Chapter Forty-Five
Slate
My head snaps towards the woods at a very sharp sound that propagates throughout the trees. An untrained ear they wouldn’t hear it, but Onyx has an obsession with firearms and how they sound in different circumstances.
Someone just shot a gun.
My feet take off before the echoing sound of the gunshot fades.
Frost must have heard it too, even over the distant chaos around the front of the building.
I think we’re the only ones who have come round the back to make sure no one was left here, hiding.
He runs beside me, pointing to the west side of the trees, saying he will radio it in.
I don’t wait.
I continue to run as fast as my legs can take me. Faster even. If she’s hurt, I won’t survive. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want her to be okay.
Bile rises in my throat at the thought she might not be.
My body is running on pure adrenaline.
Hearing something new – maybe footfall?– I push myself forward, stumbling through the trees into the thick undergrowth.
It’s dark and savage, branches and thorns tear at my arms as fast as I can fight my way through them.
I don’t even care that my white shirt is stained through with blood.
I have to get to Amelie. Nothing else matters.
My legs burn from the assault of branches and thick shrubbery.
How far in are they? I see a figure and I run full speed to take them out, my body is thrown backwards before I get a chance to collide with the fucker.
I hit the ground hard, my air constricted from being clothes lined by something.
I blink, trying to make my eyes adjust again, and suck in some much-needed air.
“Slate?” Sawyer questions.
“What the fuck?! You almost killed me!” I snap.
“I saw someone running at Kalen, he already has a concussion.”
Kalen steps out and holds a handout to help me up.
“Did you hear the gunshot?” Sawyer asks, and I nod. “I think it came from that direction.”
“Slightly to the left actually,” I say.
Sawyer trusts my instincts, he knows how many hours Onyx spent listening to this kind of crap.
He wanted to be the best, and all his time goes into training or studying, because we choose to share a room, I’m an expert too.
I’ve never been so grateful for Onyx’s annoying obsessions and perfectionism.
Another shot fills the air, closer this time. Too close for comfort. We all take off running, There was no denying where the sound came from. A clearing comes into view up ahead.
I know my brothers are just as worried as I am. We all reach the open space at the same time. A cold sweat washes over my body and bile rises to my mouth. I lose the contents of my stomach.
The sight in front of me isn’t what I was expecting, and I hate myself for the relief I feel.