Page 29 of Perilous Action

Some of the older kids immediately rush over to me and I wrap my arms around them.

“He protected you!Why are you back?What’s going on?What are all the sounds upstairs?”The questions from the kids keep coming.

I motion for all of them to be quiet and when I look up, everyone in the basement is staring at me.

“We’re here to get you out.There are people waiting outside to bring you to safe new places to live.From now on, you’re free.The Hearts no longer have any control over you.”I motion for the kids to leave, but the wall of guards is much too scary for them.

Luckily, that’s the moment Vera slips between them and they step aside.

“You see that lady over there?She’s my mate.If you follow her, she’ll bring you to safety.”I stand up, wishing I could be with Mathew right this moment, but we need to get the kids out first.

The kids move slowly, many of them unsure of what to do.

Finally, when Xavier and Nathan show up, things seem to get easier.The two aren’t all decked out in gear and that probably makes it much easier for the kids to believe that they’re ‘safe’.

Once all the kids, and the handful of adults, are out, Vera rushes over to me, hugging me.“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.Mathew was shot.”Now we no longer have to be here, I can’t wait to go to him.

“I know.Riley is already with him.We should go.”She takes my hand and we follow the last kids.

But, just as we step out the back door, Caleb’s voice comes through our earpieces.“The vans have reached the front of the building.Get ready to fight.”