scrambled to back away from the burning building, smoke beginning to pour out from the roof.
The other patrons and staff were appearing, all of them being dropped off at lightning speed. Every
time the door was about to shut, it suddenly swung open again as someone else was brought outside.
Snod cursed, knowing it was a risky use of Frankie’s ability, but everyone was disoriented and
scared. No one was going to question the nature of their rescue.
Snod rushed over to check on his brother first, hugging him tightly. “It’s Ephraim,” he hissed in his
ear. “I saw him.”
“Oh, no,” Athaliah gasped, his eyes wide in fear. “Why... why would he do this?”
“I don’t know,” Snod said, shaking his head. “I think it’s because of me. I wouldn’t give the Order
what they wanted.”
Athaliah cried quietly, wrapping his arms around Snod’s waist, sniffing defiantly, “I won’t let him
take you.”
Every second miserably dragged on as more people appeared, and Snod kept his eyes on the door as
his stomach tightened down. He thought he felt blazing pain and a surge of sudden fear, but he didn’t
know if it was his own or Frankie’s that he was experiencing.
Something was terribly wrong.
“Come on, Frankie,” Snod hissed desperately. “Where are you?”
Part of the roof had collapsed, and he could hear sirens wailing off in the distance from an
approaching fire engine and police. All of the patrons and staff seemed to be accounted for now, but
the door had finally shut.
Still no Frankie.
“Is this everyone?” Lorenzo asked breathlessly, coughing weakly.
“Frankie is still in there!” Snod snarled. He tried to open the door, kicking it furiously when it
wouldn’t budge.
“Can’t open the door from that side!” Rees woefully reminded him, wheezing from his spot on the
ground. “Gotta go around front!”
“Take care of him,” Snod snapped at Lorenzo, gently pushing Athaliah into his arms. “I’m going after
Frankie.”
“Obie!” Athaliah called out in protest. “Be careful!”
Snod took off at a dead run, sprinting down the alley and turning the corner to the front of the building.
