Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
I climbed in the back. "I know you disagree with what I just did."
"I actually don't."
"No?"
"I think what you did was admirable and beautiful." Yoichi gripped the keys hanging from the ignition, twisted them, and turned the cart’s engine on. "I just think the Dragon will break my ribs over it."
I widened my eyes.
Yoichi glanced over his shoulder. “Lucky for me, I heal pretty fast.”
Another boom from the outer ridge.
The cart shook, and then an older woman got in front of us.
Yoichi let out an annoyed breath. “Move. Now is not the time.”
“Oh, please help us!” The woman’s white hair was pinned in a low knot. She donned a black dress and had a cane in her right hand which made sense because her back was hunched over like she was in pain.
Her left hand held the small hand of a little boy. Another little boy stood on her other side.
Yoichi frowned at her. “The helicopters and boats are over there.”
The woman kept her gaze on me. "Tora, can you help us?"
I leaned forward. “What do you need?”
My remaining guards moved instantly, and one yelled out. “Step back. Get in line for evacuation. Now."
The old woman did not move. "Please, it’s just me and my grandsons. I’ve already lost my son—their father—in the last battle."
I looked at the two boys.
They were maybe eight or nine years old and wore matching lavender shirts and shorts.
Yoichi blew out that exasperated breath. “We don’t have time for you right now, old woman.”
I blinked. “Yoichi, we can help them.”
He sighed.
I gestured for them to come over. “How can I help?”
The old woman's eyes filled with hope. "These two little boys are my grandsons. I don't want them to die. Can you help us get to the evacuation? My old bones will not get us there fast enough. Please, Tora."
Yochi barked at her, "There's no room on the cart. We’re already at capacity for your security."
"There is room.” I scowled. “We'll take fewer guards. A cart will come back for them."
Yoichi pursed his lips.
“Come on.” I gestured for her to come over and sit next to me.
The guards backed up.
The old woman bowed so deeply I thought she would fall over. "Thank you, Tora. Thank you. Bless your soul a thousand times—"
“Just get on with it.” Yoichi sucked his teeth.
I blinked again, shocked at how rude Yoichi was being when I knew him to typically be very thoughtful.
She let her grandson’s hand go. The two boys ran over and hopped in the front with Yoichi who immediately frowned at them.
I saw one of them stick out his tongue at Yoichi.
Meanwhile, the old woman took her time getting over to the cart. She moved like every joint in her body was made of rust.
Her cane wobbled.
Yoichi scowled. “Speed it up, grandma!”
“Yoichi.” I stared at him in shock. “That’s quite enough. Let’s be nice.”
Still, she’d barely moved a few inches.
Holy shit. This woman is the slowest woman alive though.
Time was bleeding away from us.
A third boom from the outer ridge rolled across the trees. Closer this time. The cart shook on its wheels.
Somewhere behind us, a baby started screaming.
I glanced up and saw the helicopters rising into the air.
Oh good. They followed my orders and are getting people off the island. I’ll be up there in time for the second trip.
I put my view on the older woman.
Her right knee buckled twice before she got her foot up onto the running board.
When she finally made it to my side, I extended my hand to help. Her hand shook so hard on my forearm that I had to brace her elbow with my other hand to keep her upright.
"Oh. Thank you so much," she whispered. "These old bones aren’t what they used to be."
Yoichi rolled his eyes.
I scowled at him again.
What is his problem?
She took her time sitting down, but right when her butt hit the seat, Yoichi sped off. The impact almost knocked the woman out of the cart.
I yelled at him, “Could you slow down?!”
We rolled out onto the main gravel road heading toward the helicopter pad.
Another boom went off.
The cart shook hard. The old woman pitched sideways into me and I caught her against my shoulder. One of the boys let out a short laugh.
At least he’s not scared.
The cart rolled on.
We passed a family running with two suitcases.
Shit. We need to get more carts going. I’ll see if one of the guards can check.
We passed a guard yelling into a radio and right when we were getting close to the fork in the road to make the right toward the helicopter pad. . .Yoichi turned the steering wheel hard and took the left.
Huh?
The cart swung off the gravel road and onto a narrow dirt track I had not even noticed was there.
I looked around. “Yoichi?”