She nods, picks up Shadow (who ofc would've freaked out after the gunshots), and heads out the door.

Cully had staggered to his feet. He held on to the back of a chair as he clutched his shoulder; blood twined over his fingers. "Alex, I swear to you---youre making a big mistake," he panted.

His eyes were bright blue, almost as familiar to Alex as his own. A hard pain clenched in Alexs chest as they regarded each other. Brothers, he had said. The man had been more like a father to him; Alex had looked up to Cully more than anyone hed ever known.

"Yeah, I know I am," he said softly. "I should kill you--the old Cully would have thanked me for it."

She's gone silent again, petting Shadow with one hand.

He turned and started to walk quickly to the gates. Who knew how much time they had before his 'friends' showed up.

She follows Alex silently.

A dusty black 4x4 truck sat parked outside the gate beside the Chevy; in the back through its tinted windows, they could just make out stacks of boxes. He grabbed his things from the Chevy, then flung them in the back and jumped into the drivers seat.

She gets into the passenger's seat.

A second later, they were roaring off, bouncing and jolting over the rough earth as clouds of dust swirled up behind them

She holds onto Shadow, who's still freaked out.

He drove in silence for a while. Finally, twisting in his seat to peer over his shoulder, Alex reached behind him and pulled out a bottle of water from a cardboard case. He unscrewed the top and took a deep, thirsty swig.