Support had arrived, and Matteo, now relieved of driving duties, had forwarded the SUVâs data to the safety team for strategizing.
With Mitchel by her side, Raegan felt a bit less terrified than before.
âAre the explosives real?â she asked.
Raegan had only heard that mysterious man mention it, yet she couldnât ignore the possibility that it might simply be a tactic to frighten her.
Mitchel paused briefly before responding honestly, âYes, they are.
â
Raegan visibly shuddered, fear evident in her eyes.
Faced with the imminent threat of death, it was only natural for her to be scared.
Mitchel felt a pang of empathy for her.
âTheyâre working on a solution.
Donât be afraid.
Iâll stay with you.
â
Raegan, focusing ahead, tried to maintain her composure.
âMitchel, if thereâs truly no way out, you have to jump out of the car!â
âI wonât leave,â Mitchel responded in a simple and direct manner.
Tears streamed down Raeganâs face as she pleaded, âMitchel, Iâm serious.
You donât have to die with meâ¦â
âI wonât let that happen.
Iâll ensure you survive,â he reassured her.
Raegan fell silent.
Her eyes fixed on the screen, showing only twelve remaining minutes.
Aware of the slim chances, Raegan felt an urgency to speak but struggled to find the right words.
âIf⦠Ifâ¦â
Her voice strained, she managed, âJaney⦠Take care of Janey⦠Let her know I love her dearlyâ¦â
Raeganâs composure began to slip.
Despite the recent ordeal, sheâd kept control of the steering wheel, but now her limbs felt rigid with anxiety.
âMitchel, get out of this car.
Jump out!â she urged.
The car was headed toward a deserted area on what seemed like a predetermined path.
ALL Raegan needed was to tilt the steering wheel slightly for Mitchel to leap onto the nearby muddy ground.
Injury was a risk, but it beat certain death.
âRaegan!â Mitchel gripped the steering wheel with determination, his voice resolute.
âYou need to tell Janey yourself that you love her.
â
His deep, somber eyes were soothing as he added, âI promise.
â
Raeganâs turbulent emotions began to settle.
Just then, the Bluetooth connection sprang back to life.
Mitchel, composed in his manner, listened attentively before calmly stating, âDeactivate the screen countdown.
â
Raeganâs heart skipped a beat.
âMitchel!â
âThereâs a way now,â Mitchel reported urgently.
âMatteo has successfully hacked the bombâs timer, but the vehicle cannot be halted.
You must adhere to my guidance and jump out.
â