Chapter 117

Crouching down in the woods had become uncomfortable, but Rain tried not to think about the pain in her legs. They’d been in the same position for almost two hours now as the battle raged in front of them, not so far away. The sound of explosions, of gunfire, and screams were close enough that Rain could imagine they were just on the other side of the trees in front of them, though she knew exactly where they were hunkered down and that Gretchintown proper was still about a hundred yards in front of them, on the other side of the woods.

The scent of smoke had begun to hit her lungs about an hour into their wait. Not only were the bombs they were using capable of creating great plumes of smoke, she had a feeling that several structures were on fire. She couldn’t see any flames, but she smelled wood burning. At least she couldn’t smell burning flesh, even though she had an idea that there w