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The compact car rolled slowly at first. Titus gave it one last shove before he darted behind the hedge beside me. Scrubbs’ car picked up speed as it passed the playground. Jade smiled when she saw it, causing Gill to pause his ranting and look behind him.
“Who’s there?” he called out.
Jade answered, “Maybe you forgot to put the brake on. Just like you do in the golf cart.” It surprised me how Jade could keep her voice so friendly despite her being held captive.
“I didn’t!” Gill raged.
“Maybe—” Jade started.
“No, he didn’t get away!” Gill shuffled with a moment’s indecision before bolting after the rolling car.
“I’ve got this,” Titus said. He circled the bush, keeping low, and hurried to Jade. Since he was the only one with two working feet, it only made sense for him to do all the required dashing. I watched Gill from my hiding spot.
He reached the car quicker than I thought he would. Worry coursed through my stomach. “Hurry!” I whisper shouted.
Titus was crouched behind Jade, who was now standing with one arm free and holding the swing chains still for Titus. He sawed and scissored at the tape for what felt like an eternity. When the tape came free, Titus tossed it behind him. A gust of wind snagged the torn piece. It fluttered above Titus’s head into the shape of a black-winged bird.
Dread forced vomit to my throat. I swallowed it down and cursed. “No!” I pounded the ground with my fists. I had feared this. So I ran from love in all its shapes and sizes.
I pawed at my angry tears much like Spades swatted at dust motes. They were unwelcome invaders encroaching upon my thoughts. I didn’t have time for tears. They were pointless.
I turned back to watch Titus and Jade charge in my direction as the first gunshot ripped through the cloud-cluttered sky.