Page 92 of Mountain Void

Lorenz cocked his head sideways.

“Really?”

“Really. But you leave the teacher here with me. For insurance.”

Charlie’s body trembled.

Lorenz laughed a humorless laugh. “There is no way she’s staying here with you.”

“Then nobody goes anywhere,” Pelletier said, his tone final.

“Let’s think about this for a moment, Monsieur Pelletier. We don’t need to make this worse.”

Pelletier’s grip shifted back to his right hand. “You don’t get to decide that.”

“No,” Lorenz agreed. Charlie realized he’d shifted, so he was half in front of her. Once again standing between her and danger. “You do.”

Charlie could almost see the wheels turning in Pelletier’s mind—

“You said you wanted to talk,” Lorenz continued. “So put the weapon down and talk.”

“Maybe I should kill the bitch. She’s the one who filled my son’s head with lies about me,” he spat.

Behind her, Théo squeaked out. “No, papa, it’s not like that.”

“You shut up,” Pelletier threatened. “If you know what’s good for you.”

“Stop. You’re scaring him,” Charlie said. “He’s scared of you.”

Fury clouded Pelletier’s features. Charlie realized she’d made a mistake. Maybe her last mistake. Pelletier’s weapon turned towards her—just as Lorenz launched himself at Pelletier.

“Down!” Lorenz shouted.

The weapon went off, the sound exploding through the hut.

So loud, so close.

Charlie stumbled. Her heart slammed against her ribs, but she moved on instinct, half-crawling towards the far end of the hut. Towards Théo.

Behind her, two bodies slammed into the ground. She didn’t turn around.

Finally, she reached the boy. His eyes were wide.

“Théo! Come with me!” she begged, stretching a hand.

Another shot. Wood splintered above them.

She turned to see Lorenz and Pelletier engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Lorenz wrapped a hand around Pelletier’s wrist. He slammed it against the floor once, twice, three times. The weapon fell from the big man’s hand. Lorenz threw it across the room. Then he raised his head, his eyes searching for her.

“Go, Charlie! Take the boy and run!”

This time, Charlie didn’t hesitate. Her fingers closed around the boy’s hand. “I’ve got you, Théo. Come with me.”

When they reached the door, she couldn’t help but turn.

The fight was brutal. Pelletier had managed to stand up, slamming Lorenz onto the wooden table, which splintered into pieces as he landed. There was a dull, sickening sound as he fell. Charlie shuddered. She had to help him. She couldn’t leave Lorenz here alone.

No.