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Zoey’s eyes followed the animals, her brow furrowing. “The fire must be getting closer. They’re trying to escape.”

Lux nodded, trying to push down the disappointment she felt at being interrupted. “Should we follow them?”

Zoey considered it for a moment, then nodded. “Animals have an instinct for where it’s safe. We should head in the same direction.”

“I used to have a dog who was the opposite. He always got into trouble.”

“Sounds like you were always part of the mischief,” Zoey said.

Lux was about to suggest going straight uphill but changed her mind. Zoey’s point made sense, and she didn’t want to argue.

“Let’s go, then.”

They started moving in the same direction as the animals, the sounds of the fire growing louder behind them.

Lux tried to stay focused, but her mind kept drifting back to that kiss and the way Zoey’s hand had felt on her thigh. She wanted to feel it again and lose herself in Zoey’s touch.

Lux heard vibrations, a low rumble that seemed to come from deep within the earth tried to pinpoint where it was coming from.

“Did you hear that?”

Zoey paused, listening. “Hear what?”

“That rumbling,” Lux said, feeling a knot of unease forming in her stomach. “Maybe it’s nothing, but?—”

Another loud rumble cut her off, this time unmistakable. It was louder, more intense, and it made the ground beneath them tremble. Lux froze, her eyes wide with fear as she looked at Zoey.

“What the hell was that?” Zoey asked.

Lux shook her head, her mind racing. “I don’t know, but it doesn’t sound good.”

They stood there for a moment, both of them unsure of what to do. The rumbling grew louder and more persistent, and Lux could feel the vibrations in her bones. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her fear in check, but it was no use. This was bad, really bad.

“Maybe we should—” Zoey started to say, but another rumble cut her off, this one even louder than before.

Lux’s heart pounded in her chest as she realized what was happening. “We need to move now!”

20

ZOEY

Zoey’s heart pounded as the rumbling grew louder, the vibrations beneath her feet increasing with every passing second. She barely had time to process what was happening before she felt the ground shift beneath them.

“Lux, we need to move,” Zoey said.

She grabbed Lux’s hand, pulling her along as they scrambled to find stable footing. But the earth was treacherous, slipping away under their boots as the landslide began to take shape.

Lux nodded, but Zoey could see the pain etched on her face. Each step was a struggle, but there was no time to stop. They both knew that hesitating now could mean the end. The ground continued to tremble, small rocks tumbling down the hillside, followed by larger ones. The sound of the landslide was like a roar, growing louder and louder until it drowned out everything else.

“Stay close!” Zoey shouted.

She looked over at Lux, her heart tightening when she saw her wince with every step. But Lux kept moving, her jaw set in determination. Zoey focused on the path ahead, trying to find a route that would lead them away from the worst of it.

“We’re almost there, just a little more!” Zoey said.

The air was thick with dust, making it hard to breathe. Zoey’s lungs burned, but she didn’t dare stop. Her eyes stung, and she blinked rapidly to clear them, but it was like trying to see through a cloud. Lux’s grip on her hand was strong, and Zoey held on tight, determined not to let go.

The ground continued to shift beneath them, and the incline made it even harder to keep their footing. Zoey could hear the crack of trees snapping somewhere below them, the sound echoing through the chaos. She had to remind herself to breathe.