Page 81 of Us Defiant Few

The little boy couldn’t have been more than seven. He was barefoot, wearing a filthy beige sackcloth, so skinny that his bones looked like they were about to leap from his skin. His ragged blond hair extended to his shoulders, and his dirt-stained face stared at them with a somber expression.

The little boy slowly opened his mouth.

They were too far to hear, but it looked like he was mouthing a single word.

“Help.”

Khalani lurched forward, the strongest instinct physically tugging her toward the child. But Takeshi immediately shot out his hand, stopping her.

He gave a quick shake of his head, staring at the child who was now crying. The skinny boy took a hesitant step toward them, but an unknown figure yanked him back into the alley.

Agonizing wails rippled through the air.

“Oh my god,” she rasped, bolting around Takeshi. She made it to the middle of the road before he practically picked her up, depositing her body behind him with little effort.

“Go inside,” he growled, aiming his gun directly toward the alley. He was still staring ahead when another flicker of movement grabbed her attention.

She turned just as someone aimed a gun at Takeshi.

She didn’t have time to lift her own weapon and fire back.

All Khalani could do was scream, “Look out!” before she slammed into Takeshi, knocking him aside. She felt something slam into her neck before she collapsed to the ground.

Khalani blinked at the bright blue sky, her back on the sand.

She instinctively touched the back of her neck, expecting the warm stickiness of blood, but instead, she felt something thick and sharp protruding from her skin.

Takeshi’s stricken face appeared above her.

His expression contorted with horror as he pulled out a thick dart.

“Get the fuck up, Kanes.” His voice cracked as he cast the dart aside, urging her to stand.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

With every millisecond that passed, Khalani’s limbs grew heavier and heavier. Her breaths slowed as the earth continued dragging her into its depths—welcoming her home.

It was nice.

To fall into an endless sleep with something so beautiful staring back.

I could die this way, she thought as a tear formed in her eyes.

“GET UP, KANES!”

I can’t.

His gaze tracked the tear that swept past her cheek, and his expression shifted.

Black fury swallowed his vision, and Takeshi slowly lifted his head. She could do nothing but watch as his deep-seated rage took over.

He raised his gun and opened fire.

People screamed, and more shots cracked through the air.

A dart hit his chest.

Takeshi flinched but kept shooting, like a powerful storm had seized him, ready to punish the world.