Vain (The Seven Deadly 1)

I didn’t hear any of the children. “Please, God. Just, please. Please.”

Do something, Sophie. My feet seemed rooted where they stood though. Save them.

Motivation is a funny thing. It can come from out of nowhere. For instance, a child’s scream. From my hut.

I sprung into action, edging the courtyard fence unseen and approaching mine and Ian’s huts. I raised my weapon and crept around the side, edging my way toward the two soldiers near the back, their weapons raised, ready to fire.

Slowly, very slowly, I angled myself for a good enough view. They were within range and weren’t aware of me. I took three deep breaths, readying myself to kill two men I didn’t know. Two men who were so ready to take part in the slaughtering of my adopted family.

For them.

I checked the safety, placed my finger on the trigger and aimed it at the first one’s head. My finger was ready to squeeze but out of nowhere the men fell to the ground without the aid of my own bullets. I plastered myself back into the side of my hut.

Suddenly, a hand came around my mouth. The hand spun me toward them. A finger on his own lips. Ian.

“I told you to stay in the jeep, Sophie.”

“I love you,” I blurted, frantic and a little rattled from the deaths of the soldiers. “It’s the kind of love I never thought I would have, never thought I deserved but it’s forever, Ian. Forever.”

He nodded once in acknowledgement. All business.

“The kids are safe. They’re hidden on the east side of the property. Kate got them out somehow.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Follow me,” he ordered, then stopped. “Closely.”

We ran to the front of our huts, first inspecting Ian’s then mine for the child who had screamed. A pair of wide eyes met mine underneath the bed.

“Shh, Mandisa,” Ian whispered with a smile. “It’s us. Stay right here, okay?” She started to cry in protest. “Mandisa,” Ian said sternly. “Stay here, stay hidden, stay quiet. No one will come near this hut, you understand? Stay hidden, baby.”

We stuffed my heavy down comforter with her, hoping it would stifle any noise she heard. I kissed her and ran outside with Ian. We followed the line of buildings and Ian stealthily took out the seven on Karina’s and Charles’ porch without blinking an eye.

“Cover me, Soph,” Ian said, sliding open a shallow window of the children’s house.

I aimed my gun inside as he entered, my ears peeled for the slightest noise. Ian pulled me through the window as if I weighed a trifle. I bit back my surprise. He stuffed me behind him once more and we scaled the walls, listening before we entered each room with a flourish of raised weapons. Each room was empty, the soldiers loitering outside the front door were gone, probably fled.

We exited the same window we entered and approached the kitchen and cafeteria quietly. Ian peered through a low window at the back of the building.

“Shit,” he said under his breath. “That same pair from the children’s house have a handful of children being held hostage at the front of the building. Karina’s with them.”

I glanced through the same window to see for myself. Sure enough, five children and Karina stood huddled together. You could tell Karina was assuring them, attempting to calm them. My stomach tumbled the remaining length of my body to my feet.

“How do we get them out?” I asked.

“Stay here,” he told me, standing.

“Wait. Wait. What are you doing?”

“I’m going to get them.”

“Ian, no. Let’s think about this.”

“And while we think, they could be killed. There’s no time. Stay here or I swear to God, Soph...”

He molded himself to the wall, edging slowly and disappearing from my view. I raised myself just enough to see through the window to the other side in time to see Karina notice him. My breath stilled as the soldiers spoke to one another unaware of his approach.

I couldn’t hear anything but saw Karina suddenly tuck the children into themselves, shielding them.

I waited for the gunfire but none came.

The breath I’d been holding rushed from me and the released adrenaline made my body shake. The soldiers laid down their weapons at their feet before kneeling with their hands above their heads and Karina pulled their guns out of reach.