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“She got out with me. Last I saw she was running in the direction of her parents' place.” He smiled at me, and I took a deep breath. “She’ll be okay.”
“And the brothers?” Avery asked with a grimace. Ella stuck her tongue out in agreement.
Apparently neither girl thought too highly of the Kingsnakes. I couldn’t say I blamed them.
“Scattered. I’m sure some of them got trapped inside, but the ones who made it out were hightailing it back to the city. Funny how the toughest scare the easiest.” I bit my lip. Ray took in my worried expression. “Hannah got them all out. They’re safe, babydoll.”
Relief washed over me. I had done what I could, but knowing they were safe made a world of difference. Knowing they could have their babies, and keep them, was even better.
Ray grabbed the backpack off Ella, and swung it onto his own back. “Come on. Even with the Kingsnakes down, we should cover serious ground before nightfall.”
He set off into the forest, and like the Pied Piper, Avery and Ella trailed close on his heels. Those girls adored him. Ella’s small voice piped up as they walked. “Can we go to the beach, Ray?”
“I don’t see why not. It might take us a little while to get there though.” Their conversation trailed off as they disappeared behind a tree.
I couldn’t help but take one last look back at the blazing building against the backdrop of the sky. Turning away, the sound of Ella’s sweet laughter caught my attention, and I was eager to catch up and hear the joke. I was leaving again, the city at my back. But this time, I was leaving of my own free will. This time, I wasn’t alone.
This time, I had hope.
