Meanwhile, as chaos unfolded at one end, a different want grew at another, a completely different kind altogether.
An hour earlier, what was meant to be a peaceful night had turned into something ugly. Peter lay in bed, his arm hanging tiredly over Eliana. He had not drifted far into sleep when a loud crack tore through the night, the familiar sound of a gunshot. His entire body tensed, and for a brief moment, he froze, waiting to hear if there would be another. Then the sound echoed again, distant yet sharp enough to spark his instincts to life.
Fear stabbed him as the uninvited and unwelcome feeling returned forcefully. He knew that sound too well, and he knew what his former companions were capable of. Slowly, but carefully, he lifted his arm off Eliana so as not to startle her, then
