"That's if they don't have them in the house," Hammer adds.
"They wouldn't be that stupid. Cops can show up and look through the windows any time they want. They need a permit to get through doors."
"I pick cellar," Darko calls. "Sounds way more interesting than a fucking garage."
"You get far too much joy out of this," Hammer notes.
"So?"
"I'll join you," Fang says.
"Jinx," Chaos says. "You go with me through the garage. Hammer. Stay point."
"Why do I miss out on the fun?"
"Because you've got the loudest voice to fuckin' holler if there's trouble."
"Fair," he mumbles.
Our group swings around the left turn, staggering positions when the road narrows. The asphalt chips away, and grass creeps onto the sides of the dark surface. A mailbox marker illuminates in the night, its pale orange glow growing as we near.
"That's the one," Darko whispers as though that'll fucking hide us when the growl of our bikes carries through the night.
"How long do you think we have before they get here?" Chaos asks, turning into the driveway.
"I'd say, given what time they should have left home, less than fifteen but more than eight," Darko answers.
"Oddly specific."
I agree with Hammer, but that's why we let Darko do what he does—he's fucking great with the details.
With the bikes assembled in position for an easy getaway, we split toward our respective destinations. Chaos strides toward the garage, gun still holstered on his body, not a care in the fucking world. Asshole has too much confidence for his own good.
And me, walking backward to watch his back as I scan the horizon for signs of the keeper.
"Ain't even padlocked," he gripes, sliding the deadbolt open. "Tell me they aren't here without telling me."
He hefts the left door open and frowns into the dark. I lean sideways against the still closed door, glancing between the horizon and what lies inside. The definite outline of a vehicle shadows the heart of the space, stacks of fuck knows what behind it. No obvious sign of people.
"Check the floor."
Chaos sighs, wandering into the darkness to circle the old car, kicking up dust as he does. I do a quick sweep of the outside of the building, noting there are no facilities for power or water. It looks less and less likely we'll find any girls here.
"Nothing," Chaos affirms, stepping out the door as I reach the front again.
He takes off across the yard toward the cellar door, Hammer raising an arm to give us a thumb up in the distance. I barely round the corner of the house before I crash into Chaos's back. An ear-splitting squeal cracks through the night as a streak of red and grey goes bolting to our right.
"Ah, shit." I take off after the woman, boots striking dirt as she crashes over the three-wire fence around the adjacent field.
"Fuck's sake," Chaos hollers behind me, presumably at the mess that unfolds under the house.
"Hey!" I leap the fence, knees jarring as I hit the ground on the other side. "We're here to help!"
"Fuck off!" The young woman pushes on, her heaving breaths reaching me as I close in on her.
I throw my arm out, snagging her shirt in my fist as I take us both to the ground.
"No! I'm not fucking going back." Rough nails cut at my arms, her legs thrashing between mine. "Let me go."
