Page 119 of After the Burn

“I’m fine,” I said, brushing his hands away. “But we don’t have much time. The entire street is overrun.”

The window exploded inward.

Glass sprayed across the waiting room as a rotter came through headfirst, its arms flailing beneath the remains of a postal uniform.

Lucas met it before it hit the floor.

The blade of his hatchet sank into the back of its skull with a thick crack. Its body went limp, pinning him against the wall. “A little help would be nice.”

Adrian grabbed the rotter by its collar and hauled it backward while Lucas wrenched the hatchet free.

Two more sets of hands reached through the shattered window.

Then three.

The opening filled with grasping fingers and snapping teeth.

“There’s a back exit,” Lucas said urgently. “We need to get there before it’s blocked.”

We ran into the room just as Finley spun toward Harper. “She still has an IV. If we pull it⁠—”

“Then don’t pull it.” Beck slung his rifle over his shoulder and crossed the room. “Tell me how to carry her.”

Finley hesitated for a few moments, but I could see he’d realized we were going… with or without him and Harper.

We heard a rotter slam into the front door. I stuck my head out of the room and looked down the hall to see the deadbolt shudder. It was only a matter of seconds before they all spilled inside.

“Finley!” I shouted. “We have to go!”

He sprang into action.

“Keep her flat.” He grabbed the bag of Lactated Ringer’s from its hook. “Support her head and don’t put pressure on the bite.

Beck slid one arm beneath Harper’s knees and another behind her shoulders.

Rory rushed forward. “Mom?”

Harper didn’t open her eyes as her head rolled against Beck’s chest while he lifted her from the examination table.

I glanced at him in question.

“She’s alive,” Finley said quickly.

“Why isn’t she waking up?” Was my blood working to heal her, or was this all for nothing?

“Because her body needs rest,” Finley explained, frantically filling his pack with anything he thought he might need.

Another impact hit the front door. I glanced back out and saw that the wood around the lock had splintered. “We’re out of time!”

Wren grabbed Rory’s hand. “You’re going to stay with me.”

“I want my mom.” Tears rolled down the little girl's face.

“I know sweet girl, but she’s resting.” Wren gripped Rory’s shoulder. “I’m going to need you to hold on to Max and do exactly what I say. Can you do that?”

Rory’s chin trembled, but she nodded.

Wren turned to Colson. “She’s important to me.”