"You better have the boat ready, Tommy!" Keith shouted as they ran through the darkness.
"It is!" Tommy shouted back without turning around. "Just run instead of crying!"
He was trying to sound annoyed, but the fear was obvious in his voice.
Tommy had to keep his attention on the path ahead while forcing the handcart forward as fast as possible. The route from the houses to the shoreline was a complete mess, filled with overgrown grass, broken pavement, loose rocks, fallen branches, and uneven ground that made every step dangerous.
He had tried to clear the fastest path when he could.
Not enough to make it easy.
Just enough to know where the worst obstacles were.
But his original plan had never included being chased by armed men.
It had been supposed to be simple.
Get Emily out quietly.
Free Mei and Keith.
Reach the shore.
Meet Ryan.
Leave Brigantine before anyone noticed.
Now the entire town was awake.
More gunshots rang out from behind them.
