I turn, firing—
Then something hits me.
Hard.
My vest absorbs most of it—
But the impact knocks me back a step.
“Clay!” Lucas shouts.
“I’m good!” I snap.
Lie.
Doesn’t matter.
“Move!”
The exfil vehicle comes into view—
Engine running.
Doors open.
“Get them in!” I shout.
Lucas gets the kids moving.
One by one.
Fast.
Efficient.
Miles covers the rear.
I fire until my mag runs dry—
Then switch—
Then fire again.
Hostiles spill out of the building.
Too many.
But we don’t need to hold them.
We just need seconds.
“Go!” Lucas yells.
Last kid climbs in.
Miles jumps in after them.
I take one last shot—
