Page 48 of Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad World

“Too far to jump to the neighbor’s roof,” Noah said, watching Annabelle.

Her eyelids fluttered open. “Noah?”

“Hey,” he said soothingly. “It’s okay; you’re safe. You’re with me and Abasi. Breathe slowly and stay calm. You’re fine.”

She blinked several times before her eyes sprang fully open. She sucked in air, filling her lungs, preparing to scream.

Noah stroked her cheek, stopping her. “Look at me,” he ordered. “Only me. Don’t take your eyes off me. We need you to stay quiet. You’re safe with me. Don’t stop looking at me. Got it?”

She nodded furiously, staring into his face, her fingers curled into the front of his shirt, nails scraping his chest. He didn’t care. He just needed her to remain quiet and calm.

“Got a signal?” he asked Abasi while maintaining eye contact with Annabelle.

“No.” Abasi tucked his phone back into his pocket. “Who knew these dickheads were smart enough to bring a signal jammer?”

Annabelle was stiff as a board beside Noah. Every now and then, she shivered, but she didn’t scream. She didn’t panic. She didn’t run. These were all good things.

“Focus on your breathing and my face,” he told her. “Count it in and out. That’s all you have to do. Concentrate on me and on counting through your breathing. Nod if you understand.”

She gave a sharp nod.

“Good, you’re doing good.” He didn’t ease his hold on her, wanting her to feel the solidity of his presence and stay focused on the now. “I’m looking away briefly, but I’m not going anywhere. Keep your eyes on me. Okay?”

Another terse nod.

“You’re doing great,” he soothed her before glancing across the rooftop. “Can you try to get to the building next door or find a way down to the street? We need to see if we can get a signal,” he said to Abasi.

“Not a good idea. Who’ll watch your backside?”

“Getting help is more important.”

Dark eyes met his. They were unflinching. “You have your job. I have mine.”

“You are a pain in my ass,” Noah said, looking for another option.

There weren’t any.

Gunfire rang out below them. The fire alarm suddenly cut out, and there was a weird moment of silence in which he couldhear Annabelle’s breathing. It was broken by a grunt, then a distant thud. Another grunt. Another thud. They came from the space between the two buildings.

Something slammed against the stairwell door, making it shudder, and Annabelle’s nails dug into his chest. He whispered reassurance to her as smoke rose in the air.

“You see anything?” Noah whispered to Abasi.

Abasi shook his head, aiming past the edge of the old brick chimney.

A screeching whistle rent the air, followed by tapping on a megaphone. “Attention, all Demon Brothers,” a male Scottish accent bellowed into the night. “We have you surrounded. Lay down your arms and surrender. Otherwise, you will feel the wrath of Benson Security.”

Abasi and Noah shared a surprised look.

“Evan,” they said at the same time.

“Shouldn’t he be watching the camera feed?” Abasi said.

There was the sound of breaking glass followed by a scream, then a sickening thud.

“Looks like our resident miniature psychopath’s taken out yet another member of your gang,” Evan shouted cheerily. “Better give up before she ninjas her way through the rest of you.”

“I think he’s multi-tasking,” Noah said.