Marked As Theirs
Chapter 53
Aaron's POV
Smoke.
That was the first thing I noticed.
And it was thick as it curled through the trees. Somewhere behind it, I could hear the fire cracking…and the screams.
At first, I thought it was North Dakota. I always do. The landscape in my dreams likes to trick me with the same trees, same gates, same everything.
But it wasn't…
There was a road sign handled by four bolts, and it was clearly written on it: GEORGIA.
Right where the three territories meet. A middle ground no one really claims but everyone walks carefully.
“What is happening?” I thought as I moved…no, ran toward the fire. “Fire in Georgia?”
I came to a stop when I saw them. Veronica first.
She was running too—barefoot, her hair wild, her nightdress stained with black ashes. She
