Page 133 of Shades of Silver City

Taking a big breath, I oblige, launching myself off the roof. A shot rings out into the night as I soar through the air.

The bags soften my landing, releasing a thick whoosh of raunchy air. I gag.

“Run!” a shrill voice says—this one I hear aloud.

I turn to catch sight of Stace rounding the corner, with Alisha on her ass.

“We could only hold them off for so long!” Stace yells. “The dog helped, but they shot at him and he ran off!”

Scathe.

Alarm rings through me. “Shot? Is he okay?”

“Dunno!”

We bolt down the alley. It doesn’t take long to realize our mistake.

“Dead end!” I yell as we draw closer to the brick wall ahead of us. Light seeps out from a window above, threatening to reveal us to anyone who might peer into the alley.

Before I crash into the wall, I halt to a stop. Desperately, I pat the bricks, searching for some sort of magical invisible entrance. Of course I find nothing.

Despite the horrifying scene I witnessed at my apartment, I can’t help but wish Archer were here. He’d know how to help.

“We didn’t make it this far to get fucked so hard!” Stace yells, stomping her foot.

Her anger catches me off guard. “What are you even doing here?”

“I came to get a drink with Alisha when you kicked me out,” she says quickly, frantically. “Overheard the bartender call you in.”

I scan the alley, looking for an escape. The only way out is Pub Path—past the Scouts. We’re well and screwed.

Eyeing my roommates, I ask, “Why are you helping me?”

“Why the fuck not?” Alisha says. “Can we have this conversation later?”

I throw my hands up. “Gladly! If I have a later.”

It strikes me—they don’t know Reed is dead. They might turn me in if they knew. Hell, this could be a setup for all I know. Maybe they lured me out here on purpose, intending to turn me in.

“Idea,” Stace says. She reaches into Alisha’s jeans pocket. Alisha swats her hand, but Stace successfully pulls out what she was looking for.

A familiar-looking baggie.

It’s too dark to make out the contents, but my spine prickles. “Stace…what is that?”

“Something to help.”

“Is that dreamdust?” I ask, my voice wavering.

“How’dya know?” she asks, confused. “I thought you don’t touch drugs.”

I snatch it from Stace, desperate to keep it away from her. Enough people have fucked with this drug. I’m with Archer; it’s destroying our city.

“Where did you get it, Alisha?” I whisper.

Alisha sighs. “Reed brought it over earlier. Said it’s new. Got it for free. From his supplier. That’s what I was trying to tell you before—he’s my dealer. Not my booty call.”

“You’ve been on the dust?” I whisper, bile swirling in my stomach. Reed’s been dealing it?

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