He leans closer.
Not touching.
But close enough.
“Me too.”
The room falls quiet again.
But this time—
it doesn’t feel empty.
47
Clay
We’re halfway out when it goes bad.
It was always going to.
“Move!” I snap, pushing the kids ahead of me.
Lucas is guiding them, one hand out, voice steady. “Stay with me—don’t stop.”
They’re moving faster now.
Fear will do that.
We hit the corridor—
And gunfire explodes from the far end.
“They’re blocking the exit!” Miles shouts.
Of course they are. This was never going to be easy.
I drop into a crouch, put the boy down, and return fire.
Two go down.
Another takes cover.
“They’re trying to box us in,” Lucas mutters.
Not happening.
“Alternate route,” I say.
Lucas shakes his head. “No time.”
He’s right.
We either break through—
Or we don’t get out.
I look at the kids.
