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“Norah, run!” I shout She heads for the bedroom, probably to call 911

I grab Brody’s wrist and try to sla hard makes contact with the side of my head—a hunk of firewood My temple throbs

“Motherfucker,” he blubbers, blood leaking fro at least one tooth flying My hand slips on his wrist, giving him a chance to sun

I wince as pain blursfroob The barrel touches my brow

“If Ican’thave her,” he chokes out, “Neithercanyou”

An explosion shakes the room Brody’s body jerks and then collapses

I take a second to catch my breath, then shove his limp ass onto the hardwood Whatever blood not soaked up by my pants and shirt now pools on the floor As I push ht side’s been blown out

“Is he dead?” I look to the bedrooirl,rifle

“Yeah, baby” I approach her slowly “He’s gone”

I reach out to take the rifle, but her grip is fir at Brody’s lifeless body like it’s about to reanimate and attack her I step between her and Brody’s corpse, cupping her chin in my palm

“It’s okay, baby girl You can let go of the gun now The bad one”

Chapter Eleven

Norah

Silas holds o all throughout the interview—not even when the sheriff’s deputy threatens to arrest hi About the bank robbery and my dad and Brody’s abuse

They say they’ll be in touch with the Baltimore Police Depart as I promise not to skip town