He holds the chain over the side of the walkway, threatening to let the ring fall into the mass of greyskins. I stand for a moment, breathing heavily. Thoughts flow in and out of my mind uncontrollably. I’ve never felt more rage. I’ve never wanted to kill someone like this before, but more than wanting to kill him, I want to get the ring back. It means everything to me. Lucas means everything to me. I can feel my limbs begin to shake under the weight of my weapon.

“Give me the crowbar,” he says.

I’m about to drop it to the floor. I know he won’t drop the ring. If I just lunge for the chain, I’ll get it and Ethan will swoop in and kill Scarecrow. I feel the crowbar begin to slip from my fingers, but in the last moment, I grip it tightly again.

No.

Lucas was more than a ring to me. Though it symbolized the love we shared, he is gone and it’s time to let him go.

I have seen the future, and I don’t like it.

Change it.

“Drop the ring for all I care,” I say. I can barely believe the words coming out of my mouth.

Scarecrow lifts and eyebrow. “Have it your way.” His fingers release the chain and ring into the crowd of greyskins.

My heart sinks as it falls into the swarm below, but I see that Scarecrow has turned his head to watch it fall. This is my chance. I charge forward, rearing back with the crowbar. Just before I hit him square in the chest, he turns to look at me and the shock on his face shows he isn’t ready. The next blow is to his jaw and it drops him to the floor. I hit him again and again, screaming out as each swing presses deeper into his flesh.

“Waverly!” comes a voice from behind me. It’s Ethan. “Finish it!”

Scarecrow looks up at me, teeth missing, an eye swollen shut. I hit him with the crowbar in the shoulder and he rolls flat on his belly. With a heave, I shove him over the side with my leg, into the crowd of famished greyskins below.

My mind reels as I run with Ethan through the door and down the stairs. I can hear the screams of the raiders behind us, the greyskins overwhelming them. I hear the greyskins all around. It’s awful.

“What did you do?” I ask through labored breaths.

“There was a herd,” Ethan said. “We just let them in. Come on, this way.” He leads me down hall after hall. By the time we reach the others, I’m out of breath. The thunder outside booms loudly with a flash of bright lightening. When I see Gabe and Gilbert waiting for us, I want to cry. This is the moment I have dreaded for days.