Wide eyes.
Shaking.
Trusting us.
That’s all I need.
“Stay behind me,” I tell them.
Then I move.
Fast.
Aggressive.
I push forward into the gunfire, forcing them back, forcing space, forcing an opening.
Miles covers my flank.
Lucas keeps the kids tight behind us.
While the kids help with the boy, who is injured.
We advance—
Inches at a time.
Bullets slam into the walls around us.
Too close.
Way too close.
But we keep moving.
Because stopping isn’t an option.
Olivia
The room feels different now.
Less heavy.
Less distant.
More real.
I shift slightly—
Pain flares.
Sharp.
Immediate.
I suck in a breath.
Russ is there instantly.
