Then chaos erupted.
“Jesus Christ!”
“Get him off her!”
A man tried to pull Earl back. He turned on him instantly, mouth red, eyes clouded, growling like an animal that was interrupted during a meal.
People were rushing towards the exit.
Beck was already on his feet. He grabbed me and pulled me behind him, keeping himself between Earl and me as he headed toward the door.
“That’s not drugs.” He muttered.
A chair went over. Someone slipped and fell. The waitress collapsed, clutching her arm, blood everywhere.
Earl bit again.
I didn’t think.
I grabbed a heavy glass saltshaker and threw it, hitting him in the temple. It shattered, glass and salt spraying everywhere. He barely reacted.
“What the fuck, Fox?” Beck growled as he shoved a man out of the way, pulling me clear of the diner. “Don’t draw his attention!”
He glanced around frantically for his bike. The parking lot was bedlam—people screaming, engines revving, doors slamming. Someone tackled a man trying to get into a black truck. A woman was crying by her car, pounding on the window, unable to unlock it.
When he didn’t see it, he grabbed my arm again. “Move.”
We ran.
I glanced back and saw a man sprint out of the diner, clutching his neck, blood pouring through his fingers. Another body slammed into him, teeth snapping.
Was that the waitress?
When we finally slowed, I bent over, hands on my knees, shaking.
“He bit her,” I gasped. “He literally justbither.”
“I saw.”
“Thatwasn’tdrugs.”
“No shit.”
“Where the hell is your bike?” I straightened, forcing myself to breathe.
“I wish I knew.” He nodded at my pack. “At least you were smart enough to take that in the diner.”
“I take it everywhere.” I laughed in derision, “Looks like Ben was right this whole time.”
A scream sounded in the distance.
“We'd better get the fuck out of here.” Beck motioned for my pack.
I adjusted it automatically, brain already shifting gears—we needed distance.
“I’ve got it.” No way would I be parted from it now.
He started to argue, then seemed to think better of it. “Let’s get somewhere safe and try to call again.”
