“Still in the car. Hurry up.”
My heart pounded so hard I was afraid it would burst. I made myself as small as possible, trying not to whimper as I pulled my limbs closer together and praying the dark shadows under the floor would hide me.
There was a hollow tearing noise. Then something poked through the hole. I recognized it as an old charred piece of wood from the building’s frame. It moved the debris around.
Another set of footsteps joined. Three people now. I clenched my eyes shut.
“Got a light?”
I heard the metallic flick.
“Not a lighter, you jackass!” A smacking noise and a grunt. “Give me your phone.”
My eyes shot open in panic. They were going to shine a light down the hole. Swallowing hard, I looked around. It was dim and dusty and there was barely enough space to move. As quietly as I could, I shuffled backwards, keeping a sharp eye on the hole entrance.
My back hit a wall. A concrete foundation pillar. I groaned inwardly. I couldn’t go any further than this. I was backed into a corner.
The footsteps above shuffled, and a light poured into the darkness a moment later. I held my breath.
The cold light shone on my face, making me growl.
“There.”
I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped me. The light veered away, making me see spots a moment before the footsteps above sounded harder and heavier than before. More determined.
Something cracked and exploded above my head. Black and splintered wood rained from above as they broke the floorboards.
No!
A hand fisted in my hair and yanked me upwards. I snarled and kicked out, but the world spun and I landed on my back, breathless. Dust and ash swirled around in thick clouds, obscuring my vision. Something heavy clasped around my wrists.
“This him?” one of the voices grunted.
The dust settled. I gazed frantically around.
The man who mugged Doris was right in front of me, surrounded by two men I didn’t recognize. They had my forearms pinned to the ground. Panicked, I kicked out, but yelped when one of them kicked me in the knee.
“Stay still!”
I gasped, panting loudly.
The mugger stared at me with wide eyes. He looked just as shocked as I felt. Tense, his gaze flickered back and forth between my face and the men holding me down.
“Is this him?” one of the men snapped.
The mugger nodded slowly. “Yeah. It’s him.”
“Good. Let’s get out of here.”
My bear snarled inside me. Instinctively, I snapped my teeth towards one of the hands pinning me. The other man gave me a sharp yank in the other direction.
“Don't even think about it,” he growled.
“Who are you!?” I snapped.
I didn’t get an answer. They hauled me to my feet. My bear scratched at the surface of my consciousness, desperately wanting to fight back.
But the mugger I’d attacked earlier was watching me warily. He wore a black tank top and the scars I’d given him were right there in the open. Huge claw marks marred his flesh, and it was my fault. I felt a flash of guilt.
