
     ,,f|r
  ,ord1l ,at ,o',h>e
  ,judd & ,vicki r1*$ ! 5tr.e road 6,o',h>e1 j pa/ ,mannheim ,road1 late 9 ! ev5+1 ab ! "t ,lionel & ,ryan 7 h1d+ back 6,m.t ,prospect f,*icago4
  ,judd _h n"e se5 any?+ l ? 9 8 life4 ,he & ,vicki f.d !mvs w&}+1 al;g ) hundr$s1 maybe ?|s&s ( o!rs1 :o 7 -+ 6or go+ f ! giant airport =a v>iety ( r1sons4 ,_m1 x 0 cle>1 _h -e 6,o',h>e hop+ 6f9d a fr or lov$ "o alive4 ,! p -+ ! o!r way1 ~? exit+ ! airport1 _h ei be5 una# 6get _! c>s | (! p>k+ g>age or una# 6f9d taxi or limo 6get !m home4
  ,x 0 h>d = ,judd 6imag9e h{ any"o cd hope 6get | ( ? place 9 a c>4 ,tra6ic 0 jamm$ 9 & | (! place1 & temp}s ran %ort4 ,all >.d !m1 ,judd & ,vicki cd he> p %|t+ at ea* o!r4 ,! o3a.nal limo or cab wd br1k f ! pack & race al;g ! grassy m$ian & up onto ,mannheim ,road or ano!r >t}y4
  ,z !y got clos} & clos} 6! massive p>k+ g>age1 ,judd /ruck up 3v}s,ns ) o!rs :o 7 on mis.ns simil> 6his4 8,doesn't look l we're gonna 2 gett+ |r c>s | ( "h tn10 a mi4le-ag$ man gr|s$ 6,judd4
  8,nope10 ,judd sd4 8,b ,i h 6try anyway40
  8,i see lots ( activ;y up "!1 cranes1 t{ trucks1 cops4 ,i don't "k :at !y're do+40
  8,i don't ei10 ,judd sd4 8,i p>k$ at ! 5d ( "o r{1 s maybe ,i'll get lucky40
  8,don't c.t on x40
  ,at ! p>k+ g>age1 cops ) bullhorns 7 /,n$ at ! 5tr.e4 ,judd he>d "o expla9 ! process4 8,y're free 6g sit 9 yr c>1 if y wi%10 ! cop sd4 8,b don't />t ! 5g9e until y see a cle> pa?way 6! exit ramp4 ,s f> only ~? p>k$ on levels "o & two h ev5 a *.e ( gett+ | 96! tra6ic jam "h1 & y c see y're n go+ 6get f> anyway40
  8,i'm on level two10 ,judd told ,vicki4 8,maybe !y've cle>$ ! way = me40
  ,! cop told "ey"o ! elevators 7 n runn+1 ! pay boo?s 7 wide op51 & t any loot}s or suspect$ c> ?ieves wd 2 %ot on si<t4
  ,all ov} ! multi/ory g>age1 "w}s labor$ 6cle> c>s ~: driv}s _h 4appe>$4 ,hundr$s ( c>s _h be5 -+ 96& l1v+ ! g>age :5 ! ,rapture _h o3urr$4 ,a ll less ?an a qu>t} ( ~? vehicles _h be5 mann$ 0p :o 7 n{ g"o4 ,_! c>s _h 3t9u$ until !y /ruck o!r c>s or walls1 & "! !y sat1 idl+ until !y 7 | ( gas4
  ,"s ( ~? c>s _h app>5tly _h full tanks ( gas1 & if !y 7 / runn+1 "w}s 7 a# 6move !m4 ,! bi7e/ job 0 f9d+ a place = all ~? empty c>s1 j 6get !m | (! way4 ,a l;g walkway snak$ f ! g>age 6! taxicab /ag+ >ea1 : 0 empty4 ,all ! cabs & ca2ies sw>m$ ! de"pure & >rival levels1 seek+ rid}s4
  ,( c|rse1 _m (! cab driv}s _h 4appe>$ z well4 ,=tunately1 ) s _m o!rs 9 ! imm >ea :5 t happ5$1 ? _h result$ 9 j a bun* ( f5d} b5d}s4 ,o!r ca2ies _h gra2$ ~? idl+ hacks & gott5 !m | (! way4
  ,judd %u4}$ z he & ,vicki walk$ "? ! g>age1 pass+ c>s ) full suits ( clo!s 9 ! driv}'s s1t4 ,he saw ! o3a.nal c> )a /unn$ or weep+ p}son :o 0 sitt+ atop "s"o else's clo!s1 try+ 6maneuv} ! c> | (! tangl$ mess4
  ,"ey":1 "w}s 7 a4+ a gallon or two ( gas 6c>s t _h idl$ _! fuel away4 ,! "w}s all wore surgical gloves & masks1 no "o "k+ :at g}ms or 41ses mi<t h be5 left 0:at"e x 0 t _h made ~! p 4appe>4 ,judd knew "! 0 no?+ 6be afraid (1 b he cdn't blame ! em}g5cy p}sonnel = 2+ c>e;l4
  ,at "o 5d (! p>k+ g>age1 a huge crane _h be5 br"| in1 probably f a 3/ruc;n site at ! airport4 ,x 0 2+ us$ 6lift c>s ov} ! gu>drail & set !m g5tly d{n 9 an >ea ne> ! 5d (! g>age4  ,:5 ,judd f.d 8 "f's c> at ! 5d ( "o r{1 he r1liz$ he 0 n 9 an advantage|s posi;n4 ,f|r c>s block$ his1 & 9 ! r{ he wd h 6r1* 6get 6! exit1 "w}s 7 labor+ ov} a gridlock ( /eel4 ,a ,*evy ,blaz} ~: driv} _h 4appe>$ _h climb$ "o (! -b9,n wood & /eel p>k+ gu>drails & hung xf up4 ,x 0 / idl+4
  ,judd c>e;lly survey$ ! situ,n4 ,f|r c>s 7 l9$ up bump} 6bump} f ! wall at ! 5d (! l9e ": he _h p>k$4 ,!y ext5d$ back pa/ ": he ne$$ 6back up4 8,vicki10 he sd1 8d y ?9k if we cd get all f|r ( ~? c>s pu%$ back1 ,i cd get | ( t p>k+ spot80
  8,i don't "k10 %e sd4 8,let's walk x (f & m1sure x40
  ,"! 0 a gap 2t ! la/ ( ~? f|r c>s &a sma%$ up mess 2h !m4 ,! "q was1 0 ! gap wide 5 = all f|r c>s8 ,m1sur+ x ) _! /eps1 ,judd & ,vicki came 6! 3clu.n t "! 0 room =! f|r c>s1 b n m* room = ,judd 6back |4 ,he wd h 6d x 9 s"eal moves if he cd d x at all4 ,!y _h 6try4 8,we'll j h 6take !m "o at a "t10 ,judd sd4 ,he pe}$ 96! w9d{ (! la/ c> 9 l9e4 ,"! 7 no clo!s on ! s1t4 ,! 5g9e 0 (f1 b ! keys 7 / 9 ! igni;n4 8,? m/ h be5 "s"o :o panick$ & ran (f10 he sd4 8,lucky = u !y left _! keys40
  ,judd />t$ ! 5g9e & back$ ! c> up z f> z possi#4 ,he sl{ly maneuv}$ x until x tapp$ ! f/ c> 9 xs way4 8,! next c> is / runn+60 ,vicki %|t$4 8,back x up "h10 ,judd sd4
  8,i've n"e driv510 ,vicki sd4 8,y'd bett} d x40
  ,judd jo7$ up & op5$ ! door1 qkly r1liz+ :y ,vicki didn't ev5 want 6try4 ,? c> 0 full ( empty clo!s4 ,9 ! driv}'s s1t 0 a woman's suit4 ,h} %oes 7 on ! floor4 ,atop ! clo!s 7 h} glasses1 necklace1 e>r+s1 & "s?+ t appe>$ 6h fall5 f h} hair4 ,z usual1 ,judd f.d d5tal fill+s4 ,on ! floor1 ne> ! %oes1 7 ! woman's wat* & r+s4
  ,judd smell$ p}fume4 ,he held 8 br1?4 ,n want+ 6/ep on h} 2l;g+s1 he ga!r$ !m up & set !m 2t ! two front s1ts4 ,on ! pass5g} side1 a man's suit & 8 2l;g+s 7 drap$ ": he _h sat4 ,judd gl.ed 9 ! backs1t1 ": two p :o _h be5 sitt+ close _h left "ey?+ b fle% & b"o4
  ,t gave ,judd ! willies1 b he _h 6d :at he _h 6d4 ,he depress$ ! brake1 %ift$ f drive 96rev}se1 & back$ ! c> | (! way4
  ,! next c> _h xs =m}ly l"o o3upant's clo!s on ! s1t 2h ! :eel4 ,judd toss$ ~! onto ! pass5g} side & kick$ ! %oes | (! way4 ,! c> 0 9 drive &! key 0 on1 b x _h run | ( gas4 8,i'm gonna ne$ yr help "h1 ,vicki10 he sd4 8,i'm go+ 6%ift ? 96neutral1 !n ,i'm gonna ne$ y 6/e} x :ile ,i try 6pu%1 x back 96~? o!r "os40
  8,i re,y don't want 6be 9 t c> ) ~? clo!s10 ,vicki sd4 8,anyway1 ,i've n"e driv540
  8,? isn't driv+10 ,judd sd4 8,y'll j 2 keep+ x /rai<t until x t|*es t c> back "!40
  8,pl1se6 ,i re,y don't want 6d ?40
  8,well1 :at d y su7e/8 ,h{ >e we go+ 6get | ( "h if y don't help me80
  8,let me pu%10 %e sd4 8,y /e}40
  8,we c try10 ,judd sd1 8b ,i don't ?9k y r1lize h{ h1vy ? c> is40
  8,i'm pretty /r;g40
  8,suit yrf4 ,try x40
  ,judd put ! c> 9 neutral1 & ,vicki climb$ atop ! hood4 ,%e put h} feet on ! trunk (! c> ah1d & w$g$ h}f 2t ! two c>s4 ,%e pu%$ ) all h} mi<t1 try+ 6roll ! c> backw>d4 ,x wdn't budge4 ,judd op5$ ! door & put 8 foot on ! floor 6help pu% t way4 ,no?+4 8,i'm bi7} ?an y >e1 ,vicki4 ,let me try pu%+ :ile y /e}40
  8,i told y ,i'm n gett+ 9 t c>1 & ,i'm n4 ,?9k ( "s?+ else40
  8,"! is no?+ else4 ,:at >e we suppos$ 6d80
  8,j make sure ! :eels >e /rai<t1 ,judd4 ,!n we c bo? pu%4 ,s :at if x hits ~? c>s back "!8 ,xs n go+ 6move un.s we bo? pu% x anyway40
  ,judd cdn't >gue ) t4 ,)|t ! 5g9e runn+1 ! p{} /e}+ did n "w4 ,/rai<t5+ ! :eels ( t c> 0 l driv+ a truck ) no p{} /e}+ at all4 ,x took all ( ,judd's mi<t 6get ! :eels 6turn a c|ple ( 9*es4 ,he _h 6keep gett+ | 6*eck :e!r !y 7 l9$ up4 ,:5 !y 7 /rai<t1 he jo9$ ,vicki on ! bump}s 2t ! c>s4 ,) bo? ( !m putt+ _! 5tire wei<t & muscle 2t ! c>s1 ! "o f9,y 2gan 6sl{ly roll4 ,)9 seconds x _h pick$ up a ll spe$1 & ,judd & ,vicki dropp$ d{n f _! p}* on ! second c>4 ,judd ran 6! driv}'s side & :ipp$ op5 ! door1 feel+ ! trem5d|s wei<t & mo;tum (! vehicle4 ,z x ne>$ ! c> 2h x1 ,judd jump$ in4 ,b 2f he cd apply ! brake or %ift 96p>k1 ! c> sma%$ 96! grille (! vehicle 2h x4
  ,n{ "! 0 b>ely 5 room left 2t t c> &! "o press$ up ag/ ! wall ne> ,judd's4 ,:at tricky pro#m mi<t t (f}8
  ,judd notic$ t ! front tires (! la/ c> 7 turn$ %>ply 6! left4 ,"! 7 no clo!s on ! s1t4 ,no keys 9 ! igni;n4 ,&! doors 7 lock$4 8,? 0 obvi|sly 2+ driv5 0 "s"o :o _h j />t$ 6turn left t{>d ! exit :5 he 0 hit f 2h 0t o!r c>40
  8,s he j left80 ,vicki sd4
  8,wdn't y h8 ,y get hit 0a c> f 2h & pl{ 96! ce;t wall4 ,y get | 6see :at happ5$ &! c> 2h y gets hit &! c> 2h t "o gets hit4 ,"! >e no driv}s 9 ! mi4le two c>s1 only clo!s4 ,! driv} (! la/ c> runs (f1 l1v+ 8 keys 9 x4 ,:at wd y d80
  8,i guess ,i mi<t turn m9e (f1 take my keys1 & lock my doors too10 ,vicki admitt$4
  8,i'm go+ 6h 6br1k ! w9d{ 6get 96? c>10 ,judd sd4 ',i don't "k m* ab c>s10 ,vicki sd1 8b :at gd w x d y 6get 96t c> if ! keys >5't "!80
  8,gd po9t10 ,judd sd4 8,b "sh{ ,i've got 6get ? c> | (! way if we're go+ 6get | ( ? p>k+ lot40
  ,judd & ,vicki /ood "! survey+ ! situ,n & siz+ up ! possibilities4 8,"!'s no way y're go+ 6be a# 6back | ( yr space )|t at l1/ clipp+ ! bump} ( t c>10 ,vicki sd4 8,d y ?9k yr c> cd pu% t "o | (! way a ll bit8 ,y'd / h a t|< "t back+ | & gett+ >.d x1 b x may 2 yr only *.e40
  8,no h>m 9 try+10 ,judd sd4 8,i c't ?9k ( any?+ else40
  ,judd told ,vicki 6l9e h}f up ne> ! cra%$ c> & try 6guide hm ) h& signals s he wd -e z close 6miss+ x z possi#4 ,if he _h 6hit x1 he'd hit x4 ,if he _h 6hit x h>d1 he'd d t too4 ,:at"e x took 6pu% x | (! way1 t 0 :at he _h 6d4
  ,judd got 96his c> & />t$ ! 5g9e4 ,he look$ 9 8 re>view mirror & didn't see ,vicki4 ,he look$ at ! mirror on ! door & saw h} /&+ "!1 mo;n+ hm 6/>t back+ |4 ,he pret5d$ 6busy hmf ) "s?+ else 9 ! c> on ! s1t4 ,he _h 6/all4 ,x wasn't t he didn't want 6d ?1 x 0 j t he 0 su45ly ov}come )a feel+ ( s* sad;s & l"oli;s & grief t he cd b>ely move4
  ,:at 0 x ab m}ely 2+ 9side ! c> ) ,vicki |tside t made hm feel s al"o8 ,x 0 alm z if he 0 9 a tr.e4 ,he / l;g$ = ? 6be j a bad dr1m1 b he knew x wasn't4 ,he 0 tir$1 ,he want$ 6l1n ov} & put 8 h1d on ! pass5g} s1t & close 8 eyes4 ,he f"| te>s4 ,he f"| dr{si;s4 ,he he>d ,vicki call |1 8,,ok6 ,,ok ,judd60
  ,he wav$ & %ift$ 96rev}se4 ,judd sl{ly 2gan 6back |1 c>e;lly wat*+ ,vicki's signals4 ,%e made a circul> mo;n ) h} 9dex f+}1 & he turn$ ! :eel4 ,x 0 ! wr;g way4 ,%e qkly rev}s$ ! mo;n4 ,he felt 8 c> nudge ! "o next 6hm4 ,he pull$ back 9 & /rai<t5$ |1 tak+ ano!r %ot at x4 ,? "t he turn$ ! o!r way & %e signal$ hm until he 0 )9 9*es (! cra%$ c> 2h hm4 ,he roll$ d{n 8 w9d{4 8,no way 6cle> x80 he ask$4
  8,no way10 %e sd4 8,let me get a l9e on x1 !n10 he sd4 ,i want 6h ! /rai<te/ %ot at t bump} ,i c get 9 ? small space40
  8,back /rai<t up f ": y >e !n10 ,vicki sd4
  ,:5 ,judd did1 ! bump} ( 8 c> f9,y nudg$ ! c> 9 ! way4 8,i'm gonna g back up 6! gu>drail n{10 he sd4 8,let me "k if ,i get | ( l9e40 ,judd $g$ =w>d sl{ly4 ,at "o po9t ,vicki sd1 8,"r1 "r1 "r40 ,judd f1!r$ ! /e}+ :eel 6! "r4 8,p}fect10 ,vicki sd4 8,z soon z y t|* ! gu>drail1 y're "r 9 l9e40
  8,y'd bett} get | (! way1 !n10 ,judd sd4 8,i'm go+ 6h 6ram x40
  ,he wait$ until ,vicki 0 cle>4 ,) 8 s1t belt fa/5$1 ,judd took a deep br1?1 grimac$1 & clos$ 8 eyes4 ,he floor$ ! a3el}ator4
  ,)a squ1l ( tires1 a cra%1 &a scrap+1 ! block+ c> 0 driv5 | (! way4 ,vicki yelp$1 & ,judd didn't "k if x 0 | ( fe> or excite;t4 ,:i*"e1 _! ll plan _h su3e$$1 at l1/ =! mo;t4
  ,%e jump$ 96! pass5g}'s side & buckl$ h}f in4 ,judd 0 a# 6back | ( 8 p>k+ space 2h ! c> he _h j pu%$ & wd h 6keep bump+ x 6give hm room 6get >.d x & h1d t{>d ! exit4 ,once he did t1 x appe>$ he _h a fairly cle> %ot pa/ ! pay boo?s & 96! gridlock ( tra6ic t appe>$ 6h mov$ h>dly an 9* s9ce ? :ole ord1l _h 2gun4 ',vicki put h} h& on ,judd's >m4 ,he /opp$ ab six feet back ( ": em}g5cy crews 7 / try+ 6extricate ! idl+ ,blaz} f ! gu>drail4 8,x looks cle>10 ,judd sd4 8,i'm sure we c get pa/40
  8,i "k10 %e sd4 8,i j ?"| maybe we %d ?ank ,god = help+ u get | ( "h400
  ,judd no4$ & b{$ 8 h1d1 wond}+ if %e m1nt he %d pray al|d1 or if %e 0 go+ to1 or :at8 ,:5 %e sd no?+1 he 2gan4 8,"l1 ?anks4 ,we didn't "k :at to--0
  ,a ne>ly d1f5+ 5g9e ro> & hi<pit*$ squ1l made ,judd jump1 & he look$ up j 9 "t 6see "w}s div+ | (! way (! ,blaz}4 ,x _h be5 lodg$ 96! gu>drail at a crazy angle1 & app>5tly "s"o decid$ 6set "s?+ on ! a3el}ator & %ift x 96ge> :ile o!rs attempt$ 6rock x free4
  ,:at"e !y _h lodg$ ag/ ! gas p$al _h made ! 5g9e race at top spe$4 ,?ree :eels spun crazily1 caus+ ! scree*+1 b ! f|r? bit deep 96! rail4 ,! ,blaz} %u4}$ & %ook1 appe>+ z if x mi<t explode4 ,! tires s5t smelly smoke "ey":4
   ,z ,judd & ,vicki wat*$1 ! /uck tire "sh{ 4lodg$ & s5t ! ,blaz} nose f/ 96! l{ 3crete ceil+ )a horrific cra%4 ,all f|r :eels n{ burn+ ru2}1 ! empty ,blaz} hit ! floor1 b|nc+ & c>e5+ 96! c>s >.d x4
  ,! f|r-:eel-drive vehicle lur*$ directly 9 front ( ,judd1 slamm$ ! next gu>drail1 & flipp$ ov} =w>d1 l&+ atop ! la/ c> he _h mov$4 x drove ! ro( ( t c> all ! way 6! s1t & re/$ atop ! wreckage1 tires / rac+4 ,! "w}s spr9t$ 6! cra%1 & "o r1*$ 9 6turn (f ! 5g9e4
  ,judd sat "! ) 8 m|? op54 ,he turn$ 6look at ,vicki1 ~: eyes 7 wide & unbl9k+4 8,we cd h be5 kill$10 %e sd4 8,if t _h happ5$ a c|ple ( m9utes ago1 we wd 2 d1d = sure40
  8,j ?9k if we _h gott5 "h e>li}10 ,judd sd1 8& _hn't rcvd ,*ri/ yet40
  ,n{ ,judd knew exactly h{ 6pray1 & "! 0 no awkw>d;s or wond}+ h{ 6beg94
  ,"! 0 a c}ta9 s5se ( freedom 9 2+ a# 6drive ev5 ~? few y>ds f ! tangl$ g>age & 96! /all$ tra6ic1 b ,judd knew t !y wdn't 2 gett+ f> v fa/ t ni<t4 ,6hm1 ? tra6ic jam 0 j l 8 new life4 ,he knew ": he 0 go+1 b he _h no idea h{ he 0 go+ 6get "!1 or :54
