Looking at my phone, I brought up the text thread the I had with my parents. - Hey, I just wanted let you two know that I love you. Thanks for being the best parents a guy could ask for. -
-I love you too. - My mom replied. All my dad sent was a big thumbs up. I sighed as I realized it wasn't much of a goodbye message, but I didn't want them freaking out. As I descended the stairs, I started going through photos on my phone, remembering times with friends and family. I felt heaviness in my heart, but I couldn't think of a way out of this. I'll do my best to avoid them, but that's a lot of trucks down there. I wish I knew why they were after me.
I stopped walking when I came to a picture of me and my friend, Hailey. She was the only girl in our little parkour group and I had a mad crush on her. Had it since the moment we met, but I was always too nervous to act on it. I didn't want to ruin anything. I guess that makes me a coward. I'm not being a coward now, so might as well keep it going.
- Hailey, I'm sorry it took so long for me to do this, but do you want to go on date with me? - I hit send before I could think about it, but then immediately regretted it. If these trucks really do kill me, I just added more grief to her. I messed up, crap. Well, it was too late to take it back. The little ellipses showing that she was typing showed up on my screen. If she says no, it won't be so bad if I don't make it. Please say no, please say no, please say no.
- Why did it take you so long? I've been waiting for years. So, yes, when do you want to go? My schedule is open. -
Crap! I closed my eyes and hit my forehead with my fist. This was not how I wanted this to go. I need to respond. - I'm not able to figure that out right now. I'll text you later and we'll decide. -
-Great! 😀 -
I shook my head as I continued down the stairs. Beating up myself over this won't do any good. It does feel good to know that she wants this too. Knowing that lights a fire under me. If I can get out of here, I have a date with Hailey. I need to live! I need to show these trucks that they're not going to take me down. My phone rang and I saw that it was Nick.
"Made it to your car?"
"Dude, there's nobody driving those trucks."
I chuckled. "I know."
"What is going on?"
"Trucks have been trying to kill me for the last six months," I explained. "Don't ask me why, it just started."
"What? That doesn't make any sense," Nick went quiet for a second. "Has it only been these types of delivery trucks?"
"Yeah. Does that mean something?"
Nick burst out laughing. "The universe is trying to truck-kun you."
"Truck-kun?"
"Dude! Did you never read any of the Mangas or watch any of the Animes we told you about?"
"No, I rather play video games."
"Don't be surprised if you end up waking up in another world, man." Nick said.
"Dude, that's fiction."
"I thought trucks driving themselves to an abandon building complex would be fiction too, but here we are...What is going on?" Nick muttered. "Did you ask Hailey out? She's blowing up my texts."
I smiled. "Yeah, I did."
"Why? You're about to die."
"I need motivation to stay alive."
"...That's fair."
I stepped out of the stairway onto the second floor and found that the courtyard below me was ringed by trucks. The air was filled with the sound of their engines, and I could feel their stares as I stood at the top of the escalator. "Nick, keep the car running and the door open. When I get out of here, we're gonna have to run."
"Sure thing."
"And Nick..."
"Yeah?"
"If I don't make it, make sure my body gets home," I told him. "And tell Hailey I'm sorry I couldn't make it."
"You're gonna make it dude. You got this."
"Yeah..." I ended the call and slipped the phone into my pocket. Several of the trucks jerked forward, ready to start. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. My heart is trying to beat itself right out of my chest. As I felt my adrenaline flow through my system, a smile creped onto my face. I can do this. These trucks got nothing on me. Nick is waiting for me, and I've got a date with a beautiful girl. What did Nick call it? Getting Truck-kuned? Well, Truck-kun, you're gonna have to work for it if you want me.
So be it.
My eyes grew wide as I heard a response in my head. I shook myself and focused. I didn't need the distraction. I'd worry about it after I got away. As I looked down to the ground level, I was trying to map my way out. There were many fountains and raised concrete platforms, but open areas separated most of them and I wouldn't be able to maintain the momentum to jump over all those wide spaces. There were a few tables, but those wouldn't protect me. I studied the trucks that were waiting, and all of them had big cargo boxes behind the cab. Those flat tops would be perfect for running on. I think the only way out of this was to use the enemy against itself. If I could get on top of one, maybe I could jump from truck to truck.
I ran down the escalators and one of the trucks jumped forward, knocking tables and chairs out of its way. Several others followed it. It was going to try and hit me as I came out. If I play this right, I could get up onto this first truck. The angle of the truck would make it pass in front of the escalator in time to hit me. As I got to the bottom, I jumped up on the railing and hopped across the stairs. I planted my feet on the other railing and pushed off it as hard as I could toward the other escalator. The truck passed by and ran right into the railing of the other escalator, coming to a stop. My jump brought me to the side of the truck and I grabbed the top, pulling myself on top of it.
Almost all of the trucks were now moving, and one was coming right for me. Obviously, they had no problem hitting each other. I took a couple steps and jumped right before the other truck rammed into the truck I was on. I landed on the other one as it settled back on to the ground and ran toward the end. A truck was coming right behind it and I had to jump before I reached the end of the cargo box. If another truck hit the one I was on before I jumped, I would lose all my forward momentum and wouldn't be able clear the gap. Luckily, the truck beneath me was pushed forward and I was able to land on top of the other's cargo box. As I landed, I could see two other trucks rushing toward me and the open parking lot with Nick's car idling not too far away. I would see my friend's amazed expression through the open door. I jumped to the first truck and then to the second. I could feel the elation inside me as I jumped off the top of the last truck. I was going to make it!
Then I noticed motion to my side and saw the front of a truck heading my way. Of course, there had to be a smart one that waited to see what I was doing. I could tell that it would hit me as I landed. Time seemed to slow down as I floated through the air, unable to stop myself or change my direction. Disappointment ran through me as the flat face of the truck drew closer to me. I was really looking forward to going on a date with Hailey.