Page 94 of Hidden Chance

When the two men converged on the far end of the room, Robby tapped the top of his head and pointed to a dark area under the loft. Peter got into position to cover him as he moved in.

He passed by the only wardrobe left intact when a blood-curdling scream ripped through the air, and the door of the closet flew open, smashing into his shoulder. The force made him drop his weapon, and a figure jumped on top of him with arms flailing. His body was hammered with blows and scratches. He blocked what he could and tried to throw his assailant off, but every time he shoved, the person sprang back.

A shot pierced the air, and the thumping stopped long enough that Robby was finally able to shove one way and roll the other, grabbing his gun off the floor as he jumped to his feet.

“Don’t shoot!” Peter yelled, running between the two. “Su, it’s Peter.” He dropped to his knee in front of her.

She was crouched like a wild animal, ready to attack, but blinked away the crazed look in her eye.

“Peter?”

“Yeah. Peter and Robby. Are you okay? What happened in here? Are Jemi and Hannah safe?”

“No.” She shook her head hard. “No. No. No. I’m so sorry.” She fell back against the wardrobe and sobbed. “I should have stopped them. It’s my fault. I should have done more. I was a coward.”

“Who? What happened?”

“They took them. I fought them off, then ran. I got away but snuck back in. But I was a coward. All I could do was hide.”

“You’re not a coward. You did the right thing. They would have taken you too, or worse.”

“You said Hannah and Jemi were taken?” Robby said after holstering his weapon. “They weren’t killed?”

“No, not here. But it would have been better if they were. What they’ll do…. I’m so sorry, Peter.”

“Hey.” He reached out for her, but she flinched away.

“No. I saw them. They beat Jemi. She fought back. She didn’t give in. Not for a second.”

“Do you know how long ago this was?”

“What time is it now?”

“Three in the morning.”

“Over an hour, at least. It wasn’t that long after you left. I didn’t even hear them come in.”

“We have to find them,” Robby said, turning in a circle, his breathing heavy as he searched for an answer. “Somehow, they knew we were here. Maybe that can offer a clue to where they are now, unless you saw something, Su Su?”

“Wait. No, I didn’t see anyone clearly, but I can help.” She jumped to her feet and ran for the stairs, taking them two at a time.

“What is it?” Peter said as he raced up behind her. Robby was right behind him.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t thinking straight before. I panicked,” Su Su said, sitting in front of the computer as her fingers sped along the keys, closing down the security footage and bringing up another program. “I didn’t see who any of the individuals were, but they’re connected to the militia that’s set up nearby. They won’t have gone far.”

“Are you sure?” Robby asked.

“Am I sure? No. There were others with them too. Westerners. It doesn’t matter. I can find them.”

“How? Did you put a tracking device on their car?”

“Better than that.” She sat back when a map displayed on the screen. “There. That’s them. They’re still moving.”

“How?” was all Robby could say.

“The keychains I gave you weren’t only a gift. I wanted to keep you safe while you were here. I almost didn’t do it. I thought I was being overprotective.”

“You gave us all tracking devices?” Robby laughed. “That’s why you said we’d better keep them on us at all times. But how did you know?”

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