Page 109 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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43

Aspen

The silence after gunfire is the worst part.

Worse than the noise.

Worse than the fear.

It means it’s over.

Or it means something worse is coming.

Rylie keeps her hand on my shoulder.

Steady.

Grounding.

Dylan clings to Buddy.

Grandpa is confused.

Shaken.

“Stay here,” Trigger says.

His voice is calm again.

Controlled.

But I see it in his eyes.

We were close.

Too close.

Sirens fill the air.

Relief crashes through me so hard my knees almost give out.

The Sheriff’s truck pulls in first.

Deputies right behind him.

Lights flashing.

Dust swirling.

Rylie’s dad is out of the truck as soon as he stops.

Trigger steps outside tomeet them.

I follow before I can stop myself.

One of the men is still on the ground.

Not moving. I bend over and check if he’s dead.

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