Trace pulls out a small laser pistol and shoots the guard. I barely have time to wonder indignantly why I didn’t get a weapon when the guard shoots back. I gasp and try to catch Trace as he falls, but he’s too big and I just end up collapsing with him. Tre and Dre jump out of the apartment door as Trace fires one last shot to the guard’s chest and goes limp, eyes staring.
“No!” I shout. Mama Hally and Cam are outside now, dragging the boys back in.
“Trace! Come on. Get up!” I grip his shirt.
Hally pries my fingers away. “Serenity. You have to get out of here. Now.”
“But Hally…Cam. There’s going to be more guards here any minute. They’re going to think you guys did this.”
“No, they’ll think it was an altercation between Trace and the guard.”
“But…”
“You have to leave before they get
