The engine roared in protest, gears grinding under the strain. The truck was too heavy to outrun anyone for long. Every second at this speed was a gamble with physics. He pressed the pedal anyway, eyes darting between the road and the mirror, searching for any gap, any miracle.
There weren’t any. It was just black forest on both sides and a river of rain ahead. The wipers thrashed uselessly, barely keeping up. His shoulders ached from gripping the wheel. He scanned for exits, rest stops, lights, or anything human, but the world had shrunk to asphalt and fear.