Chapter 16 · Deadly Recharge

"Drop the rifle, or I shoot the kid first." The Cleaner pulled the bolt back with one sharp click.

Evelyn moved before he finished the motion.

She kicked the metal table into his knees. The Cleaner stumbled, but he didn't go down. His rifle swung toward her, and Nolan caught the barrel with both hands.

The shot went into the ceiling.

Dust punched down around them. Mika jerked against the wall, his broken filter wheezing in short, ugly bursts.

"Run!" Nolan shouted.

"I'm not leaving him!"

"Then stop standing in the open!"

The Cleaner slammed his forehead into Nolan's face. Nolan's grip slipped. Blood ran from his nose, dark against his skin, but he drove an elbow into the man's ribs and shoved the rifle sideways.

Evelyn grabbed Mika by the back of his jacket and dragged him behind the overturned table.

"Mika, look at me. Stay awake."

His eyes barely opened behind the cracked mask. "I am looking. You just look terrible."

"Save the jokes. Can you breathe?"

"Define breathe."

"Mika!"

"Badly. The answer is badly."

Another shot tore through the table. Metal screamed beside Evelyn's hand.

Nolan hit the Cleaner hard enough to knock him into the doorframe.