Shivering, she pulled in a long breath of the cold, clean night air, free of the stink of blood and fear. Somewhere closer to the center of the compound, men were talking quietly. Off in the forest, an owl hooted.

Her gait faltered. The noise at the front gate had stopped. Their diversion was gone.

Merda. Everything inside her wanted to run…run out the fence to the shelter of the forest. She mustn’t.

Gabe led the way at a measured pace—because running would instantly draw attention. The fence seemed so far away. The tension in her muscles made it difficult to even move. Please, don’t let us be discovered now.

Trying to saunter, she followed the others into the shadows between the two buildings. Gabe thumped on the side of the children’s barracks, and at the rear, Chevy came out the back door.

At last, they reached the opening in the fence where JJ kept watch. Almost to safety. Almost. Chevy edged out, then held the cut chain-link section open for the rest of them.

Bull went next. Kit lay unconscious in his arms, her breathing labored. Frankie’s hands fisted. Caz said her ribs were cracked and broken. If Obadiah’s kick had hit her, she would’ve died.

Bless you, Hawk.

Bull passed Kit to Chevy. “Move fast—and carefully.” The muscular woodworker headed for the forest at a quick, smooth pace.

Get her out, Chevy. Please.

Frankie slipped through the fence and held it as Hawk went through with Aric, clinging like a little monkey, in his arms. She felt a pang, wanting to reassure the child, but it wouldn’t help. He was so young he probably didn’t even remember her.

JJ and Gabe came through, and Gabe leaned forward to tell Hawk, “Move out and catch up with Chevy. Precious cargo.”

“Yeah.” Hawk took off, sliding from shadow to shadow.

Meanwhile, Caz snapped on two padlocks to pull the cut fencing edges together at knee height.

As they all headed for the open area, Frankie took up position just behind Bull.

“Intruders!” A shout shattered the quiet. “Back of the women’s barracks!”

The alarm spread. Men yelled. Ran toward the fence.

“Spread out and get to the forest!” Gabe pushed JJ after Frankie.

Gripping her staff, Frankie tore across the open area, arms pumping, shoulders hunched as if she could make herself a smaller target.

Loud swearing filled the air as the PZs were forced to squirm through the fence opening that’d been constricted by the padlocks.

The crack of gunfire sounded, and terror made Frankie almost drop to the ground.

“Zigzag,” Bull yelled.

She veered right, then left. Bullets hit the ground near her, and dirt sprayed up. Zig. A tree in the forest splintered. Zag. Don’t be predictable. She lunged left again. A sharp sound came from her right as a bullet hit a rock.