Chapter 12 - Fire in the RootsThe blast came from the upper level.
The farm shook as if the dead apple trees had finally decided to tear their roots from the earth.
Julian grabbed Maisie and shielded her as the ceiling cracked above them. Dust rained down. Lights shattered. Somewhere nearby, metal screamed under pressure.
“Elena!” Maisie shouted.
“I’m here!” her mother called from the hall.
Finn’s voice followed. “Move, move, move!”
The drainage tunnel had become their only chance.
Julian lowered Maisie into it first, then helped Elena, Finn, and the remaining children descend. Cyrus refused to go until every child and dog had entered.
The second blast hit as Julian dropped into the tunnel.
Fire chased the ceiling above them.
The drainage passage was narrow, wet, and freezing. Maisie crawled on hands and knees through black water that smelled of rust and earth. Children cried ahead of her. Dogs panted and slipped. Finn stayed behind her, one hand occasionally touching her ankle so she knew he was there.
Elena crawled in front, guiding the smaller children by voice.
Julian brought up the rear with Cyrus.
The tunnel forked.
Maisie stopped.
“What?” Finn whispered.
She listened.
One path carried air.
The other carried water.
And beneath both, faintly, she heard Victor Sable’s voice.
He was not behind them.
He was ahead.
“Left,” she said.
Julian’s voice came from the rear. “Why?”
“Because he went right.”
Finn almost choked. “Then shouldn’t we go away from him?”
“He has the exit.”
Nobody liked that answer.
They turned right.
The tunnel rose gradually until concrete became old brick. The air grew colder. Rainwater dripped from above. The children were exhausted, but fear kept them moving.
At last, they reached a rusted ladder beneath a circular hatch.
Mace’s voice crackled through Julian’s radio. “Boss, we’ve got survivors coming out near the creek. Dogs too. Main structure is burning. Where are you?”
“Secondary drainage exit,” Julian said. “Possible contact with Sable.”
“Hold position.”
“No.”
He climbed first.
Julian pushed the hatch open slowly.
Rain fell through the gap.
No gunshot came.
He lifted himself out and scanned the area.
They had emerged in the old orchard behind the barn, near a stone pump house. Flames rose in the distance, turning the rain orange.
One by one, the children climbed out.
Elena helped Maisie.
Finn emerged last, shivering and furious at the universe.
Then Cyrus leapt out and immediately snarled toward the pump house.
Victor Sable stepped from behind it holding a gun.
In front of him stood Mrs. Greer.
His arm was locked around her throat.
The world stopped.
Mrs. Greer’s face was bruised, but her eyes were sharp.
“Don’t do anything dramatic,” she said.
Victor smiled. “I like her.”
Julian’s gun rose.
Victor pressed his weapon beneath Mrs. Greer’s jaw. “Ah. Careful.”
Elena aimed at Victor.
Mace and Julian’s men appeared through the trees, weapons drawn.
Victor laughed softly. “Look at all this devotion. For children. For dogs. For ghosts. Your father would be ashamed, Julian.”
Julian’s face was rain and stone. “Good.”
Maisie stood beside Cyrus, listening.
Victor’s breathing was steady.
Too steady.
He was not cornered.
He had another move.
Then she heard it.
A helicopter.
Far away, approaching through the storm.
“He’s waiting for pickup,” she said.
Victor’s eyes flicked toward her.
Julian saw it.
Mace did too.
Victor sighed. “You really are remarkable.”
Mrs. Greer shifted slightly.
Victor tightened his grip.
Cyrus growled.
Maisie heard Mrs. Greer’s breathing change.
Not fear.
Preparation.
“Mrs. Greer,” Maisie said softly, “duck when Cyrus barks.”
Victor frowned.
“What?”
Maisie touched Cyrus’s neck.
The dog understood before anyone else.
He barked once.
A thunderous, explosive sound.
Mrs. Greer dropped with shocking speed.
Julian fired.
Elena fired.
Victor screamed as the gun flew from his hand.
Cyrus launched forward and knocked him into the mud, jaws closing on his coat sleeve, pinning him without tearing flesh.
Julian approached slowly.
Victor, bleeding and humiliated, looked up through the rain.
“You think this ends with me?”
Julian crouched.
“No.”
He looked toward the burning orchard.
“It starts with you.”
Police sirens echoed in the distance.
Finn stared at Julian. “You called the cops?”
Julian stood.
“No,” Mrs. Greer said, brushing mud from her coat. “I did.”
Everyone looked at her.
May you like
She lifted her chin.
“Someone had to invite civilized people to this circus.”
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