Page 156

Empty.
She sprinted upstairs, hopping over two at a time, before quickly scanning each of the rooms.
Also empty.
She checked the basement last. If she had to pick the safest place to hide, that would probably be it.
A sick feeling filled her stomach as she made it down to the last step and peered into the dark, empty room.
What was the next most likely place she would be?
She stood there, trying to think through the options.
Maybe the dining hall? No, that would’ve been the worst place for her to stay. And Maddie would know that.
She skipped back up the stairs and darted out of the house.
Where would she be?
Saff hit the edge of the driveway and paused, scanning the street.
The cacophony of gunfire seemed to have lessened, along with the chaos, which was a good sign. Maybe they’d been able to fight off the raiders for the time being. And perhaps wherever Maddie was hiding, she’d no longer be in danger soon.
Or maybe Maddie didn’t need her help at all. And if that were the case, it would probably be the best time for her to leave. Who knew what Sylvia would want to do with her, or how long she’d want to keep her locked up, especially after this.
She could grab the medication she needed and slip out without anyone noticing. Hell, she might even be able to find some weapons somewhere to take with her.
But she didn’t know if Maddie was safe yet. And she couldn’t leave without knowing with absolute certainty that she was okay.
Saff turned, running past people littered in the street and in front of houses.
She scoured their faces, searching for the only one she cared to see.
The scene seemed calmer than before, with the only urgency centered around the houses that were on fire. But at least the people she ran past didn’t seem to be running from anything or anyone anymore.
She kept running until she reached the end of the street, turning the corner until her eyes fell to the medical house at the end of the block. Luckily, that one wasn’t on fire.
Maybe that’s where Maddie had been.
She changed direction, racing toward it.
And as she drew closer, she stopped, spotting Josh’s face within a small crowd of people in front of a house that was covered in flames.
“Josh!” she yelled as she approached.
He turned, his face blank in a half daze. The girl beside him turned too—Nadia.
She scanned the other faces in the crowd but didn’t find Maddie among them.
“Josh,” she uttered through heavy panting. “Where’s Maddie?”
He shook his head slightly, then turned back to the fire. “She’s fine. Safe.”
“Oh my god,” Nadia breathed, stepping toward her and grabbing onto her forearm. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I just came from my mom’s house, and I saw the storing house on fire. I didn’t know if they’d gotten you out yet or not.”
Saff ignored the angry twinge that bubbled in her throat. Good thing she hadn’t decided to hide down there after all.
She looked back at Josh. “Where is she?”