Page 81 of The Enemy Face Off

I lift onto my toes, hoping to spot Amiel or Hannah or Culver or anyone I know, but it appears there are multiple safe zones, so just because they're not in this one doesn't mean they're not safe in another one.

But Evie? And Fraser? And the minister? Where are they? They were standing right where the ceiling collapsed.

I can't even think about it.

A stab of anger shoots through me at the memory of Milo charging back into the crumbling building, but that's quickly replaced by guilt for having such a selfish thought, which then morphs into an overwhelming sense of pride that he's the sort of man who would risk his own life to pull his friends out of danger.

It feels like an eternity, when in reality probably only about ten minutes pass, before we're allowed to leave.

Apart from the collapsed side of the church roof, all the other buildings on the sprawling property seem unaffected. From the outside, at least.

"Beth! Summer!"

We both spin around as Hannah and Culver race over to us.

"You're safe," I say, hugging her.

"We are. Are you both okay?"

"We're fine," Summer answers. "Did you guys happen to see Amiel?"

She shakes her head.

"You guys stay here. I'll go look for her," Culver says.

He kisses Hannah on her forehead and takes off.

"We're going to remain positive," Summer says, her voice dipping into what I assume is her lawyer-sounding voice. "Until we get any information, we're going to choose hope over fear. Okay?" When neither Hannah nor I say anything, she repeats. "Okay?"

"Yeah, okay," Hannah says, craning her neck in every direction.

"Uh-huh." I'm not paying attention, either, desperately searching through the crowd of people to see a familiar face.

Nothing, nothing, and then…two intense green eyes flash into view.

Milo.

Someone gets in the way, and I lose him.

"I just saw Milo," I tell the girls. "I have to go."

"Stay safe," Summer says as I take off.

"I will." Moving in the direction I spotted him, I catch fleeting glimpses of him through the gaps in the crowd.

I squint to make sure I'm seeing right.

His face is covered in dirt, and he's limping. I think. I can't make him out for long enough to be sure.

My heart pounds furiously, but as I get closer, I see it's not Milo who's limping, but an elderly man who he's assisting. His hair, face, and shoulders are covered in a heavy coat of dirt and dust.

I finally get to him. "Hey," I pant. "Are you okay?"

"I am." A paramedic appears at the same time I do, and Milo explains to them, "This is Mr. Walsh. I pulled him out from under the rubble. His right leg hurts badly, and he has a cut on his face."

That's when I see the giant gash on the side of Mr. Walsh's face and the blood dripping from it.

The paramedics take over, and as soon as they do, I launch myself into Milo's arms. "Are you hurt? Anything broken? Concussed?"

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