Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara never pretended to be a saint. She took a long breath, steadying herself.

"When I get back to the Capital, I'll come back and handle everything at the rehab center. Trust me, Emily. There'll be a chance to get justice for your parents, but not now. Right now, we have to stay alive. That comes first, always."

Emily was curled into herself, sobbing so hard her body shook. "I always thought they just left me behind. They named me Pan-di-'Hope'-like they cared more about my brother. Maybe they just didn't love me enough. They left me here with Grandpa, like we were both forgotten."

Clara didn't know what to say. Everyone knew what a name like that meant for a girl.

Sure, her parents loved her brother more. But it's not like they didn't love her at all. Still, they were gone now, and nothing anyone said could change that.

"Come on. We need to go," Clara said quietly.

Emily nodded, biting her lip so hard it nearly bled. "Let's go. Let's just get out of here."

They'd barely made it halfway down the mountain when the Bolton family's house suddenly went up in flames, the fire raging brighter and brighter, lighting the whole sky as if it wanted to devour everything.

The people from the rehab center must have realized something was wrong and gone over to the Bolton estate-then set it on fire.

Clara squeezed Emily's hand tight. "Don't stop. Just keep moving."

Emily had lived in that house for over twenty years. She loved that place and loved her grandfather even more.

But now she could barely walk, stumbling every few steps, her whole body limp. Clara's patience snapped. She slapped Emily, hard.

"Get up and walk! If we stay here, we'll die too! I barely have any bullets left- don't let your grandfather's sacrifice mean nothing!"

Emily's hands were trembling, but after Clara's words, she grabbed a rock and smashed it down on her own hand.

The crack of her breaking knuckles rang out in the stillness. Tears streaked her face, but her voice was suddenly calm.

"Clara, let's go."

Clara didn't say anything else. This girl was stronger than she looked.

They pressed forward, silent, the sounds of their pursuers getting closer with every step.

Clara remembered a river nearby. She turned to Emily. "Can you swim? When I came into the village, I saw a river not far from here. It's rough, probably feeds into the main river toward the Capital. If we follow the current, maybe we can shake them off."

"I can swim," Emily said.

That was all they needed. They ran for the river.

Spring melt and last night's storm had turned it into a torrent.

Clara dove in first, letting the water pull both of them downstream.

All she could hear was the rush of the river. She had no idea how long they floated-her body was so cold she could barely move. Just when she thought she'd black out, she managed to drag both herself and Emily onto the muddy bank.

The sky was getting light. They were on the outskirts of the Capital

W she could spot rows of

houses in the distance

Emily collapsed beside her, barely conscious.

Clara was spent, amazed at how much chaos could come from one tiny village.

Forcing herself up, she found someone nearby and borrowed a phone, dialing Scarlette.

No answer-Scarlette was in a meeting and her phone was on silent.

Clara pressed her lips together and called Ryan.

He nearly jumped out of his seat when her number flashed on the screen.

The problem was, Simon was still at his place Ryan didn't want him to know Clara had called. So Ryan pretended it was just work stuff, all while rushing out the door

Once he got in the car, he called back, panic in his voice. "Clara, what happened? You sound so weak."

Clara always had mixed feelings about her little brother-she'd been disappointed in him so many times. But right now, he was the only one she could turn to.

"I'll send you my location. Just come pick

up."noveldrama

Ryan nodded frantically, dropping everything and slamming his foot on the gas.

It took him three hours to get there.

When he finally saw Clara-exhausted, filthy, barely standing-he almost broke down.

"Clara!"

She wanted to smack him, but she didn't even have the strength. Instead, she just helped him haul Emily into the back seat.

Ryan cranked up the heat and handed Clara a chocolate bar from the glove box. "Here, eat something."

Clara noticed his hands were shaking. He really was scared for her, so she didn't argue. She needed the energy anyway.

Ryan started heading back toward the Capital, but she stopped him.

"Go to the next city over."

"Clara?"

She stared out the window, her head pounding. "Any news about Dylan in the

Capital? Has he made any moves?"

"No," Ryan said. "It's been quiet. Too quiet."