The Gathering (Darkness Rising 1)

"Figure what out?" Rafe looked at me for an answer.

When I didn't reply, Rafe turned away, tense and angry. I could feel that--bursts of anger that made me anxious, too, every muscle tight, telling me to run, just run, before the fire caught me.

The truck rounded the last corner. It was more like a cube van, yellow with some kind of crest on the side. I struggled for a better look. The air was getting hazy now. Invisible smoke stung my eyes.

"The fire department?" Rafe scowled at Daniel. "We're running from a fire and hiding from the fire department?"

I could see the insignia now--a red crest with a lighthouse in the middle. An auxiliary vehicle for Nanaimo Fire Rescue.

Rafe started getting up.

"Wait," Daniel said sharply, not a request but a command. I swore Rafe's hackles rose.

"Just hold on a sec," I said.

"No. I'm sorry, Maya, but this is nuts. I need to get to town and see if Annie's there."

"Go on, then," Daniel said. "But don't expect me to come to your rescue if you do something stupid again."

Rafe stopped, crouching. "Stupid? What the hell did I--?"

"Standing up to a bear? Yeah, kinda stupid."

Rafe's face reddened.

"It wasn't like that," I cut in. "Rafe, just--"

The truck's brakes squealed. We were still beneath the alder, but they could have caught a flash of color through the branches.

The truck was idling, less than twenty feet away. I caught the muffled sound of voices. Then a click and a slam as a door opened and shut, echoed by a second.

Figures walked to the front of the truck. Anonymous figures in dark blue jumpsuits and gasmasks.

Rafe started to rise again. Daniel caught his arm.

"They're not from the fire department," he whispered.

"Right. In a fire truck, wearing fire--"

"And carrying automatic rifles? Maybe that's standard gear for rescue workers in the States, but no one carries those here. Not even the cops."

I saw the guns now, slung across the backs of the two figures.

"Fine." Rafe studied them, then said, "I still think they might be search-and-rescue, but we ... shouldn't take the chance."

He stretched out beside us again, moving carefully to not make any noise.

The two figures still stood in front of the truck, looking around. Something stung my scalp and I jumped. Another glowing ember landed on my hand.

The ash was falling heavier now, flakes glowing with fire. When I turned to look over my shoulder, I caught a blast of smoke that filled my mouth and nose, and I clamped my hand over them, struggling not to cough.

"These guys aren't moving on fast enough," Daniel said. "We need to go. Back out slowly."

"Back?" My heart raced. "Toward the fire? We can't--"

I stopped myself. Struggled for calm. Glanced over at Rafe and saw him doing the same. He met my gaze, and mouthed, "It's okay."

Push past the instinct. That's all it was. Animal instinct telling me to get away from the fire at all costs. Human reason had to overrule.