The group ran as fast as they could.
Lucy led the way with Keith on her shoulders, one of his arms hanging weakly over her chest while she kept a firm grip around his legs. Even with his weight and her own exhaustion, she did not slow down.
Behind her, Tommy and Mei pushed the handcart together.
The wheels rattled wildly over the uneven ground as they forced it toward the shore. Emily remained unconscious inside, hidden beneath the rough covering Tommy had prepared. Every violent shake of the cart made Tommy's stomach twist, but stopping was not an option.
Rachel and Ryan followed behind them.
Bullets continued to fly through the darkness.
Rachel raised one hand and summoned another wide, red barrier behind the group. The translucent wall moved with them as they ran, catching bullet after bullet in bursts of crimson light.
But the attackers did not relent.
The barrier shook under the repeated impacts.
