Page 18 of Ash Fall

Mars grabs one arm while Gage catches the other.

"Tor."

"I'm fine."

"You're becoming very repetitive," I tell him.

He pulls free of them, but the movement is slower than normal.

I move straight to his side. "You're done after your father."

He looks down at me.

"Don't argue."

"I'm starting to understand why Gage doesn't bother."

"Smart man."

Gage grunts. "Finally."

People start climbing out of both trucks, and the freed soldiers spread out around us, keeping the prisoner act believable for anyone watching from inside the warehouse.

A metal door slams open and Torrin goes completely still beside me as I follow his stare.

A broad man in uniform walks out of the warehouse with several rows of ribbons and medals across his chest. His posture is rigid, and the expression on his face turns colder as soon as he sees Torrin. I don't need anyone to tell me who he is.

Colonel Ashford walks directly toward us.

"So," he says, his voice carrying across the yard. "The prodigal son returns."

Tor grips my hand tightly and I feel a buzz come to life where our hands are linked. My eyes go wide in surprise at the strength I can feel in his commanding tone after seeing him look so weak only minutes ago. Not the time or place, but…it’s really, really hot.

"Shut your mouth and get on your knees you fucking bastard!"

That buzz is still flaring between our palms as his father drops to his knees on the gravel and his expression fills with rage. Tor steps closer to him, dragging me with him.

"You’re going to order your men to forget every command you gave them since the moon cracked. You’re going to let these people go then you’re going to pay for all the crimes you’ve committed."

I can see his father fighting against the commands as his face turns almost purple with the struggle of it.

Charlie grabs the radio from the Colonel’s belt and hands it to Tor. "Get all the other soldiers out here first."

He takes the radio with his free hand and commands the soldiers through it to lower their weapons and come to the front area. He seems steadier than a few minutes ago, like he’s getting stronger. When the area is crowded with men in uniform, he gives the order to his father again.

"You will release the control you have over all of your men right now. Tell them to forget all of the orders you've given them since the moon cracked and not one other thing."

Still, the man fights against doing what was ordered until Tor screams.

"DO IT NOW!"

Chapter 7 - Julian

I can't stop pacing back and forth while squeezing my fingers into fists. What is taking Gage so fucking long to get back here? My eyes swing towards the fence where Elenor, Kara, Reid, and I have carved out a spot for ourselves in the shade. There's no way we could sit inside that hot and humid warehouse, filling up with more and more people as the day goes on. Not only is it stifling in there, but the smell of so many people crammed into one place is starting to become overwhelming.

"Jules! Jules, come and sit down," Reid snaps at me with a frown on his face.

I move closer to where they're sitting but I can't bring myself to sit down on the gravel. The lack of control I have in this situation is seriously making me spiral and I can't seem to get a hold on it.