Chapter 23
The quiet, nerve-straining walk through Maple Ridge chilled Iris more than the frigid wind driving stray bits of snow. The same streets, shops, houses, even the trees she knew so well had taken on threatening new life in the last twenty-four hours. Every leaf skittering down the sidewalk, creaking branch against heavy clouds overhead, and especially a few open doors rattling and slamming in the wind sent her heart pounding.
The deserted town left Gena and Iris’s mother every bit as jumpy. Iris carrying an assault rifle while her mother carried a handgun and Gena carried the axe only made things worse. A quick dash inside to get the van keys and too-fast drive back to the middle school was all any of them could manage.
Iris didn’t think she had enough space in her mind and hea
