City of the Lost (Rockton 1)

I try to sneak up, but it's a choice between stealth and speed, and I finally give in, turn off my flashlight and rely on the bright moon to guide me as I tear through the forest. I slow when I draw near enough to see Jacob's figure in a clearing, and I'm about to call a warning, but I see his arm rise and I don't think--I'm on the ground, a bullet whizzing past.

"Casey!" Dalton says. "Stay where you are!"

I lay there, heart pounding.

"I'm okay, Casey," Dalton says. "Just stay where you are. We're working this out."

I could almost laugh at that. His brother is holding him hostage. Bullets are whizzing past. But don't worry, Casey, we're working it out. So typically Dalton that I'm not sure if I want to smile or cry or scream at him.

"Jacob?" he says. "Focus on me, Jacob."

He speaks slowly, his voice low, like calming a wild beast, and when Jacob answers, it's only a grunt. Dalton keeps talking, in that same soothing voice. He tells his brother something's wrong, that Jacob knows something's wrong, that he can feel it, and they can get this fixed, that Dalton will do whatever it takes to get it fixed.

Dalton continues with variations on that and doesn't get more than a grunt or two from Jacob, which tells me the situation has gotten worse, his brother unable even to articulate his rage. But Jacob does seem to be listening.

I can see Jacob through the trees. There's no sign of Dalton-- I'm presuming he's sitting or lying down. When Dalton speaks, Jacob turns toward him. He even lowers the gun. At any noise from the forest, he wheels my way. Twice he fires. Then his brother's voice lures him in again, and he forgets me.

I have two choices here. I can trust that Dalton will eventually calm Jacob enough for me to get his gun. Or I can provoke Jacob until he empties the clip. Except I can't control where he fires those bullets, not enough to be sure one won't be aimed at his brother. More than that, I trust Dalton in this. He's making progress.

I stay crouched and pick the clearest path from tree to tree. Jacob does hear noises and turns twice, but it's just animals in the forest. I'm finally close enough to see Dalton. He's sitting with his back against a tree, hands on his head. He doesn't spot me. I make sure of that. He's slowly talking Jacob down, and I'll do nothing to distract him.

Jacob paces the clearing. He wears the same clothing as when he attacked me. I can see my dried blood on them. He's filthy, his hair even more snarled, with bits of twigs and leaves caught in it, as if he's been sleeping on the ground.

"I know I left you," Dalton is saying. "I went away, and I didn't come back. I made a mistake. A stupid, selfish mistake. I left you, and I will never stop regretting that. But I haven't left you since, Jake. I've been here for you every time you've needed me. I will do anything you need. Just let me try. Something's wrong, and you know it, and I can help. Whatever it takes--"

A crash cuts him short. It's a sudden crackle of undergrowth, but it's not me. Jacob spins, gun up.

"Out!" he says in a guttural growl. "You! Girl! Out!"

When no answer comes, he fires, and Dalton lunges to his feet, and Jacob spins on him. Dalton puts his hands on his head again. I'm close enough that I can see sweat pouring off him. But I'm not close enough to get a clear shot if Jacob fires. I move into a better position as quickly and silently as I can.

"Out!" Jacob says. "Out or I shoot Eric."

A figure stumbles from the forest then. It's Anders, hiding his bound hands behind his back.

SIXTY-FOUR

"You?" Jacob says. "Where is the girl?"

"She's not here," Anders says. "That was me. It's just me."

"Liar!" Jacob spins, peering into the forest.

I duck behind a tree.

"It's just Will," Dalton says. "My deputy. You've seen him in the forest with me. You saw him earlier. I thought it was Casey, but it must have been Will."

"Don't lie."

"I'm not, Jacob. It's Will."

"Eric's telling the truth," Anders says. "You're not feeling well, and you're confused and--"

"Shut up."

I peek around the tree to see Jacob with the gun trained on Dalton. My heart stops for a second. Then I force myself to move, to creep toward them, my own weapon raised.

"You want to aim that gun somewhere, Jacob? Point it at me." Anders tries for a smile. "You know your brother--he's going to do what you want a whole lot faster if that gun is pointed at one of his friends."