Silver Creek crimes against children are so easy to get away with.

The instant the words left her mouth, Bat felt a bolt of utter regret. She immediately wanted to apologize but Artaax spoke before she could. The apology got stuck in her throat, swallowed down bitterly when he proceeded to throw more insults at her. What hurt worst of all—and honestly scared her—was her brother's blatant death threat. She was terrified mostly for herself but, despite herself, her thoughts cast out wider, to include Wildfire, Kiwi and Sequoia. Were they on the hit list too?

The last thing on earth she should've done was yell at him again. But as fat, hot tears squeezed out of her eyes, Bat found her mouth opening to scream, "FUCK OFF, ARTAAX!" She then kicked a nearby pile of leaves and dirt in the direction of his face—whether to distract or to spite him, not even Bat knew. She spun on a heel and fled, breath hitching and tears streaming backward along the edges of her cheeks as she ran.