Chapter 27 · Empty Warehouse Trap

The warehouse door hung open. That was the first thing I saw when we hit the north edge of the compound.

No guard. No lock. Just a black rectangle waiting.

I stopped so hard Leah ran into my back.

"Evie—"

"Stay here." I pulled my sidearm and moved toward the entrance. My pulse hammered in my ears. The rest of the squad fanned out behind me, weapons up, but I could feel the hesitation. Nobody trusted my calls anymore. Not after the mess in the mess hall.

I didn't blame them.

I reached the doorframe and swept inside. Flashlight up, barrel following the beam.

Empty.

No crates. No supplies. No munitions.

Just concrete and dust and the smell of diesel that didn't belong.

My stomach dropped.

"Evie." Leah's voice, tight. "What is it?"

I didn't answer. I was staring at the far wall. At the fresh gouge marks in the floor where the crates had been dragged. At the tire tracks leading out the loading door on the east side.

Someone had emptied this place. Recently. Maybe an hour ago, while I was busy tearing the camp apart looking for ghosts.

I turned and grabbed the nearest guy—