Conscious by David R Bernstein

Author:David R Bernstein [Bernstein, David R]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Torment Publishing
Published: 2020-01-17T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

* * *

“Caiden and Gareth have got the main entrance!” Farren shouts to Jax as gunfire begins pelting the outer walls. “Erin and Nance are watching the rear exit.”

My mom tries to stand up but collapses back onto the floor. I grasp her by the armpits and drag her against the back wall, hoping they don’t start firing at us from that direction. Ava and Envee crouch beside us, the younger girls’ eyes round with fear. And something like guilt or shame. She was the only Influencer who hadn’t been in there searching for my mother, but she lacked the ability to watch our awareness.

“Hey.” I grab her hand. “You couldn’t have known.”

She nods, but her face is hard. Way older than her twelve years. This life has that effect on people. I’m trying to think of what else I could say to reassure her when Stratton drops to his knees in front of me, already reaching for my pistol.

“Can I have this?” he asks.

I look at my weakened mother and know I won’t be heading to the front line. “Take it. Go.”

Stratton grabs the gun and disappears downstairs just as another boom rattles the building.

When the floor has finished shaking, I stand and look at Farren. “What are we going to do? We’re pinned down.”

Farren peers out a cracked window, quickly pulling his head back. He checks his handgun and then locks eyes with me. “I don’t know. I don’t know. We’re heavily outnumbered and outgunned.”

My chest tightens, and I almost forget to breathe. This is all too familiar. But this time there’s more than just me at risk. I’m about to walk over to Farren when my mother puts her hand on my leg, stopping me. I crane my neck to look down at her.

She swallows hard. “You’re going to have to save us. There’s no other way.”

I just stare at her, unable to speak. She knows the only way we get out of this is if I bring on the horde of animals in this forest. Doing that last time was the worst thing I’ve ever done. The death and carnage were horrifying.

A heavy bang rattles the building once more, jarring me from my thoughts. I turn and the front wall cracks, a jagged line snaking its way to the ceiling. Miya and Amanda rush away from the unstable wall.

This building’s not going to last much longer.

Farren darts over to me and grabs my hand. “We’ve got to take our people and run.”

Over my shoulder, I spot Jax standing still with his eyes closed. “There are people scattered throughout the woods. They’re everywhere.” He opens his eyes and faces Farren and me. “There’s no clear path.”

I steady my breathing and rest my free hand on Farren’s chest. “I’ll clear the forest.”

Farren drops his shoulders to meet my gaze. “There’s got to be another way. I don’t want you to go through that again.”

I offer him a less than reassuring smile. “I’ve got this. It’s the only way.

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