15: Yusef.

I take a step forward, ready to feel a bullet hit me, when out of the corner of my eye I see movement.

“She’ll be a useful toy to sit at my feet while I’m the one that rules,” he hisses.

“Never,” I seethe, and then the gun goes off.

Phoenix screams, but I don’t feel any pain as I look down and see I’m unharmed. I turn around and she reaches for me, checking me over to see where the bullet hit.

“He missed?” she asks in disbelief.

We both look back to see Marco in a pile on the floor with a bullet between his eyes. Then out of the corner of my eye, I see a woman step into view holding a gun.

“Margaret!” Phoenix shouts and rushes to her. The older woman holds her steady as she looks at me.

“Is this him?” she asks, and Phoenix glances between us and then nods.

“Get her to safety,” Margaret says as she looks out the window. “I don’t know how much time you have.”

“No, we can’t leave you,” Phoenix says, pulling her hand.

“There’s no time, child,” Margaret says.

“Phoenix.” I draw her attentio