Page 124 of Boulder's Weight

Lashes falls, blood blooming across her shoulder.

Rooster keeps firing, taking down one attacker before another's bullet catches him in the chest.

"Sam!" I scream as my brother takes a blow to the head, crumpling to the ground.

I scramble toward him, but strong hands grab me from behind, dragging me back.

I fight wildly, kicking, clawing, biting—anything to break free.

Something hard connects with my temple, sending stars exploding across my vision.

The last thing I see before darkness claims me is Sam's still form on the café floor, blood pooling beneath him.

***

I wake to the taste of metal in my mouth and the vibration of a moving vehicle.

My head throbs, and when I try to move, I discover my hands are bound behind my back.

I try to move my legs and feel the same thing—restraints.

Forcing my eyes open, I assess my surroundings.

I'm in what appears to be a cargo van, lying on my side on the metal floor.

Two men sit on benches along the sides, weapons resting across their laps.

Through the windshield, I can see it's dark outside, though whether it's the same night or days later, I have no idea.

Fear claws at my throat as memories come rushing back—the café, the ambush, Astra with a gun to her spine, Rooster getting shot in the chest, Sam lying motionless, bleeding...

Oh God, Sam.

Is he alive? Is Astra? Rooster? Lashes?

I must make a sound because one of the men notices I'm awake.

"She's up," he says to his companion. "Call the boss."

"Where am I?" I demand, struggling to sit up even though I’m restrained. "Where are you taking me?"

"Shut up," the first man says, not even looking at me. "You'll talk when he wants you to talk."

"Are they dead?" My voice cracks. "The people at the café?—"

This time, he turns toward me, expression unreadable in the dim light. "Not your concern anymore,chica."

The van slows, then stops.

The back doors open, revealing an industrial area I don't recognize.

Warehouses line the street, most dark and seemingly abandoned.

The exception is the one directly ahead, lights glowing from small windows high up on its walls.

"Move," one man orders, grabbing my arm and hauling me out of the van.

My legs are numb from being bound, and I stumble as my feet hit the ground.

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