Page 120 of After the Burn

Colson gave a slow nod. Then he moved behind Rory, becoming a wall at her back.

Adrian swept sealed tubing, bandages, and anything else Finley had missed into his pack.

Lucas grabbed two fluid bags and Finley’s medical kit.

Finley snatched his binder from the counter.

The front door cracked down the middle, and gray fingers curled through the gap.

“It’s now or never!” I shouted, knowing our small window to leave was closing.

“Go!” Beck shouted. “Now!”

Lucas ran down the hallway and shoved through the rear exit.

Sunlight poured into the clinic.

Beyond him stood an overgrown patch of grass, a rusted chain-link fence, and the dark tree-line.

“No vehicles,” he called back. “The parking lot’s cut off.”

That was nothing new. We’d been on foot for months.

“Then we walk,” Adrian said. “It draws less attention anyway.”

Finley stared at him. “Harper is going to be harder to transport that way, and her chance of survival is slim.”

“She definitely won’t survive being eaten,” Adrian said, his face expressionless. “I can’t put Taryn’s safety at risk by lingering here.”

I knew he meant what he said.

I wouldn’t put any of my men in jeopardy either. Except that leaving Rory to die would be a hard line for me. I hoped Finley didn’t realize that.

A section of the front door gave way, and a rotter forced its head through the opening, peeling half its cheek against the jagged wood, its teeth snapping wildly.

Max barked.

“Enough of the bullshit! It’s time to fucking go!” Beck growled, his patience gone.

Lucas went through first, hatchet raised.

Wren pulled Rory through next. Max pressed against the girl’s leg while Colson followed close enough to touch them both.

Beck carried Harper as Finley walked backward in front of him, one hand holding the fluid bag above Harper and the other monitoring the line. “Don’t let her arm drop.”

“I’ve got her.” Beck kept moving.

“If the needle comes out⁠—”

“I said I’ve got her. Now move before you get my woman bit.” Beck was out of shits to give.

Adrian shoved a duffel into my arms, and I nearly dropped it. The weight dragged painfully against my shoulders, and the room swayed around me.

His hand shot out, steadying my elbow. “Fuck. You're still weak from the transfusion.”

“I’m fine.” I heaved the strap of the bag over my shoulder.

Another crash echoed from the waiting room, and the front door collapsed.