“Oh, is that so?” Bubba laughed again. “You two are playin’ house, then. How cute.”

“Where are you going with this?” Adam asked. “What are your plans for us?”

“You’re not from around here, are you?” Bubba asked.

“We’re from around Mountain View,” Adam said. “We had to run from the fires.”

“Why here?”

“I used to come here when I was a kid. It has happy memories.” Adam knew it was a mistake to share information with this guy, but Bubba was the one with the rifle. He didn’t think he’d have a chance of getting back to his own weapons without getting shot.

Bubba pointed at Emma. “Stand up, missy. Step closer to the fire so’s I can get a better look at you.”

Emma shot a panicked glance at Adam, then did as she was told. In the glow of the dying flames, Adam saw a smudge of dirt on her cheek. Her boots were untied, her blouse undone just enough to be tempting. She noticed and moved to button up.

“No, don’t do that,” Bubba said. “In fact, go the other way. Take that blouse off.”

Emma froze.

“Take the Bronco,” Adam said. “We don’t have to be animals.” He was stalling for time. This was spinning out of control and he had to find the handle for the brakes.

“Oh, I’ll be taking the Bronco. But I think maybe I’d like to take a ride with your friend, too.”

Emma’s whole body began to shake. Really shake. Not a tremble, but gross movement of her hands, shoulders and legs. They were the kind of movements Adam had never seen in anyone before.

“Take that shirt off for me, missy. Let me see them titties.”

This was not going to happen. Adam guessed the distance that separated him from Bubba and his . . . whatever the hell she was . . . to be fifteen feet, twenty at most.

Emma’s hands shook so bad that she had a hard time managing the buttons.

“I don’t got all night, missy,” Bubba said. Then he laughed. “Actually, I guess I do have all night.” He shifted his gaze to Adam. “I can hear you thinkin’, boy. You’re thinkin’ you can take me, ain’t you? Skinny city kid like you?” This time, his laugh sounded like he was genuinely amused.

“Adam?” Emma whispered.

“You need to do as you’re told,” Bubba said. He turned his head toward his friend in the tattered clothes. “This wet-behind-the-ears whelp thinks—”

Adam had been waiting for Bubba to be distracted. As soon as the man looked away, Adam launched. He plowed straight through the fire, stirring a cloud of embers that enveloped his legs.