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A glass clicked against a hard surface in front of her.
Then another loud bang, followed by another.
“Fuck!” She heard Nadia yell, followed by footsteps running past her.
“Guys—was that—“ she paused, as she heard people yelling from somewhere outside “Was that—“
There were more footsteps—hurried footsteps—then Josh’s voice. “Maddie, stay here!” The thinly veiled anxiety in his voice sent cold fear rushing through her veins.
“Josh, what—“
His strong grip landed on her shoulders.
“Maddie,” he said, his voice coming out rushed right in front of her. “Something is happening. I need to go out and help. You need to stay here and stay down, okay?”
Her hands began to shake as she dropped the glass to the floor and clutched her cane tightly in both hands.
“Nadia?” he yelled out.
No answer.
“God damnit,” he hissed. “When I leave, you need to lock the deadbolt on the front door, okay?”
He yanked her up from the couch, dragging her forward with him.
She yelped in surprise, grabbing onto his arm as they half ran the next few feet before stopping.
She barely had time to register the sound of the door opening in front of her. Then suddenly, the sounds, screams and crashing outside assaulted her ears.
“Maddie,” Josh said, grabbing her by the shoulders again. “Lock the door—“
“Saff,” she whispered, not knowing if she’d even said it aloud.
The thought slammed into her with so much fear and urgency that she almost ran out into the surrounding chaos.
“S—Saff!” she yelled, grabbing Josh by the arms and keeping him planted firmly in front of her. “You have to—she’s down there! You have to get her out!”
He tried to pull away, but she held on as if her life depended on it.
“She’ll be fine,” he said, finally breaking free of her grasp. “They won’t find her there.”
Then suddenly his voice was far away.
“Maddie, lock it. Now!”
She froze for a second, the sounds of destruction echoing around her.
Then she felt for the door, and ripped it closed, her hand easily finding the deadbolt and twisting it.
More gunfire went off outside, along with glass breaking.
Where were her parents?
Was her mom at the dining hall already? Would that be one of the first places they attacked?
She stumbled backward, falling against the wall.
They’d been attacked before in the other settlement. And once again while they traveled. But this sounded different. Itfeltdifferent.
