Would normally wait my turn, but they’re in no danger—just my blue passenger and Ruby. God,
Finally the stairs. No one coming down. They may not’ve even seen up there—in their own little world—can’t even see out the window if they’re sitting down. Even if they did see the mayhem, they may think staying up there is the safest place for them to be. Might be right.
No safe place for us.
Three steps at a time. Have to keep at an angle to keep Ambrosia’s head from hitting the wall. Into the dark blue room in a flash. Not here. Scan room again. Gone.
Dashing toward the bar, I scream, “Where the hell is Ruby?”
“Left after you did, Simon—not her babysitter.”
“Mother—”
Don’t finish my cursing. Dash back downstairs. Heart lunging.
“Ruby!” squeals Ambrosia from my shoulders, realizing her friend was here and is now missing.
Eardrums rumble with my pulse, thundering with the storm that’s my fear. Flashing—rumbling—pouring over me.
I look at the area between the stairs and the exit—no sign of her. Maybe missed her in the main room—look fast—deserted. Except for the DJ frantically unhooking some gear up on the balcony.
Outside—she might be outside.
Sprint to the exit. Nudge past the last of the stumbling evacuees.
Outside’s crowded. Sidewalk, street, and opposing sidewalk—all cluttered with people. Looks like a street party—Bourbon after a parade.
People are panicked—terrified as individuals, yet enticed, enjoying sharing the event as a group—somehow gaining coolness points like they’re witnessing Woodstock. Few leave. Stand around. No idea how fast Roderick and his three minions could rip them apart if they felt the urge to.
Madness.
Lucky for them, Roderick is so obsessed with the package on my shoulders that he cares for little else.
Scan the area.
Scan left—nothing.
Scan right—nothing.
Push through people.
“Simon!” shouts Ambrosia over my shoulder, trying hard to wiggle free.
Just as her voice invades my ears, I see Ruby. Above the crowd. Eyes lock. My heart leaps, but then it crashes back in panic—too high—she’s too high above the crowd—she’s not that tall. Terror runs in her eyes.
“Simon!” Ambrosia shouts again over my shoulder.
“Shh! I see her. I see Rub—”
Sting shoots into my shoulder blade—the bottom ridge. Eyes try to roll back. Ambrosia falls from the tops of my shoulders. Sharp pain rushes through my veins.
Sickness.
Spreading.
Struggle turn around. Fall to one knee.
See Carvelli just as he punches my face, syringe still in his hand. Needle jabs into my cheek and tears out as he pulls away.
Visions of Ruby being dragged away by Roderick send me into a rage. Fling my fist into Carvelli’s groin. He bellows as his breath leaves him. Grab his head—diving my fingernails into it. Slam my knee at full force into his face—feel his nose break and go flat beneath me.
Again and again—slam my knee into his mess of a face. Let him drop to the ground. Hands cover his face, but he doesn’t move except to breathe.
Frantically look around. Ambrosia, holding her hip as she gets to her feet, turns to run away. Crowd has backed away from us.
Rush at Ambrosia, grab her shoulder and yank her to me. Having trouble keeping my balance. Growing dizzy.
Blackness behind eyes becoming heavier.
Bark into her ears, “Get on the ground—crawl upstairs—hide behind bar—wait there! Now!”
Shakes her head—refusing.
“Ruby needs us! Now! Now!”
Half tossing her to the ground, I push her in the direction. On all fours she makes her way to the bar. For once—hope she listens. For all our lives—hope she crawls fast—low to ground. Fast. Low. Or all dead.
Ruby.
Only thought.
Don’t see her face.
Carvelli on ground still breathes—doesn’t move besides that.
Look where I saw Ruby held above crowd. Nothing. Just people. Stumble that way. Still nothing.
Crowd parts out of my way. No doubt why. Blood back of head. Needle hole in cheek. Wish crowd did this earlier. Could’ve saved her.
Ruby. Ruby.
There she is. She is! Above crowd again.
Step closer. Those in the middle rush to sidewalk. Path clears a view into hell.
Roderick has Ruby by her waist, hoisting her above his head, making sure that I see her—luring me in.
Sting from shoulder spreads into my lungs—breathing slows. Stinging through head—thoughts sludge. Eyes heavy. Ruby…
“Ruby!” my one thought pours from my lips.
“Simon!” she cries, voice cracking, tears glistening down her cheeks, over her lips, and down her neck.
Roderick drops her to her feet to the side of him. Quint grabs both her arms—pins them behind her back, keeping her from falling to the ground.
“Sad thing being separated from what you want, Simon—from what you
Try to speak, but blackness floods vision, drowns thoughts.
“See what hell you’ve been putting me through, dear boy? Not fun to have someone toy with what you
“La-let her go, Roderick. Kill you. Swear I-I’ll—” words trail, my body sways.
Blackness.
Voice cuts through the void, “Can’t even say it, you fool, much less do it.”
“Simon!” her voice stings worse than the junk they shot in me.
Try shake head clear. Nothing. Shake again.
Jump at Roderick—kick square in his chest. Falls back step.
Swing at his head. Glances over jaw.
Blackness rises in mind.
Raise hands to swing—block—something—can’t see.
Punches pummel my head. He can’t be moving that fast—mind so slow—numb—just seems fast.
Concrete smacks back of head and neck.
Laughter. Hear it above me.
Shouts. Cursing all ‘round me.
Cursing and laughter fighting.
Hear crash—beer smell—glass and wetness falls on me again.
Roderick snarling now—no laughter.
Finally see something. Roderick yelling at crowd—beer running down his face—his shirt and head drenched in
