In the silence, Sarah reorientated herself. They had managed to clear a couple of blocks, pulling up outside the facade of the Tender Centre her mother frequented. She could see the complicated intersection ahead and the railway crossing that bisected it, with the green railway watchtower sitting guard over it all. Behind them, a steady column of thick smoke billowed high. Nothing else moved on the street. The ever-present growls and snarls continued to fill the air.
James’s eyes snapped to hers, all humour gone from his face.
‘Never do that again.’ His chest heaved. He didn’t say anything else, but his white face spoke volumes. Sarah wanted to make a promise to him, but couldn’t form the words. She was willing to do far worse to keep her family safe.
She leant to pick up the first bag
