Nirvana Effect

72



In the confusion, Edward was left for dead. He certainly looked dead. He wasn’t moving or even breathing for that matter.

James had grabbed him and heaved him up on his shoulder, running as fast as he could with Callista leading the way. Manassa had given no order about the whites, and no one seemed to be paying them any mind. The Onge’s attention was riveted closer to the shore, where the skiffs had run aground to pick up their passengers and where fighting was still raging on.

James heaved Edward into the bed of the old red F-150 that had carried him in. Callista got into the back with Edward, lying low so as not to be seen. James started driving.

No one noticed them as they pulled off. James checked the rear view mirror. He heard a thud and saw a blur of dark skin.

A native had jumped onto the truck bed from out of nowhere. James slammed the brakes and leaned out of the window, frantically trying to see what was going on. Callista waved him off. It was that native that had saved Edward’s life.

James punched the accelerator. He didn’t want any more random natives joining them. His passengers bounced violently in the truck bed, trying to hold on as best they could.

The headlights of a couple cars flicked on. Maybe they were trying to follow them. It didn’t matter – James had gotten some distance. The Ford would outpace those cars on the rough terrain.