjoy the ride." Then he suddenly held the emergency brake pads, the tires screech on the snowy roadbeds and halted right there completely.

"I supposed that you know what you're doing?"

"Of course, I know that this isn't a movie scene. Let's do this before they get here. I'm sorry okay."

"It's kinda crazy, Broderick."

"Yeah, I love it."

In the meantime, it was already few minutes past four. Then they eagerly alighted from the car as she was still wondering how his gonna perform the miracle whip. Already the train was slowly getting away on the track. Freya stood motionless for a while, pissed off about it and was frantically searching for a means to escape. Her shoes have heels and might not be suitable to make any difference now. It's weird to take a risk she resolved quietly to herself immediately.

"It's weird. I told you that this is gonna be such a bad idea. No need for speed most wanted anymore. Please Broderick, allow me to surrender to them. I appreciate your help for trying to be... "

"It's never too late."

He abruptly interrupted her words, then he lifted her easily in his arms till he ran very close, side by side with the moving contraption. It seemed like they have lost sight of the wagon for now. But it was still on its way to meet them. He was breathing heavily at each step that he was now taking because of her weight. She noticed. But he'd refused to give up though he was obviously exhausted; his mouth was also producing out something like a smoke, each time he breathe out because of the cold outside. A masculine voice responded from within, stretching out his hand across the threshold to reach out to Freya, so that she can get hold of her for a little support. Just to make it easier and quicker for both of them. and then he carried her over the threshold, across the last cabin.

"Hey buddy, down over here I can help you. Common quickly." he said, with a Mexican accent from inside one of the coach.

Their eyes spotted the person immediately. He stood by the entrance inside the last cabin already moving train, urging them to hurry up. Continued.

"Quick, let me help her in." he added.

A quick glance from Broderick towards her direction, she knew immediately how despirate and determined he was to get her inside. She couldn't help it but instead she smiled appreciatively. He spent about two or three minutes running with her in his arms, watching the perfect synchronization of her body resting on his chest. Her blond hair was all bunched up under her white hoodie.

"No, no, no, it is pointless. There is absolutely no way I'll let you take such risk for my sake. Never mind. Is not your fault." she remarked, trying to look away from him.

"You need to relax, we're almost getting there; because there is absolutely no way I'm gonna let you miss this trip. So get your head in the game." he assured.

A gunshot followed, two or three passed again into the air. It was Casanova and his troopers trying to frighten him or perhaps to distract them. But he refused to surrender. He kept on running with her and she was crying softly. Before she could say just another word he'd muscled her up and carried her across the threshold, she quickly gripped the hand of the gent inside. No doubt she felt like an helpless baby in those well built muscles. She bet he might have been practicing since his boyhood in a gym competition, for such an unusual contingency before they even met. His warm breath was a least bit marinating her slim body against the cold. As soon as she was received into the cabin from Broderick, the young American gestured a wave at him in the form of high-five. While Broderick gave him a thumbs up in appreciation for his help to Freya too. Few moments later, the train rattled off momentarily into the cold evening, as though it has been waiting for her to get inside first.

Some of the passengers in the cabin just pork their heads round through the windows, and started using their phones to video tape them altogether humorous with quite a humorous goodness. And It didn't even took long enough before he missed a step and fell carelessly on the track. That was a flaw he didn't actually anticipated. It was indeed very humiliating and his head spinning; as though the long forgotten pain has reemerged. The coat got tore immediately under its armpit. But he didn't notice anything besides a slight headache which was resulted from the fall. He slowly got back on his feet while he groaned out of pain.

He could still see her face but in a blur. She shouted and said to him, "Broderick...the phone." But it seems like her words was carried away into the air, and he couldn't hear anything.

"What?" he asked, in a high pitched voice, shedding the sides of his mouth with both hands so that she could hear him clearly.

"I said, I left my phone in your car." she said, a second time, but it seems the speed was now too much, he couldn't figure it out until she faded out of sight.

Later, his mind traveled back to the phone which she'd left behind, and immediately he assumed that could be where the problem lies. A crouch sound of Casanova rifle soon jolted him back to the pending battle between them. He slowly hands up and soothed his ugly face.

"That was pretty close." he told Broderick. Then the troopers giggled sarcastically, Bruce threw away the half burned stick of cigarettes in his mouth; walked up to where he was standing; and threw the first punch. His mouth bled. A second time in his belly. He fell on his knees, groaning and coughing out blood at the same time.

"You think she cares about you? Fool."

"Maybe next time, you'll learn to stay out of other people's business. This isn't some sort of romantic movies that the kids in highschool watch in cinema. You just wanna die playing an hero for someone else you don't even know? Gosh! Listen up, you made me suffer today, I missed my target all because of you. You little dude from downtown can't outsmart me. Casanova runs the hood of Los Bahamas. You let her get away, you shall pay dearly for your sins tonight."

"The dude was pretty smart." Bruce sternly told him.

"I bet luck was on her side otherwise she would have missed. Perhaps I suppose she'll reward you awesomely someday. But I'm afraid to tell you this, I guess you understand that you've been messing around with me lately and now it's jail time dude." Casanova told him with rage. Nodding his head thoughtfully at the same time.

"What? But I didn't commit any crime." Broderick exhaled heavily in a shock. Trying to protest against their unthinkable actions and violation of human right.

"You ought to know that if you mess with the sheriff, you mess with the entire law enforcement agencies in Los Bahamas."

"Apparently, that's an injustice."

"Injustice?" The third man asked, as though in disbelief that sounds so ridiculous. He chuckled softly and said, "Say that to my face and I'm gonna kick your damn piece of shit into jail right away." he added. Then seized his throat and punched him in his belly button twice. Broderick coughed up terrible and stoop so low for a brief moment.

"Guess what dude, we gonna toll your cab back to the station. Until you tell us everything that you know about her. Perhaps, you have no idea what y'all doing earlier and now it's our turn to make you feel pains. The big thing that you should know is that there's no investigation should we pull up the trigger finger at your head." Bruce said. Then he smiled brutally.

"Go get the strap-on, we gonna toll this cab. Bring him with us for interrogation. Perhaps he might have some good information about the girl." Casanova said, then he walked away to the wagon, while Bruce and the other office took care of him.

"Believe me sir, I've got no clue who she is or whatever. She only paid me then asked me to bring her down here to board the train."

"Whoa...just a business." Bruce said, smiling.

"Yeah, that's just the way it is." Broderick replied. Still groaning in excruciating pain.

"Cop trouble? You punched an officer." the other office resolved.

"I never meant hurting anyone when we got there at the checkout line. He started the fight and went pawing through everything." He paused. "I understand that I overreacted early on and that's enough. I don't like to stick my nose in this."

"Who cares about that anymore? You're definitely coming with us to the station and that's all that matters right now." They told him, then led him to the wagon that was already gathering momentum to gear up.

In the meantime, he was instantly detained at the sheriff department, after unjustly spending a night behind bars, they decided to grant him bail and Broderick was later released afterwards.

"So, what do we do with this yank?" Bruce asked. Just as they dragged him out of the lobby at the sheriff department, and he didn't bother to ask what it meant. He was still groaning slightly in pain just as they forcefully pushed him out. They noticed. Then stopped at the lot and chatted a few more minutes, discussing in a low tone. When they were finally done with their conversation, the gentlemen acknowledged each other with a warm handshake before they got back into the building and left him there in pain.

"I bet that would serve him a little lesson." Casanova remarked. Just before he slammed the door behind him angrily.

Few minutes late, after Casanova and his troopers have left him alone, he abruptly opened the door hastily, and hide the phone under the pigeonhole in the dashboard. He closely looked at his reflection in the side mirror, there was blood stained by the side of his mouth. But he didn't bother, shrugged it off and turned the key in the ignition switch; then he slowly geared the car into motion and drove away from the rail station.