The Six Hour Countdown to Expose the City’s Darkest Shadow
One little girl, no older than six, was clutching a small stuffed rabbit with a torn ear.
She was shivering violently.
“Can you walk?” I asked Rachel.
“Yes,” she said, pushing herself up from the cot. “But the children are weak. They haven’t had water since yesterday.”
“We need to move now,” I said. “The harbor is crawling with Kane’s men, but I have a way out through the water side.”
“Through the blizzard?” she asked, looking at the small, frosted porthole.
“It’s our only shot,” I said.
I knelt in front of the little girl with the rabbit.
“What’s your name?” I asked, keeping my voice soft.
“Mia,” she whispered.
“Mia, I’m going to get you out of here,” I said. “But you have to be very quiet. Can you do that for me?”
She nodded slowly, tucking her face into the stuffed rabbit.
I stood up and faced the other children.
“All of you, stand up,” I said. “Keep the blankets wrapped tight. Hold hands.”
They scrambled to their feet, their small boots clicking on the metal floor.
I turned back to Rachel.