No Turning Back (The Traveler) Read Online Free PDF Page A

back out on the road.”
    His partner prepared his gun under the seat and took a deep breath with a slow nod. He was still trying to build up his nerves. “All right,” he muttered. “Let’s do what we need to do.”
    As soon as Gabrielle merged onto Interstate 64 in her Volvo, she remembered she hadn’t filled up her tank while rushing to keep her schedule that morning. She looked down at her fuel gauge. She had less than a quarter of a tank.
    “I can make it a few exits,” she told herself, driving west toward home.
    By the time she approached Shelbyville, her gauge was on empty and she needed to use the restroom. She pulled into the first gas station to her right and stopped at a self-serve island. She used her credit card to fill up with premium gas. She then walked into the gas station convenience store to use the restroom.
    Gabrielle walked out, refreshed with clean hands, and returned to her car to drive off. Right after making her left turn into the street, the stop light changed from yellow to red, forcing her to pump the breaks.
    Dammit, I just missed it
. She relaxed behind the wheel, awaiting the light to turn green.
At least it’s a beautiful day out—bright sunshine on a perfect Saturday
.
    Gabrielle smiled, no longer feeling anxious to rush home. She figured she’d take her time and enjoy the drive. Gary wasn’t going anywhere. His record shop didn’t close until eight o’clock on Saturdays.
    Less than twenty feet away from Gabrielle’s Volvo, the two fugitives prepared to make their move from the parked Saturn.
    “You don’t want that car, do you?” the passenger asked with wide eyes. “Those things have those self-locking doors, and it’s too fancy. We’ll draw too much attention,” he panicked.
    The driver thought more about the moment. It was perfect. The Volvo was stuck at the light with a lone driver, and no other cars were approaching.
    Hell, it’s either now or never!
he calculated
. And it’s a woman!
So he pushed the door open and barked, “Let’s go!”
    His skittish partner had no choice but to rush into action behind him. They had no time to waste.
    “Hurry up and put the gun to her window,” the bolder crook demanded.
    His younger partner did it quickly.
    “Open the door or you’re dead! We only want the car!” the bold man yelled through the rolled up window and locked door.
    Gabrielle heard the man’s grave and urgent demand from behind her wheel. She turned to face the two baseball-hat-wearing assailants to her left and spotted the wide-open barrel of a gun placed against her driver’s side window. The barrel was pointed right at her head, just inchesaway. All she could imagine was a swift bullet splattering her brains all over the car. Even with the window rolled up, the gun was too close for her to duck for cover.
    Stay calm, they only want the car,
she repeated to herself.
Don’t make any rash moves.
    “Hurry up and get over!” the man shouted through the window.
    Gabrielle calmly pressed the button to open her car doors before placing the gear in park. She then moved over into the passenger seat while praying that a police squad car would show up to catch them.
    Where are the state troopers when you need them?
    The lead man rushed to open the driver side door and jumped into the car behind the wheel. His gun-holding partner leaped into the back, and before Gabrielle could jump out on the passenger side, her green Volvo was headed down the ramp for I-64 West, ahead of the green light.
    Okay, just remain calm,
she told herself.
You want to remain rational.
    As they made it onto the expressway, the gun-holding man in the backseat asked her, “You got any money in your purse? Where’s your cell phone?”
    Gabrielle hesitated before she moved to gather her purse and cell phone.
    “Don’t touch anything, just give it to me!” the gun-holder shouted at her.
    She did as she was told and passed her purse to him in the backseat.
    The driver kept silent and paid