Page 28 of Burning Truth

Keeping focused while navigating the crowd was harder than it seemed. Addie stole glances at strangers, trying to pick up any sign of someone out of place, but all she saw were smiling faces and families enjoying themselves. It was surreal, feeling so chaotic in her own mind but watching people have fun. They had no idea of the threat hanging over them.

“Gabbie, are there any cameras near the exit?” Severn asked, urgency thick in his voice as they reached a less populated area.

“Just about everywhere. The food truck festival has hardly any blind spots,” she answered. “But I can’t see all the cameras at once. I’m trying to narrow them down.”

They pressed on until they reached the far side of the festival, where the music faded into the background noise of conversation and laughter. The exit loomed ahead, surrounded by the glow of festival lights, but there was an eerie stillness nearby.

Severn stopped and studied the area, scanning the shadows that obscured the neighboring alley. He’d long ago taken off his glasses to see better. “Stay alert,” he instructed, glancing at her with a seriousness that sent a shiver down her spine.

The pulse of the crowd was behind them now, and every step farther into silence made Addie’s heart pound harder. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as they reached the edge of festival territory, an instinct that something was wrong clawing at her.

“Gabbie?” Severn broke into the tense silence. “Any updates?”

Her voice crackled back with urgency. “The signal is constantly moving, and there’s a delay with the reporting… it’s zigzagging through the crowd but definitely heading toward the exit. It seems like it’s less than about fifty feet ahead of you.”

Addie’s breath stalled as a group of festival-goers exited through the nearby path. A sickening pang of anxiety bloomed when she caught sight of a dark figure lurking in their shadow—his features partially obscured by the dimming light, but something about him felt wrong.

“There! Over there!” she hissed, pointing as the prickling sensation spread down her spine.

Severn was already moving, his focus sharp and unwavering. “Stay behind me,” he commanded, scanning the crowd again. “We can’t let him out of our sight.”

Adrenaline surged as they pressed forward, edging closer to the dark figure that seemed to melt further into the shadows of a building. The festival noise faded behind them as they hurried after him.

Then, from one moment to the next, the figure they’d been following was gone.

Severn stopped, scanning the area, and Addie did as well. “Where did he go,” she whispered.

“I’m not sure,” Severn said, walking forward slowly. “Gabbie, is that phone still moving?”

“Yes,” she said. “Same direction you are.”

Gabbie’s voice crackled in again. “I just pulled up security footage from one camera nearby. I think I see him... Hold on. No, it’s not him. I’m not sure where he went.”

Severn still tugged her along behind him, but Addie wasn’t so sure they were heading in the right direction. Whatever was tugging at her was gone, now.

“I’ve lost the signal, guys. Sorry.”

Addie looked at Severn. He looked frustrated, his mouth pursed tight, but he continued walking in the same direction, gaze scanning the ground.

“You think he crushed the phone, or something?”

“Not sure, but we’ll look around a little.”

They didn’t find anything. It was dark enough in places that Addie had to use her phone light.

Then her phone dinged with an incoming message. She swiped through the screens.

That was fun. See you again Monday night.

She looked up at Severn. “Guess we know when the next bombing will be.”

His tight mouth told her she was right.

9

Severn didn’t like that he’d lost the arsonist.

They hung out at the food truck festival a while longer, but it was obvious their fishing trip had been a bust. They’d drawn the arsonist out, but they’d lost him again. And now he was giving them a specific time that he was going to burn again, so they were under the gun.

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