The soldier explained that only people that were on the clipboard would be allowed to enter Haven. A feeling of anger rushed over me. I started to yell in frustration; after everything we had been through, how could they deny us entry? I noticed that the third guard walked in front of the bus with his weapon ready to fire. They were moving into position to attack.
I had to bite my tongue and think of something to get us inside. I sat there in the dark for a short time. Eventually, I asked who the people on the clipboard were. The guard, at my side, explained that the remaining governing body of the United States and the ultra-rich were the only ones that would have their names on the list.
I turned toward Michael and told him to wake the others and have them lie down on the floor of the bus, cover up with whatever they could find, and let me know when they were done. As they moved around the vehicle, gathering what they could find to cover with, I continued to sit there as the third guard moved next to the door with his rifle shouldered and ready. The soldier that was next to me, yelled to start my engine and turn around. They didn’t want trouble.
Without a word, I started the motor and let it idle. I looked out the window and told the guard that I would comply with their order and turn around. I started to race the engine which made the soldiers panic. They began to yell out commands, but by this time, I had the bus' RPM's so high that I could not make out what they were saying.
Just when tension was at its highest, I heard my son say that they were ready. Then all in one motion, I downshifted and punched the accelerator. Before anyone was sure what was going on, the bus was moving forward. I hit the guard that was in front of me dead on. He never knew what hit him as his blood splattered the front end of the vehicle. The sound of rapid gunfire echoed out from behind me. I yelled for everyone to stay down.
I saw a chain-linked fence that divided the Free Zone and Haven. I pushed the accelerator a bit more and headed straight for the fourth guard that held the metal clipboard. I motioned to him to move out of the way, but he was frozen with fear. When he realized what was happening, it was too late. The soldier let out a blood curdling squeal before the bus toppled over him. It was like hitting an oversized speed bump.
The vehicle shifted up and down while bullets zinged through its metal frame. I realized that they were now more people firing at us. I looked up at my rearview and watched the speeding projectiles slice through the bus' fake leather seats as its content was spewed all over the place.
I screamed out in pain as one of the stray bullets hit my left shoulder. My second yell came when another bullet forced its way through the driver's seat into my abdomen. I was struck three more times before I crashed through the fence that led into Haven. I fought with all my might to remain conscious. When the bus finally came to a stop, I wasn't able to move. I recall calling out to the others and, from what I could tell, everyone was all right.
I remember thinking to myself that I had done it. We made it into Haven! Before I blacked out, the bus was raided. Several armed soldiers surrounded me, screaming and yelling, but then everything slipped away.
