The gunfire carried between the houses, followed almost immediately by shouting.
Marlon heard a door slam somewhere behind them. Farther ahead, a light swung across the street, searching for the source of the shots.
They had lost whatever chance remained of getting back quietly.
"Keep moving!"
He led them away from the bodies, with Lucy close beside him. Christopher and Tommy followed, while Cindy and Maribel stayed protected in the middle with Ryan and Callighan. Sydney kept pace beside them. Rachel remained at the rear, looking back whenever the noise behind them changed.
Their formation held, but their pace was slower than Marlon wanted.
Cindy could carry Ryan without struggling under his weight; that was not the problem. Every uneven step moved his injured body against her, and she kept adjusting her hold to stop his head from falling awkwardly against her shoulder.
Maribel had less concern for Callighan's comfort, but she still had to keep him secure while running.
