Chapter 6 - Fire and Fog
Plaster erupted in white clouds as bullets shredded the living room furniture. Liam dove behind the kitchen’s reinforced granite island, shielding Clara beneath his body while grabbing Elena by her collar to pull her flat against the tile.
""Stay down!"" Liam shouted over the deafening rattle of gunfire.
He peeked around the corner. An unmarked black SUV sat in the driveway, two shooters laying down suppressive fire while a third approached the porch with a breaching shotgun. They were executing an extermination order.
Liam didn’t hesitate. He leaned out from behind the counter, lined up his sights through the broken window, and fired three controlled double-taps. The exterior shooter dropped instantly. The second stumbled backward behind the SUV's open door.
""Elena, take Clara through the storm cellar into the woods!"" Liam commanded, thrusting the keys to his car into her hand. ""The car is parked two blocks down on Maple Street. Go! Now!""
""Liam, what about you?"" Elena cried, terrified.
""I draw them off! Meet Marcus at the Pine Ridge quarry. Don't stop for anyone!""
Clara reached out, her little fingers brushing Liam's cheek as Elena pulled her away. ""Daddy, don't let them take my shoes! We have to dance again!""
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""I promise, bug,"" Liam whispered, his eyes blazing. ""I promise.""
As Elena slipped through the basement bulkhead into the misty treeline, Liam grabbed a can of cooking oil from the pantry, poured it over the gas stove, and ignited the burners. He hurled an ornamental iron bar through the front picture window to create a diversion, then charged out the back door into the fog just as the house erupted in a roaring ball of orange flame.
