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The drainpipe is large enough that I can be onthe stale se and rust Thankfully, it’s only a little bit wet in there, and I try not to dwell on what that wetnesse to turn around and cliaze at s The sky above me is covered with stars, and the air is thick with the scent of waretation I can see the warehouse building on the small hill above me, less than fifty yards away

I stare at it, sick with fear for Julian There is another burst of gunfire, accooing on--which is a good sign, I tell myself If Julian was dead--if the terrorists had won--there would be noHes tre from the combination of terror and adrenaline

And in thatexplodesand a blast of scorching-hot air sendsinto the bushes several feet away

Chapter 24

The next twenty-four hours are a blur in et toand iant bruise There is a din in h from a distance

I must’ve passed out froh to walk, the fire consu is al through the s ruins of the warehouse Occasionally, I find so that looks like a charred limb, and a couple of times, I come across a body that’s very nearly whole, with only a head or a leg s on some level, but I don’t fully process the touchesbothers me Even the physical sensations are dulled by shock

I search for hih up in the sky, and I’ with sweat

I have no choice but to face the truth now

There are no survivors It’s as simple as that

I should cry I should screa

But I don’t

I just feel nu I don’t knohere I a one foot in front of the other