Born (The Born Trilogy Book 1)

by Tara Brown

  “I know.”

  We ride in the dark for a while, but then we feel the truck veer off to the left and slow down. We hear talking and the truck starts moving again. I have my bow ready. I stand at the back of the truck and press my back against the metal. When it comes to a stop and the door opens, I am ready.

  When the first bit of light hits I let the arrow soar. I've already pulled a second arrow and shot my second guard when necks are broken and knives are slashing. Mona backs the truck up and parks over the dead guards. Their guns are thrown in the back of the truck and Will and Jake each take one.

  My bow is left in the truck, but the back of my pants is filled with knives and scanning cards. I have a gun with a silencer too.

  When we enter the facility, I let Will snap the neck of the first nurse. I try not to watch him kill. It makes it harder to watch him sing later around the fire, with images of him snapping necks and stabbing people. It's the same with Jake.

  We move silently and effectively. We are always split into teams. Will and Jake are doctors and have Anna as a patient in tow. I am alone with Leo. I always dress as a doctor. Mona and Joe stay with the truck. Mitch and Muriel are a doctor and nurse team. Everyone takes a wing and guides their group to the pool. I take the girls about Anna's age who are fit and don’t have babies in tow.

  I have to blow up the building.

  Each building is the same. They are made like a cookie from a cookie cutter. Every room and garden looks the same.

  I don’t ever take the elevator. I take the stairs and sabotage the elevator when I'm in the basement.

  I slink down the stairs and open the door. Leo growls. He hates the boiler rooms of these places. I dig my fingers into his fur.

  We walk into the place just as cautious as the first time.

  I glance around nervously. Something feels off. My stomach hurts so I stop in my tracks and turn around. Leo leaps at the same time a shot is fired. He falls to the ground mid-jump and whines. Everything slows down. I scream as loud as I can and leap for him, firing shots at the men standing behind the elevator. Two fall. I land on Leo and everything gets hazy. The steam releases and the valves make their noises. I dig my fingers into his fur. A dart stabs out of him. He's not shot—he's poisoned and it’s making his breathing slow down. I sob into him but my head feels heavy. I try to lift the gun but I can't. I manage to lift it once and shoot the pipes several times. Water and steam blast everywhere. I shoot the boiler in the far corner. I look at my left arm and see the dart sticking out of me too. My eyes grow heavy.

  I grip his fur tight and feel my breathing begin to pace with his. The darkness takes me quickly. I try to fight it but I can't. The last face I see makes my stomach clench tight.

  Marshall.

  The End

  Don’t forget to grab Born to Fight, the exciting second in the Born Trilogy, and the riveting conclusion Reborn. Both are available now.