Chapter 6: Fracture in the Dark
Evelyn grabbed Toby’s hand and sprinted through the rain-slicked alley behind the house. Her legs, once useless, propelled them through the dark with astonishing speed, but the mercenaries were fast and organized.
Two heavily armed operatives blocked the alley exit, tactical lights pinning them against the brick wall.
"Target secured," one operative barked into his shoulder comm. "Take the woman out."
Before the mercenary could pull the trigger, Marcus broke through a side gate, tackling the lead operative into a stack of steel pallets. A desperate struggle ensued in the mud. A muffled gunshot cracked through the downpour.
Marcus cried out, clutching his abdomen as dark blood pooled through his fingers onto the gravel. The second operative raised his rifle toward Marcus's head.
Evelyn threw herself between them, but Toby was faster.
May you like
The boy grabbed the operative’s bare wrist. Instead of a soft healing glow, a sharp, blinding wave of brilliant energy surged through the air like a localized shockwave. The operative flew backward against the wall, collapsing unconscious into the puddle. The alley fell silent except for the harsh sound of Marcus's shallow breathing.
---
