The cop car was still there and in one piece. “It’s clear,” he whispered, curling a finger for Sophia and Dan to follow. He stepped outside, pulse racing because here they go again and the last thing he wanted to do was jump on this ghastly merry-go-round and hang on for dear life but they had no choice. They were the hunted now, reduced to prey in a blinding flash, the evolutionary tables turned. His legs ached and cold sprinkles fell on his face. “Wait!” They turned to find Wendy standing in front of the manager’s office with a case of liquor bottles in her hands. “Got room for one more?” Paul traded an I told you so look with Dan and, one by one, they filed out to the car parked beneath a cold gray sky that wept for them and their plight. Before climbing in, Paul took Sophia by the hand and pulled her against him, the rain turning to sleet, tapping against their coats. “I love you.” She smiled up at him, green eyes glowing through the gray. “I love you too,” she said softly, planting a wet kiss on his lips.
