“When the Costello empire falls, everyone will try to grab a piece.”

“It won’t be safe in this city.”

“I know,” I said.

“That’s why I’m not staying in the city.”

“And I’m not staying with you.”

I stood up from behind the counter.

I grabbed my dark wool coat from the hook near the door.

I pulled it on, my fingers steady as I did up the buttons.

I picked up my mobile phone from the counter.

The screen was dark again, its task completed.

“Where will you go?” Julian asked.

“Nowhere you can find me,” I said.

I walked toward the back door of the cabin, avoiding the broken glass on the floor.

The wind outside was cold, carrying the smell of salt and wet earth from the sea.

I could hear the waves crashing against the rocks below the cliff.

It was the sound of freedom.

But before I could touch the doorknob, a sound rose above the wind.

It was a high-pitched, metallic whine.

It was coming from the road.

Then, the dark woods outside the cabin windows were suddenly flooded with light.