SHADOWS OF THE OAT

dark edges of the city. The coordinates led me here. Something

into the shadows. Never walk straight int

e wood is rotting. A perfect hiding place for someone who doe

ing strange. My fingers catch on a small groove-a tiny mar

hands move before I can think. My fi

lock cli

mattresses, a stash of weapons, a rusted

safe, not comfortable-just familiar. Like I've been her

member setting

place. Nothing. If The Oath had found this place, they would've l

the laptop. The screen flick

ken. Distort

ng this... you do

e is damaged, but

ng a man's blurry face. Older. S

er, grippin

your instincts, Natha

down my spine.

me alive. My memories

n-B

rips through

and metal. The force knocks me back, my ears ringing with white nois

fou

I roll, dodging fallin

gainst the f

ock 19. My hands check the mag o

nt steps thro

fi

clean. Preci

him. I pivot, aim, fire. A

of burning metal. My lungs scre

t. I dive behind the overturned table, bullets

t the desk. My finge

. The man.

t

kpack near the weapons stash. Bullets

capture me. They'r

d. The blast destr

one way out-the s

ve.

rd the metal shelves against the wa

a trail of fire across my skin. I b

acked, some glas

ugh the res

nto me. The grou

it the pavement. Pain shoots t

ore shadows.

fight

ru

city, the laptop secure in my bag

he man in

l like I already