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Scum of the earth!

13

Luca

A group of people from Mathew’s organisation herds the teens through the hallway to the back of the building. While I stay right behind the door, listening to Vera and Riley, tears in my eyes as my breathing shudders.

When I heard the teens scream, after someone got shot trying to escape through the side window, I couldn’t stay outside any longer. I had to get in there, I had to help them.

I’ve looked after some of these kids for years and they were terrified. I couldn’t ignore that. They were terrified of what was going on around them.

They probably didn’t have a clue who they could trust.

The people from Mathew’s team waiting for the teens in the hidden hallway didn’t seem to want to let me through at first, but when they realised I wasn’t going to leave, they got out of the way.

The front room was exactly the same as it always had been, a little more cluttered and with a broken window, but otherwise exactly the same as before. As soon as the teens recognised me, they seemed to be much more willing to get out of there.

As I expected.

I knew that once the teens were out, and I’d closed the door behind me, there would be a bloodbath on the other side. And from the screams and shots, that’s exactly what’s happening.

Unlike when Vera rescued me, it’s over a lot quicker this time.

It takes less than three minutes before everything goes deadly quiet.

“Luca?” Vera’s voice comes through the door. “We’re coming in.”

I open the door slightly, making sure to not look inside the room, not wanting to see the carnage. “How did you know I was here?”

Vera steps inside, immediately hugging me. “Because that’s who you are. And I noticed your pheromones through the door.”

“While I’d love to join in on the cuddle. Let’s get moving. We’ve got more to do tonight.” Riley crowds us deeper into the hallway.

She seems much calmer than before, surer.

“The teens are out and on their way to safety.” Jorge’s voice over the earpiece is short, to-the-point. “Luca, are you joining Vera and Riley, or are you also coming out?”

“Luca’s inside?!” That seems to surprise Mathew.

“That was not part of the plan.” I can almost imagine the pained face Derrick is pulling right now.

I’m sorry, I know how much you hate it when people don’t follow your plan.

I reach up, activating my earpiece. “I’m staying here. Are the younger kids locked up downstairs or upstairs in their rooms?”

“Downstairs.” That’s Caleb, his low tones easy to recognise. “Upstairs is empty. There might be people in the private rooms on the ground floor, but nobody up here.”

“Not anymore, anyway.” Mathew sounds amused.

“Story for another time, not now. Let’s keep moving, people.” Derrick deserves a real long break after the raid, especially since I don’t think me going inside will be the only deviation from the plans tonight. “Luca, you want to be here when the younger kids get out?”

“Yes. Let me know when they’re ready to break the downstairs doors.” There’s not much use for me waiting around in the basement before then.

“Will do.”

Vera takes my hand, rubbing her thumbs over the top of my hand. “Are you going to follow us first, or do you have other plans?”

“I’ll stay with you two for now. If my being there helps some of the kids feel less scared, then that’s what I want to do.”