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"Thank you, D I’ at her, he replied, "I’o above and beyond to ensure one of ets so as she popped Deacon "Go on and get out of here before I change my mind and he has even more issues with blue balls"
Deacon chuckled as he hustled to catch up with Case Just as I was about to sit down, the jukebox changed over to some old-school tunes with Heart’s "What About Love?" Ki"
"Me too"
Crooking her finger atNever able to resist a chance at karaoke, I rose out of roaned "If I find out who paid for this one, I’ll kick his ass"
"They’re not that bad," Rev said over us
"They’re not good, either," Bishop replied, which earned hi out the big finish, a loud roar ripped through the rooround and walls vibrated Bottles fell off the bar and crashed to the floor It seeo on forever, but in truth, it probably lasted only a few seconds When it was over, we all stared at one another, our faces a mixture of confusion and fear
"Oh, fuck," Revto sprint out the back door In one fluid ot outside, my heart felt like it shuddered to a stop Se and red flames licked and danced over as left of the frame
My world momentarily stilled While I was frozen, everyone around me seemed to race around at warp speed Raiders came out of every direction of the compound At my side, Archer frantically called 911, and at the far end of the street, Beth’s silver-headed for to the fire
As I tried to step forward to help, it seeh quicksand in the dreamlike world I foundto shake htmare
Deacon is in that house Deacon is in that house Deacon is in that house!
"CASE!" Kih I willed my body to move, it remained rooted to that spot Like the flick of a switch, I was transported back to the day I stood outside the rim-faced doctor had just delivered the news to me and my uncle Ji me to follow him to where he could take me to my parents’ bodies, I froze It was like if I took one step forward, then I was acknowledging what had really happened, but if I stayed still and in that spot, it wasn’t real
Today was the exact same way I watched with eyes ith horror as the fire truck wailed pastto a stop at the front of Case’s house Mac and Boone strained to hold Ki Case’s nas I said a silent prayer of thanks that none of Case and Kim’s five children were home They had piled into the fa to spend the day at the mall and movies
Beth stood beside Kim, head bent, hands steepled in prayer Rev and Bishop stood on either side of her, blanketing her in their protection The other clubtheir heads in disbelief, with ashen expressions on their faces
So azed down, Walter peered up atrepeatedly For a nored the ed to reach down and pick him up
As I buried my face in his soft fur, ony Silent tears slipped from my eyes to dampen Walter’s back My chest felt like a watch that had been wound too tight I wanted desperately to let go of the consu emotions, but no matter how hard I silently wept, I couldn’t find any relief When hfrom the inside out