Chapter 11 · Early Lockdown

"Maya Reeves, turn that truck around right now or I lock this whole sector down and bury you in it!"

Iris's voice ripped through the busted radio. Kade swerved so hard my shoulder slammed into the door.

"Iris?" I grabbed the handset. Static chewed her words. "Say again? You're breaking up—"

"Don't play dead, Maya. I know you're on Route Nine. I know you have him with you." A sharp, jagged breath. "Turn around. That's an order."

Kade snatched the handset out of my hand. "She's not turning around anywhere."

"Kade Mercer." Iris went flat. Cold. "You were supposed to be dead two years ago. You want me to fix that?"

"Try it," he spat.

His knuckles were white on the wheel. Gravel spat under the tires as he pushed the truck too fast. In the back, Nox had a laptop balanced on his knees, eyes flicking between us like we were a tennis match he was losing money on.

"Guys?" Nox leaned forward. "Not to interrupt the reunion, but that gate ahead? It's closing. Like, right now closing."

I looked up. Checkpoint Two. We were still a klick out, but the floodlights were snapping on.