Page 90 of Betrayed By Sin

We don’tslow down, we keep running. We crash through thebackyard, feet slamming against thedirt path, heading toward ourcarparked in the driveway.

Briayanks me back just in time.

The car explodes.

Ablast of heat slams into my face, sending both of usflying back. Theshockwaveis deafening, the groundripping out from under us. My visionblursas I landhard, my back slamming against the ground.

My ears ring.The world spins.

The flames risehigh, swallowing the car, licking at the darkness with violent hunger.

Bria groans beside me, pressing a hand against her forehead,blood tricklingdown her temple. “Yeah.Okay.That was close.”

I cough, my throat burning, my arms shaking as I try to push myself up.Everything hurts.

My heartslams against my ribs. “They’re trying to kill us.”

Bria coughs out abitter laugh. “No shit, Sherlock.”

Thefire rages behind us, but we don’t have time tostand here and watch.

They’re still out there.

Coming for us.

Bria grabs myhand, hauling me up. “We have to go.”

I glance around wildly,searching for cover. “Where?”

She points toward thetree line. “The woods.”

I don’t hesitate.

We run.

Branchestear at my clothes, dirtstains my kneesas westumble through the thick brush. The sounds ofgunfire fade, but we don’t stop.

Not until we see it.

A shack.

Old, worn-down, nestled between the trees.

Bria pulls meinside, slamming the door shut behind us.The air is damp, the scent ofsalt and decayheavy. But it’sshelter.

We’re alive.

For now.

Bria leans against the wall,breathing hard, herhands shakingas she reaches into herjacket pocket.

She pulls her burner phone out and makes a call. There’s an answer on the first ring. “We were just attacked.” Bria cries, “you were right.”

“Is Magnolia dead?” Theblood drains from my face because Iknowthat voice, Zeik.

My stomach turns. My breath stutters.

And then, it clicks.