Page 302 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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Light explodes inside the barn.

Blinding.

White.

Everything disappears.

Aspen gasps.

I pull her tight against me.

Turn my body.

Shield her face with my shoulder.

“Down!” I bark.

Sound follows—sharp—ringing—

My vision goes—

Nothing.

Then—

Shapes.

Blurred.

Moving.

“Push! Push!” someone outside yells.

Yeah.

They think that worked.

They’re wrong.

My hearing comes back in pieces.

Shouts.

Boots.

Movement inside the barn.

Too close.

I blink hard.

Vision clearing just enough—

A shadow rushes in.

Not Ranger.

Not CIA.

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