Page 60 of The Silent Note

“This way,” Grey says, flagging me to take a left turn. All around us, residents in their pajamas are being escorted to the emergency exits.

No one is paying us any attention and, thankfully, Slavno’s grandmother hasn’t been taken out of her room yet.

We burst inside and she’s already up, peering at us through watery eyes.

“Don’t worry,” Grey says sweetly. “We’re here to help. But first, is there anything valuable that you absolutelymusthave? Anything that you wouldn’t want to burn in a fire?”

I keep watch at the door, glancing back and forth as Grey patiently gathers all the grandmother’s most prized things. My instinct is to hurry her up, but even I recognize this act of kindness.

The alarm bells are loud enough to wake the dead, but I’ve had practice from all the concerts we’ve played where the volume was turned all the way up. Doctors and nurses are methodically making their way through the rooms.

They’ll get to Slavno’s grandmother soon.

We gotta get out of here.

“Doctor Carmel…” I warn.

“I know,” Grey answers. “One more minute.”

We might not have that.

Seeing no other option, I slip outside and stop the nurse who’s about to enter the room. Shaking my head, I gesture for her to move along.

She pauses, taking a look at my face as if she recognizes me.

I duck my head.

Thankfully, someone screams in the room over and she hurries there instead.

As the crowd thins, Sol runs up to us, a bag over his shoulder and a hat pulled low over his face.

“What are you two still doing here?” he asks.

“Relax. She’s almost done.”

I open the door for him and we both step into the room. Grey notices Sol’s arrival and pulls the wheelchair toward the bed.

“Can someone help me with her?”

I transport the patient into the wheelchair and Sol stays back in the room when we leave. The wheelchair handles are a thick foam and I grip them tightly, taking over pushing through the crowd.

Instead of following everyone through the emergency exits, I slip into a hallway that’ll take us to the side doors.

Dutch and Cadence are waiting outside and they take over pushing the wheelchair. I hear Cadence assuring the old lady of her safety as they get her into the van.

My heart thumping fast, I look over at Grey. “You did it.”

“Yeah.” She glances at my cheek and winces. “Sorry about slapping you.”

“Why do I get the feeling you’re not all that sorry?”

She laughs. “I’m sorry I hit youthathard.”

I smirk.

The side door bursts open. Sol and Finn race out, barreling towards our van. Finn has his laptop tucked under his armpit and Sol is covered in ash.

“It’s done?” I ask my best friend.