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Charlotte leaned close and whispered, “It will be okay. The ones who got away can tell the police, and they can save us.”
“No. It will be too late. They’ll move us tonight.”
A guard approached. “You.Vamanos.”
Charlotte didn’t move. “She needs a doctor.”
He lifted his gun and smashed it against her head.
She couldn’t remember falling but now found herself laying on her side, barely holding on to consciousness. She blinked to clear her vision and saw the guard take Kelly’s leg. He dragged her toward the building.
“No,” Charlotte said, scrambling onto her knees. She crawled to Kelly. “Please, she needs a doctor or she’ll die.” She wrapped her arms around her to keep them from moving her further.
Another guard yanked her away, tossing her aside. He kicked her hard in the stomach and left her there as she folded in on herself, unable to breathe. She reached out a hand toward Kelly, who they continued to drag.
“No. Please. No,” she said through tiny gasps as she got her breath back.
Gunfire cracked the air, and the guard dragging Kelly dropped to the ground. The rest of the men spun around with raised weapons, scanning the surroundings when another shot was fired and another guard dropped.
The last two ran for cover, firing their weapons randomly as they went. The women they’d been herding inside dropped to the ground, covering their heads.
Charlotte crawled to Kelly and checked for a pulse. It was hard to find, but it was there. She covered the wound again and laid on top of her in what she knew was a useless attempt to protect her.
When stillness returned, she scanned the dead guards lying in the street, then looked at the darkness that surrounded them to discover what had happened.
“Charlotte?” a voice called from the shadows. She twisted around and saw a figure approaching. Then, Will’s face materialized.
“Will?” She gasped. “You’re not dead?”
Another man joined him but hurried to the building. “There aren’t many left. You stay with her. I’ll finish this.” He fired several times, then entered the building.
Will dropped beside her. “I can’t believe we found you.” He put a hand on either side of her face. “Are you okay?” He wiped blood off her cheek. “You’re bleeding.”
“No, I’m fine. Just bruised. But we have to get her to a hospital. She’s still alive, but she’s been shot.”
“Okay, yeah. I think there’s a hospital nearby. Hopefully they’re equipped.” He looked at the woman. “Who is she?”
“A friend. I’ll tell you about it once we’re on our way.”
Will’s attention was drawn to the door when his partner emerged. “It’s done.”
“I need to get this one to the hospital,” Will said. “Can you stay with the rest of the girls until we can get some law enforcement out here?”
“Yeah. You guys go.”
Will scooped up Kelly and carried her to a truck around the corner.
Charlotte pressed a hand to her stomach, lurching forward as she followed.
“You’re hurt,” Will said.
“Not that bad. I’ll be okay.”
“Still. When we get to the hospital, we’ll get you looked at too.”
* * *
Charlotte held Kelly close, keeping pressure on the wound. “You’re going to be okay. Don’t give up.” She rocked her, whispering prayers into her hair.
