“Move!” I roar.
Chaos detonates around us.
Mothers grab children. Dirt sprays beneath pounding boots. Someone screams as bullets hammer into the ridge behind us.
Olivia grabs the nearest little girl against her side and runs without looking back.
Good.
She’s learning.
Another shot tears through the dark—
Pain explodes through my body.
Hot.
Sharp.
Like somebody shoved a blade straight through me.
I stumble once.
Catch myself immediately.
“Russ!”
Olivia’s voice cuts through the gunfire.
“I’m fine!” I bark back.
Blood already feels warm beneath my jacket.
Doesn’t matter.
“Keep moving!”
Smoke suddenly bursts behind us.
Clay.
Gray clouds swallow the ridge instantly, choking the night in thick cover.
The shouting behind us turns confused.
Exactly what we needed.
“Go!” Lucas shouts.
We scramble over the crest of the ridge, boots slipping against loose stone.
My side burns harder with every step.
Ignore it.
Just keep moving.
The gunfire fades little by little behind us until all that’s left is ragged breathing and boots grinding against dirt.
