Page 104 of Trapped Truth

Everyone erupts into a flurry of rapid movement. From the ground, the nearby inferno is clear. Sordid heat smacks us square in the face the moment the doors are thrown open, bringing the stench of heady chemicals and toxic ash.

Almost immediately, my lungs begin to scream in protest. The air is filthy. Archer is already coughing, while Gunnar barely spares the raging inferno a second glance. I doubt anything fazes that man.

“Comms in!” Hudson roars.

Shit, I forgot to slot my earpiece into place. I make short work of locating the small black device from my Kevlar vest and securing it inside my ear. The rest of the makeshift team follows suit.

“Search for survivors. I’ll find out the situation with emergency services. Blaine, where is your operation located?”

“East side entrance.” He points to our right.

“Then let’s split into two teams and approach from opposite sides.” Checking his holster, Hudson re-secures his weapon. “I’m issuing a shoot-to-kill order against any hostiles. Understood?”

Gunnar practically bobs on his feet next to me. “Excellent.”

“Archer, Kyle, take the west side. I’ll find you when the scene is secured with the authorities. Gunnar, you’re on Ember. Show them the way, Blaine. Stick together!”

Orders issued, we’re permitted to split apart and face the chaos spiralling out of control all around. I don’t know where to begin. Thankfully, Blaine takes the lead, his gun drawn, ready to attack.

We appear to be in a rough neighbourhood, surrounded by worn-down buildings tagged with graffiti. A couple of the rusted warehouses still appear to be in use, though there isn’t a soul in sight now.

The building in Blaine’s crosshairs is a smoking wreckage, the vaulted warehouse roof devoured by greedy flames. Even as we approach on high alert, a window explodes to create a shower of glass projectiles.

“Where is everyone?” I call over the roar of fire.

At my side, Gunnar’s head gaze sweeps the perimeter with determined, surgical focus. “Long gone.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means my father has already done what he intended to.” Blaine words are clipped. “We need to find the survivors.”

From the state of the building, I’m not sure if there will be any. Another chunk of corrugated metal roofing collapses inward, carrying a vast steel beam with it. More smoke and virulent flames engulf where it lands.

With nothing but destruction all around, my heart sinks inside my chest.

“Blaine—”

“No.” He spins to glare at me, cutting me off. “I have to find them! They’re here!”

“How do you intend to get inside?” Gunnar questions.

“We can find an entry point, there has to be somewhere…”

Rounding the fire-consumed wreckage, Blaine’s frenzy trails off. All three of us freeze in place for a shocked second. Several burned out vans cluster around what looks like an exit, sizzling wildly in the open.

From the haphazard angles of each abandoned vehicle, all were positioned to take off from the scene of the crime. Doors are still flung open, evidencing an attempt at fleeing, now hanging in blackened cinders.

“There are your survivors.” Gunnar motions without a trace of humour.

Instantly, Blaine takes off in a blur, leaving us to chase.

“Blaine! Wait!”

More smoke infiltrates my windpipe, cutting off my attempt to halt him. Tears stream down my cheeks, the moisture scorching my corneas from the proximity of open flames.

“Raye!” Blaine yells wildly. “Spyder!”

I bank left to check the first vehicle, covering my mouth and nose with a gloved hand. I’m able to get close enough to verify it’s empty. This one’s in the worst shape, all twisted up and scorched.