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I knehat that sound had been, but as I jerked forward, a hand covered my mouth An arm wrapped around me, picked me up, and eased us back to the side of the house, away from Estrada’s man in the backyard

I started kicking,no sound, until a voice spoke in my ear “Stop”

Raize

Heas close to the fence as possible Once ere on the sidewalk, he put me back on my feet

I shoved away fro around

His hand went back on rass “Stop” Still quiet, but firm

I stopped, but I could feel

More innocents, like my sister

I hated this world I hated this life

He pressed in closer, his chest against mine, and dropped his mouth to my ear “They were already inside The kid wasn’t here”

I stiffened

He lifted his head, finding one, too I don’t knohat they shot, but no one was inside I searched the place and got out just as they came in”

“There are no cops in the marked car”

Raize cursed, but shook his head “They ht be on Estrada’s payroll”

“Who’d they shoot in there?”

“I don’t—”

There was a sudden rustling sound and footsteps

“Hurry!” came on a hushed whisper

“Can’t believe they kept a fucking snake in there Insane That thing o seconds fro you”

My chest spasmed They’d killed a snake I didn’t kno to feel about that

“Shut up You gotta get out of here We’re going to roll up as if we’re just discovering the house You got three minutes”

“What about their dog?”

“Who cares about the dog?”

I grabbed for Raize,around his sweatshirt

He pressed againstmy arm as he watched for them

He moved us farther back, into the shadows

Thearound

“What about the dog?” I asked Raize when they’d gone

He looked at ?”

I shook my head

“He bit you”

“What about the dog?”

“That thing should be in an impound”

I pressed against his chest