Page 124 of Born Savage

I took several breaths as instructed, but standing where we were wasn’t safe. A single sharp cry from the forest and I jerked my head up.

“That sounds like Blade. We need to go to him.” I broke free, determined to get to the sweet Savage, but was jerked backward.

“We need to cross this bridge. Now.”

“I can’t. I’m too scared. You go.”

With his head cocked, his long hair in his face, which was covered with a thick beard, he grinned and it was as if the sun was beaming down on us. There was even mischief in his eyes. “Not without you, princess. You’re the star of the show. Remember? I will have failed my mission if I don’t bring you to safety. You don’t want me to fail. Now do you?”

Boom!

Another chunk of concrete fell, opening up a hole only a few yards away. I looked over my shoulder, noticing something emerging from the woods.

“Take my hand, princess. You’ve got this. I’ve got you. Just trust me. I won’t let you fall.”

In those few seconds of facing the very fear I’d thought would never leave, I realized what I’d thought earlier was bullshit.

It was time to erase the fear altogether. I took his hand, whimpering only once. That was the only one allowed. A vibration was felt in my feet. More of the surface was about to give way.

His brows knitted together and he didn’t need to tell me to run.

He never let go of my hand, staying close even though I couldn’t run nearly as fast as him.

“Don’t look anywhere but in front of you.” I heard his command and it provided some sense of protection. But immediately, I began to feel lightheaded, almost as if I was going to faint. But I kept running, occasionally looking over my shoulder.

“They’re coming. Shit.”

Rage slowed us briefly to scan the perimeter. “Not that much further.”

After shielding my eyes, I could almost see the other end. There were so many trees.

Boom. Another chunk fell off.

Suddenly, it seemed as if there were more and more cracks appearing. I was so frightened I couldn’t feel my legs, but I trusted in Rage as he guided us around every crevice, even tackling me to the ground when a piece of the railing crashed down close to where we were.

My shriek filtered above the water, but I could still hear the faint grunts and yells of the Dwellers.

“Run. Run. Run!”

Rage’s voice kept me going even when it felt as if my legs would give out on me. Suddenly, there was a cheering section, Vicious and Wrath beckoning us. Jake was there, no longer barking, but his tail was swishing back and forth.

And little Wren seemed different, as if older and wiser. She had her arms wrapped around Wrath’s neck, but her face was serene.

As if she knew we’d make it.

The vibrations continued. So did the sounds of gunfire and as we reached the end, I dared pull away and take a few seconds to see what was going on.

Once again, I shielded my eyes, blinking several times to try to focus. “What are they doing?” I could see Ghost and Wizard placing something on the bridge then rushing back toward the other side.

A massive arm wrapped around me, dragging me back until I was forced off the bridge entirely.

Once on the ground, he refused to let me go until we were safely on a knoll several yards above the bridge. That allowed me to watch in horror in seeing just how many Dwellers there were. Hundreds of them. My God. What was going on?

“What is going on? We can’t get rid of them.”

Rage nuzzled into my ear, the warmth of his body not nearly enough to keep a chill from coursing down my spine. “They’re doing what’s necessary to keep us safe. They’re heroes, Star. They will always be remembered for their bravery.”

“What are you saying?”