The P.U.L.L || #Wattys2017

Chapter 26: No Response!

The three of them looked at each other in despair. Five minutes, that's the only thing that they have left. The trio looked around, hoping to find an exit but to their disappoinment, all the exits were shut. The computer screens began to blink.

Then, a countdown of five minutes began showing on it.

"Five more minutes! And that's it...haha!" The mastermind laughed in the background.

Joshua quickly ran towards the door and tried opening it with his unlocker, but to no avail.

The door didn't open!

Why?! What happened?! My unlocker should work to a door even from the other side! Why didn't it work?! Joshua alarmingly asked himself as he tried over and over again. This shouldn't be happening!

"Why, Joshua? What's wrong?" Rick anxiously asked.

"I cannot unlock the door! My unlocker didn't work!" Joshu exclaimed.

"Ha! You think I didn't prepare countermeasures for that technique of yours, huh? The three of you can't do anything since I already know everything about you! Heard it all from your parents, of course!" The mastermind's voice echoed in the room.

.....

The mastermind sat in ease on his chair, glad that his plans are working out pretty well. It took him a long time to prepare his plans; from abducting their parents, to harassing them with the PULL, he thought everything out. And now that his plans are working out fine, he couldn't help but relax. He took one long look at the computer screen in front of him, showing a footage of three teenagers, desperately trying to get out of the room. That countdown really puts the pressure on them. The mastermind thought as he smiled at himself.

"Sir, are  you really going to blow those kids out?" A man behind him curiously asked.

"Of course not! I need them in my plans! They are the keys to the PULL's success and development. I couldn't just blow them out!" The mastermind exclaimed.

"But what's the countdown for?" The guy asked.

"Oh, I'll blow the side of the wall so they could get away." The mastermind simply answered.

"What?! You're going to let them go away! After planning everything so hard!" 

"Relax, these are all according to my plans." The mastermind reassured him. "And this would show your loyalty to me, Karl Tratzky." He smirked.

"I led them to that trap, right? Isn't that enough?" Karl fiercely smiled.

"Um, I guess you're right, I'll give you the benefit of a doubt since you willingly trapped them, even after knowing that I'll blow them up. Of course, I tried to test your loyalty by saying that I'll blow them up awhile ago." The mastermind said.

"So, you aren't going to blow them up, right? What would you do after making them escape?" A woman, beside Karl Tratzky, asked.

"Let them return home, of course! I just hope that they are smart enough to figure out why you aren't home, Mr. and Mrs. Tratzky."

 With that, Mr. and Mrs. Tratzky, including the mastermind, continued watching the three teenagers on the computer screen.

.....

"What do we do?!" Emma asked. "Can you try opening it with your unlocker thing-y again, Joshua?" 

"It won't open!"

"Yup...I also tried using brute force to open it, but it won't budge." Ricky informed them. "This is probably the end of our ropes." He sighed.

...3...2...1...

Explosion!

Joshua, Rick, and Emma closed their eyes as heaps of rubble began spraying everywhere. A huge explosion could be heard, making their ears ring in pain. A few debris left a few scratches on their arms and legs.

But they were still alive!

Wait? What just happened?! I clearly heard and felt the explosion, but why aren't we dead yet? I thought this place was going to be blown to bits? Joshua asked himself, trying  to make heads or tails in their current situation.

"Rick, Emma, are you two okay?" Joshua coughed.

"Yup we're still alive, surprisingly." Emma replied.

"Still fine here! Just a few scratches here and there."

Joshua looked around, trying to find out what happened in the place. As the dust began to clear up, Joshua gaped in disbelief as he found a huge hole in the wall that leads to a clear field, behind the Quiller's house.

"Guys! I don't know what happened, but this is our chance!" Rick exclaimed. "Let's get out of here."

"No need to tell us, Rick! Let's go!" Emma shouted.

After checking out the area, Joshua headed through the hole while motioning for Rick and Emma to follow along. The three of them cautiously walked and scanned the area, hoping to find a few of the mastermind's henchmen, waiting for them.

To their relief they found no one.

Wait?! Joshua thought. Something's definitely here! I could feel it, but I can't see any movements! Whatever that is, we better hurry!

"Rick, Emma, we need to go! Let's run! I could feel something strange in this place." Joshua commented.

"What do you mean? I don't see anyone here." Rick asked.

"Let's just trust Joshua on this, Rick. Let's go!" Emma said. "For now, let's go to that undergrowth over there. That would give us plenty of cover if anyone would try to sneak up on us." Emma pointed at the undergrowth in front of them.

Joshua and Rick nodded at her as they ran toward the undergrowth. 

Vroom!

Suddenly, they heard a revving of engines, a few ignition, and a steady slashing sound as if a helicopter was taking off. Joshua, Rick and Emma stopped in their tracks after hearing the strange noises.

To their amazement, a helicopter flew right above them and pointed a searchlight at them. A few headlights began blinking from afar as the revving of engines began to get louder than ever. The three of them, quite taken aback by the occurrence, began to fix their stares on the searchlight.

"Guys, I think we need to go now." Emma told them.

In a flash the three of them began running towards the part of the undergrowth where there aren't any headlights. To their disappointment, however, the helicopter continued to track them, making the other pursuers easily pinpoint their location. 

Phew! It would have been easy running away from people. But a helicopter and a few cars?! It's not impossible but it would be very hard. Joshua thought as he gritted his teeth.

"Rick, Emma! We need to run as fast as we can and get to your Uncle's place. That way, we would be safe." Joshua suggested.

"Oh, okay! I'll try calling him now through the walkie-talkie." Emma replied. "Hello, uncle! Hello, we're heading back and we have pursuers. Over!"

Static...

"Uncle, we need back up! We are being pursued by the enemy. Over!" Emma worriedly shouted at the walkie-talkie.

"Why, what's wrong, Emma?" Joshua asked.

"No one's responding!" Emma anxiously answered.