Page 63 of Burn Like An Angel

“Shit.” Lennox gapes at him. “What do we do?”

“We need to move. Now.”

Focusing on me, Xander’s face is grave.

“Incendia is coming.”

CHAPTER 10

RIPLEY

OUT OF STYLE – KID BRUNSWICK & BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT

I’m always prepared.

Harrowdean was my grand master plan.

Shoving dirty clothes, half-filled water bottles and the last of our scavenged supplies into my backpack, I realise how far I’ve fallen. My grand fucking plan lies in tatters. Along with my entire life.

I thought I had it all figured out. For a whole year, I made myself untouchable. Above reproach. An object of terror and fascination. That power was heady, but now I’m paying the ultimate price.

We’re fleeing for our lives.

Lost, traumatised and alone.

“Pack faster!” Xander barks. “We need to move.”

I accidentally drop the last remaining bag of sweets we have in our stash. The bag hits the floor, but before I can scoop it up, a bandaged hand grabs the bag for me.

“Here,” Lennox mutters gruffly.

Snatching the sweets from his grasp, I shove them in the backpack. “Where the hell are we going to go?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then we shouldn’t be running at all!”

“They’re not coming in peacefully,” he states plainly. “Weapons and riot gear hardly spell out a calm, orderly evacuation.”

Avoiding looking at him, I continue shoving everything I can lay my hands on into the bag. Terror has condensed into laser-sharp focus. Adrenaline has a way of simplifying even the most complex emotions.

“Has anyone seen my guide stick and glasses?” Panic drips from Raine’s words.

“Go help him.” I gesture wildly.

Lennox straightens then moves to help Raine locate his belongings. After the show I just put on, being thrown into a life-and-death situation with him feels like a bad joke.

“Are we ready?” Xander questions.

“Warner’s still out there.” I zip the backpack and toss it over my shoulder. “We need to find him.”

“There isn’t time.” He grimaces, shifting on his feet. “They’ll breach the gates at any moment. We have to leave now before it’s too late.”

“And go where?” Raine asks timidly.

“I don’t know… but if we stay, we’ll be killed. Therefore, we run.”

“This isn’t a time for your stone-cold logic, Xan!” I snap at him. “Rick and the others swore to kill the hostages if anyone entered Harrowdean.”

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