Page 109 of Shadow Redemption

With his mike bag on his back and a Sig in his hand, Rio moved to the door and eased it open to peer outside. “Clear,” he murmured, and slipped outside.

Clasping Ruth’s hand with his left, Ben tugged her outside into the compound with Nate and his mother on their heels.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Ruth did her best to keep up with Ben as they hurried through the compound. Multiple fires burned in various parts of the commune. People ran from one place to another. Screams and shouts filled the night. Pandemonium reigned.

Ben grabbed Ruth and dropped to the ground with her. To her left, Maren was on the ground with Nate covering her body with his own. Rio opened fire. A man with a gun bearing down on them toppled to the earth and didn’t move.

A moment later, she and Maren were on the move again. Ben, Nate, and Rio set a fast pace toward the back of the compound.

“Down!” Ben ordered at the same time as Nate shoved Maren to the turf and dived on top of her, weapon up and aimed to their right.

From the darkness, four guards emerged with guns in their hands. They aimed and fired at Ben and Rio. The operatives’ aim was true. Their bullets hit two of the guards while the other two kept firing.

Dirt kicked up near Ruth as the bullets from the guards missed their marks.

Close by, a child screamed in terror.

Ruth raised her head enough to scan the area for the child. Her eyes widened in horror when she spotted a little girl running straight toward her.

“On your six,” Nate yelled and shifted the aim of his weapon to the approaching danger.

Oh, man. At least ten Eden guards ran full tilt toward the operatives, Ruth, and Maren. The girl was running into the line of fire.

Ruth scrambled to her feet and, keeping low, ran to scoop the child into her arms. She heard Ben yelling her name, but she couldn’t let the girl die. Ruth ran toward a low stone wall, climbed over, and sank to her knees. She laid the child on the ground close to the wall and curled her own body around her.

“You’re safe now. My friends will help but we have to stay quiet.”

“I want my mommy.”

“I know, sweetheart. We’ll find her when the noise stops. It’s not safe to look for her right now.”

“When?”

“Not long.” Ben and the others wouldn’t let this fight drag out long. The fires would draw attention to the compound. Someone was bound to report the glow to the authorities. Fortress couldn’t be here when law enforcement arrived. “What’s your name?”

“Serenity.”

“Your name is as beautiful as you are. I’m Ruth. How old are you?”

“Six.”

“What’s your favorite thing to do?”

“I like books.”

“Me, too.” She heard rustling behind her and prayed one of the Fortress operatives had arrived to protect her and the child. No doubt Ben knew where she was. Even in the middle of a gun battle, he’d keep track of her.

Ruth wrapped herself tighter around the child. “Stay quiet,” she whispered and strained to listen. With the screams, shouts, and gunfire, she couldn’t detect more movement behind her. The skin at the back of her neck felt as though spiders crawled on her. Not good. Ben told her to trust her gut. Her gut screamed that trouble was stalking her.

She turned her head to scout for a new hiding place. Every place that looked viable also left her and Serenity exposed to gunfire before they reached safety.

Frustrated, she loosened her hold on Serenity and got to her hands and knees. She had to find a safe place for Serenity. “Stay here,” she whispered.

“Don’t leave me!”

“I’m not, sweetheart. I’m looking for a safer hiding place.”

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