The inside of the tent is dark, and I fumble around for several seconds before Luke pulls open the tent flap. “Hurry!” he shouts.
For a second, the firelight from outside illuminates the inside of the tent.
It’s empty.
The C-4 triggers are gone.
GENESIS
“Put it down,” Óscar shouts, and I turn to see Holden aiming a pistol at him and Natalia. Óscar’s rifle hangs at his back, temporarily out of reach.
“Get out of our way,” Holden growls. Penelope stands next to him, eyes wide and terrified.
“G ...” Indiana is suddenly at my side. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.” I wrap my arms around him. He has a black eye and bloody knuckles, but he’s okay too.
“Put the gun down,” Óscar repeats, and I let Indiana go.
“Holden ...” I take several slow steps toward him, and Indiana mirrors my careful approach.
“Stay back, Gen,” Holden orders. His hand is steady, but his voice is not. “You had it coming.”
“I know.” His eyes are glassy. “Holden, give me the gun. Shooting people isn’t like shooting big game.”
“I’m not going to—” He glances at me and Indiana, and Óscar swings the rifle up.
“Holden!” Penelope shouts.
Holden turns back to Óscar and his hand twitches. The gun fires.
I fall backward. My ears ring. The gunshot echoes in my head and I can’t hear anything else.
The gun falls from my hand.
A man lies on the floor next to my mother. His eyes are open. Blood swells from his chest.
I don’t realize I’m screaming until my hearing comes back.
Óscar hits the ground on his back. The rifle lands across his stomach. He blinks once. Twice. Then his gaze loses focus.
Penelope screams.
“No!” Natalia collapses at Óscar’s side, clutching her bloody shoulder.
Holden stares at them. He’s breathing too fast. His eyes are wild and shiny, but they hold no guilt. No comprehension. Nothing.
“Holden!” Penelope reaches for him, and he turns on her. Still holding the gun. Something has cracked, deep inside him.
Indiana steps in front of Penelope. “Put the gun down. Slowly.”
Holden blinks. Then he runs into the jungle, straight into the flames.
0.5 HOURS EARLIER
MADDIE
“There are no triggers!”
