“What’s new?” People haven’t been happy for a while. Stress from being chased by a vicious gang while also half-starved and injured aren’t things that fill people with joy.
His gaze turns sharp. “I’m serious, Rhys. People will do stupid, dangerous things when they’re scared and pushed to the edge.”
Damn. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. Yet another thing to worry about and keep me up at night.
“I’ll handle it,” I sigh and rake a hand through my hair. I’ll need to cut it soon before it gets too long and starts getting into my eyes.
“See that you do andsoon.”
I pat him on the shoulder and move on to another room. There’s no chance I’m getting any sleep soon, so I may as well make sure everyone on watch is doing their job.
I stalk quietly through the house, careful not to wake those who are sleeping. I don’t need to piss these people off even more by disturbing their sleep. Most that are on watch are those who sided with me during the showdown at the barn and are quick to reassure me they’ve spotted no movement outside. One or two on duty, however, need reminding that it’s their job to keep a lookout for threats and protect the rest of the group.
Pretty sure I made them hate me more when I’m particularly short with one guy who is fuckingsleepinginstead of staying watch in one of the upstairs bedrooms. I know I should care, especially after what Simon said, but I just don’t. Lazy people like this asshole won’t do shit. They’ll just whine and complain but won’t actually do anything to change the situation. I’m very familiar with the type.
By the time I finish my rounds, I’m dragging ass. My limbs feel like they’re weighed down with concrete, and my eyes are barely stayingopen. I’m still restless, worries swirling in my gut, but I’m at the point of exhaustion where my body doesn’t care. So when I finally curl up in my sleeping bag, I’m out before my head even touches the pillow.
The acrid stench ofpetrol fills my nose, jarring me from my sleep.
I bolt upright, instantly alert as my eyes flick around the dark front hallway where I finally bedded down for the night. No one else is here, and I don’t see any sign of where the smell is coming from. There aren’t any shouts or screams. But that stench is unmistakable and has alarm bells blaring in my mind.
I untangle myself from my sleeping bag, shove on my boots and grab my rifle before striding down the hallway to the kitchen. Five people sleep soundly on the peeling linoleum flooring, oblivious to the potential threat, including the fucker who’s supposed to be on watch. But I ignore that, instead scanning the room for threats. I find nothing.
The next few rooms yield similar results, all with sleeping guards. Something I’ll have to deal with when there’s no impending threat.
I’m about to ascend the staircase when Simon comes thundering down, not caring who he wakes up. His dark eyes are manic and bloodshot, and his clothes are sleep-rumpled, as if he just woke up.
“We’ve got a problem. There’s—” Glass smashes in the kitchen before he can finish.
Screams fill the air, followed by the choking stench of smoke. We hurry into the kitchen and straight into chaos. Flames lick up the curtains of the smashed window as black smoke saturates the air. People scramble away from the fire, eyes wide and glazed with terror as they grab what they can and flee. Outside, unfamiliar men shout and laugh.
Ice trickles down my spine. The Scourge has found us.
Movement outside catches my attention, and instinct takes over. I lift my rifle, aim, and squeeze out several shots. Simon lifts his shotgun and follows my lead, peppering the broken window with lead. Yells and screams follow, telling me we’ve hit at least several assailants. Good, means they’ll think twice before coming close to the house again.
The fire grows wilder, the bright orange flames towering above us to spread across the ceiling. Thick black smoke billows around us, poisoning the air and making my eyes water. I don’t attempt to put out the fire. There’s no point. I simply grab Simon and drag us both out of the room and shut the heavy door behind us. It should contain it for a little while, giving us time to figure out a plan.
Seconds later, Theo, Alex and Ollie come barrelling in from the utility room, Harlow trotting behind them. They’re all suited up for a fight, backpacks slung over their shoulders and weapons ready. This isn’t the first time the Scourge has ambushed us during the night, and like me, they’re ready to face the threat.
My chest swells with pride.
“What’s going on?” Theo asks as he glances around, his face devoid of his usual amusement.
“Scourge bastards have found us and thrown a Molotov or something through the kitchen window to set a fire.”
Several curses ring out, and Harlow sneezes for good measure, reminding me that the smoke can still escape and it’s deadlier than the flames.
“We need to evacuate,” I say, glancing around. Everyone has a grim expression on their faces, no doubt coming to the same conclusion I have: the Scourge are flushing us out like rabbits from a burrow. And we have no choice but to flee. “Start waking everyone up.Quickly. I want everyone ready to move in five minutes.”
The four of them nod and stride off to do as I ask.
Shoving aside my fear and doubts, I march over to my sleeping area and shove everything into my bag. I’ve just finished when Rachel emerges from one of the side rooms, kitted out and ready to take on anything.
“What’s the situation?” she asks as she follows me into the utility room on the other side of the kitchen.
“The Scourge are here and have thrown a Molotov into the kitchen.” I peer out of the window, eyes straining to make out the faint figures in the dark.
“Any intel on how many?”
