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Where’s the freaking box?

I look all over the ground. Where did he put it? Where is it?

I pat my body and find a lump in each of the sides of my jacket. He slipped the box into my left pocket while he kissed me. I tug on it, but it gets caught on the edge of the seam. I pull frantically until it jerks out and I stare at the knobs and switches. “How do I turn it off?” I scream but the waves suck all sound away.

I can’t go. I can’t leave him. What am I going to do?

I hurl the box to the ground and run, pushing against hurricane force winds.

A flash of light fills the space around me and there’s nothing.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I fall to the ground, dirt and rocks digging through my jeans and tearing my jacket. The sky fills with a bright white light. The sounds of gunfire and shouts fill the air. I scramble to my feet and charge into the forest where we came from.

Evan hides behind a tree on the opposite side of the road. He shoots at the guards surrounding the building where Reece is trapped. Evan looks back toward the portal. He’s too far away to read his expression.

More bodies lay across the road, only these have blood draining onto the asphalt. I try to hold back my nausea but fail, retching in the dirt.

“
Reece!” Evan shouts. “We’ve got to go!” He shoots another guard rushing for the door. I count twelve bodies.

Reece swings the door open as another guard rushes for it. Reece fires at the guard, who stumbles in the doorway, then shudders and collapses.

I stay at the edge of the forest, unsure what to do. I’m positive Evan and Reece don’t know I’m still here, and I don’t want them to leave me behind. But I don’t want to alert the gunman to my presence either.

Reece is about to run when more guards rush the door. He shoves the body out of the opening with his foot and slams the door closed. The gunmen surround the building open fire. Reece ducks out of sight. Shattered glass fills the night air, along with the sound of automatic weapons.

Evan moves closer, firing as he runs. Several of the men turn their attention in his direction. Evan ducks behind a fallen log. Wood splinters fly into the air.

I kneel on the hill at the edge of the tree line, searching for some plan to help and come up with nothing. I crawl a couple of paces toward the trucks.

Two men fall onto the street and Evan bursts from behind the tree, running behind the building. A man throws something through the window and smoke shoots out the window.

Reece
.

I choke on my hysteria.

Evan shouts as he comes around the side of the building, shooting wildly into the men. Three more fall. Evan kicks on the door with his foot.

“
Reece, get out here!”

The door opens, black smoke rolling out and pouring into the night sky.

Reece stumbles out, falling to his knees. His shoulders heave from his coughing.

The truck obscures the advance of several gunmen toward Evan. He’s caught off guard when they attack. Evan and Reece retreat, Evan dragging Reece behind one of the trucks to use as their shield. I push to my feet and run parallel to the road through the woods, toward the trucks.

The gun bangs into my thigh, reminding me of its presence.
Insurance
, Evan said. I touch the cold metal with my fingertips but I can’t bring myself to pull it out. I’ve never fired a gun before and I don’t want to risk shooting Evan or Reece.

I have a perfect view of the gunmen on the other side of the truck. My entire body pulses with my rapid heartbeat. I can shoot those men and save them. My hand wraps around the handle. A million reasons why I shouldn’t use the gun jostle for attention, but they’re overshadowed by the two reasons I should. I start to pull the gun out of my pocket when I hear a laugh behind me.

“
This has proved very entertaining. I have to say, your two boyfriends are more resourceful than I gave them credit for.”

I turn toward the familiar voice, my stomach dropping to the ground. My breath stalls and I force my lungs to inflate.

He chuckles. “But you’re the reason I’m here.”

“
Should I be flattered, General Ghertner?” I’m surprised my voice doesn’t shake. Sweat beads on the nape of my neck.

His jowls flap as he laughs again. “It might surprise you that I was one of the few members on the Committee to vote
against
killing you.”

I lift an eyebrow and try to look strong. I question my success since my knees shake so violently I can hardly stand. Gunshots penetrate the air. I’m desperate to turn around and check on Evan and Reece. Instead, I ask, “What do you want?”

He laughs again, an irritating sound that grates on my sanity. “You’re a valuable asset. You could prove very useful in helping navigate your world. Not to mention the minor detail that the box I have doesn’t work.” He pauses. “But yours does.”

“
Why would I want to help you?”

He gestures down to the trucks. “I can think of two reasons.”

I stuff a cry of anguish down my throat. “They’re doing pretty well on their own.”

“
Then why did you come back to help them?” He takes slow steps forward until he’s next to me. He stinks of sweat and alcohol. I swallow to keep from vomiting again. He leans into my ear, his oily breath coating my cheek. “But I can ensure that they’ll live long and happy lives. Can you do the same?” His hands grip my shoulders and he turns me to face the road.

My sweaty hand is still in my pocket, griping the handle of the gun. I’m torn, struggling to make the right decision.

I have to choose between the two boys I love and an entire world. Is it really a choice? Yet, I still can’t make it. “What do I have to do?”

His breath exhales in my ear. “Ah, now that’s a good girl.”

I survey the road. Evan and Reece are still on one side of the truck, out of sight. I only know they’re still alive because the gun battle continues. This fact gives me little comfort.

The gunmen lob an object toward the back of the truck where Evan and Reece hide. An explosion rips through the air, sucking my breath with it.

I have to help them. I start counting men. One, two, three, four.
Only four
.

“
You and I are going down there and you’re going to take me to your world.”

I don’t have the box
. My chest burns with fear, but I nod, not trusting my voice.

My heart is out of control and I struggle to slow down my breathing. My hand is still in my pocket and my slick palm slides on the handle. The general grips my left arm, his fingers pinching the flesh underneath. I suppress a gasp of pain.

I have to make a decision. I need to do something
now
.

My index finger curls around the trigger of the gun. I sneak a glance at the general. His eyes glow in the floodlights. His mouth forms an evil sneer.

He thinks he’s won.

The gunmen run around the front of the truck and bolt to where Evan and Reece are hidden.

“
No!” I gasp.

“
You can put a stop to all of this. Just take me through the portal.”

Shouts fill the air and the gunfire ceases. I almost drop to my knees.

The general notices and smiles. He climbs down the hill. I stumble behind him. Evan and Reece emerge from behind the truck, guards dragging them out into the road. My chest shakes with a hiccupped breath of relief.

Reece’s blackened face lifts and he sees me. He jerks from the guard’s grip, lunging toward us. One of the men hits Reece in the head with the end of his gun. Reece drops to all fours.

Evan searches for the reason for Reece’s bolt, finding me. Bewilderment and terror fill his eyes.

The general yanks me to the road and my chin trembles in panic. Two guards pull Reece to his feet and two more grab Evan’s arms. They drag both boys toward us and force them to their knees about ten feet away. Reece’s chin sags against chest. One of the guards holds him up by gripping the back of his jacket. Evan lifts his head. His eyes glimmer with fury.

“
Julia, let me tell you how this is going to work,” the general says, his tone light and breezy as though we discussing the rules to hopscotch. “You’re going to give me the box. If you don’t, I’ll shoot one of your friends.”

My eyes widen as I suppress a sob.

Evan glances toward the road then back at me, question in his eye.

I barely shake my head.

The light falls from his eyes. Evan has given up hope. Defeat pierces my resolve.

General Ghertner pulls a handgun out of his belt. “Have you ever seen one of these, Julia? I bet not since you’re not into
army things
. Perhaps you’ll reconsider your interest.”

He points the gun at Reece’s chest and fires.

I scream and lunge forward, but the general’s grip holds firm.

Reece crumples to the ground as Evan shouts and thrashes in the guards holds.

The general laughs. “He’s not dead. Merely stunned, but it was quite a jolt for him. We can try it on Dr. Whittaker’s son next.”

My loud sobs rent the night air. My knees give out and I fall, but he pulls me back up.

“
Where’s the box?”

“
Don’t give it to him, Julia,” Evan says.

General Ghertner shoots Evan. He falls to the ground.

I scream. “No!”

“
How’s your lesson going so far? Learning much?” His nonchalance terrifies me. He tortures Evan and Reece with no remorse.

“
You’re a monster.”

He laughs then his voice hardens. “Where’s the box?” He points his weapon at Reece, who’s still on his hands and knees.

The gun in my pocket lies against my thigh, taunting me with its closeness. Even if I get it out, how can I save both boys and myself?

“
I threw it into the woods.” I choke out, pointing my hand across the road. “Over there.”

Several floodlights have been shot out and dark shadows fall over the street, stopping short of the tree line.

The general waves to two of the guards. “Go search for it.”

As they walk away, Evan pulls himself up into a kneeling position. He searches my face. His eyes burn with apology and regret. I brush my hand against my jacket, the gun hidden beneath. His eyes widen in recognition.

Reece rouses, his head rolling from side to side.

“
Reece, get up.” Evan sneers. “Do I have to sic the damn angels on you?”

Reece’s face jerks to Evan. He struggles to get up.

General Ghertner laughs. “Angels won’t save you now.”

The guards on the side of road have disappeared into the trees.

“
What happens next?” Evan asks, lifting his chin.

My hand slowly slides into my pocket.

The general grunts. “I’ll dispose of the garbage.”

My finger searches for the trigger, curling around the cold metal.
Can I do this? Who do I shoot first? What if I hit Reece or Evan?

“
Isn’t that shortsighted?” Evan asks. “You might need us, especially Julia.” His hands twitch at his sides.

“
Everything is expendable.”

Time crawls and every action moves in slow motion. I pull out the gun and jerk out of General Ghertner’s grip, swinging the gun toward him. His eyes widen and he raises his weapon, but I squeeze my trigger. My hand recoils with the shot and my body tumbles backward, out of his reach.

He falls to his knees as he clutches his gut. His gun clangs and bounces on the pavement.

Oh, God
.

Movement to my side catches my attention. Evan wrestles the gun from the man next to him and shoots. The guard falls to the ground.

Reece struggles with the man behind him, fighting over his weapon. A gunshot fires and the guard collapses. Evan’s gun still points in the guard’s direction.

The men in the woods advance toward us, but Evan runs in their direction, shooting.

General Ghertner moans. I point my gun at him, my hands shaking.

His fingers press against his abdomen then drop. There’s no blood. He sees my shock and grins. “Bulletproof vest. Hell of a kick though.” He lumbers to his feet and spreads his arms wide. “I don’t have a weapon. You’re not going to shoot an unarmed man, are you?”

I try to clear my head. What should I do?

Evan has disappeared into the woods. Gunfire pierces the night air.

The general sees my hesitation and smiles in triumph. He lunges for Reece and puts him in a headlock. Reece gags.

“
More army things, Julia. Did you know I can kill a man with my bare hands? Want me to demonstrate?”

“
No!” I wrap both hands around the hand of the gun. They shake as I point it at him, but he’s lifted Reece to his feet and placed Reece’s body in front of his.

Reece makes gasping sounds as he claws at the general’s arm.

Tunnel vision narrows my sight, making everything fade from view but the general and Reece. I’m over ten feet away. What if I shoot Reece? What if I miss them both and the general kills Reece anyway?

Reece’s struggling decreases and he sags into the general as he makes weak attempts to release the hold on his neck.

My chest heaves with my agony and I force myself to take a deep breath. I raise the gun to eye level, my arms outstretched. I find the general’s head in the sight.

General Ghertner snorts. “It takes a trained marksman to make a shot like that. What makes you think you won’t kill your friend?”

My eyes harden. “He’s as good as dead anyway.” I squeeze the trigger.

All I hear is the blast of the gun. All I see is the general’s wide eyes, the disbelief as he stumbles backward with a hole in his forehead. He collapses to the pavement.

Reece falls to ground, gagging.

I rush to his side. “Are you okay?”

He coughs, struggling to catch his breath. He looks up at me, wide-eyed and annoyed. “You could have killed me.”

If I wasn’t so relieved he’s alive, I’d slap him. “Yeah, you’re welcome.”

He pushes to his feet and I wrap an arm around his waist to help him up.

“
Where’s Evan?” He looks across the road.

The forest is quiet, no sound of gunfire.

“
Evan!” Panic smothers my reason. I drop my hold from Reece and bolt for the trees.

Reece pulls me back. “Julia, you can’t just run into the woods. We need to find cover in case they’re still out there.” He picks up the general’s gun off the road.

“
What if they shot Evan?” My panic returns.

“
Then we’ll deal with it then.”

He leads me to the trucks, still coughing, when a single gunshot sounds in the trees.

I tremble, almost collapsing. “Oh God.”