light in the ashes
He grabbed Julian’s arm, hauling him forcefully to his feet, and led him in a dead sprint directly into the dense, pitch-black forest surrounding the burning property.
Automatic rifle rounds snapped through the wet pine branches above their heads as surviving shooters stationed on the upper ridge opened fire on the burning perimeter. Freezing rain lashed violently against Julian’s face, turning the steep forest floor into a treacherous, slick slope of mud, decaying leaves, and exposed tree roots. Julian stumbled twice, his knees bruising against sharp rocks, but Gabe’s iron grip on his arm kept him from falling into the dark abyss of the slope.