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Silence.

My route brought us here.

My plan gets us out.

Lyla leans closer, arms still folded. “You’ve planned a mall robbery before, Red?”

I shake my head.

Joanie deflates. “Less comforting.”

I tap the mall again, then sign slower.

“ ‘Malls are machines. Loading docks. Service corridors. Generator access. Storage cages. Back halls. Systems.’ ”

I tap the map.

“ ‘Systems we can use.’ ”

Clair steps closer, studying the map. “If they’re running generators, there should be heat, noise, exhaust. Maybe fuel residue near storage areas.”

I look at her.

Pride hits hard and fast.

Exactly.

She catches my look, and her cheeks pink, but she doesn’t shrink from it this time.

Progress.

I sign again, and this time no one jokes.

“ ‘Noise first. Fire only if needed. Explosives last resort.’ ”

For the first time in days, the map doesn’t look like a wall.

It looks like a way through.

Lyla studies me for a long second, then gives one sharp nod. “All right, Red. Your plan. My knives.”

Joanie fist-pumps the air. “Fuck yes. We’re back in business, people.”

I turn back to the group, and the energy shifts. My mind is already cutting paths through the mall, through the dead, through people worse than dead.

I sign again.

Trish claps her hands once and translates. “ ‘First, we make sure we’re stocked on a few key items.’ ”

My gaze lands on Clair.

Trish follows it and grins. “I think you know what he means, Ms. Frizzle.”

Clair grins back. “Oh, I definitely do.”

TWENTY-TWO

UNLEASHED