Before Kari could even get a word out, Ronald yanked her arm, whispering urgently, "Shh, don't make a peep. Follow me!" Kari snapped her mouth shut and followed Ronald as they ran for it, the sound of footsteps thundering behind them. Suddenly, Kari had an idea. Remembering a secret spot she'd found not too long ago, she urged, "Ron, this way!" They weaved through alleys until they reached a makeshift doggie door, beyond which was a wall.
"Over here," Kari gestured towards the back.
Despite her sweet look, Kari was a master at climbing. Both she and Ronald scaled the wall in no time, landing on the other side, which opened up to a bustling street. They kept their guard up, crossing the busy street to reach an abandoned factory once known as one of the biggest in the area but had fallen into disrepair over the years. "Kari, what is this place?"
"I stumbled upon it a while back," Kari said with a grin. "It's perfectly secluded yet central. We'll be safe here."
Ronald breathed a sigh of relief.
"How did those guys replace your place?"
"My mom's gone."
Ronald looked worried. Despite Calista's shortcomings, she was his mother. The thought of something bad happening to her made him uneasy.
Kari gasped, "Ron, I've heard those guys mean trouble. You don't think your mom-"
She was cut off by a massive explosion outside the factory!
Ronald realized something was horribly wrong and bolted outside.
"Ronald-"
Kari followed closely behind.
A thick plume of smoke rose into the sky, the explosion echoing through the city. The air was filled with the smell of gasoline, dizzying and overwhelming. "What happened?" Ronald stared at the rising smoke. "It's an explosion."
"It's coming from a chemical plant..."
The explosion at the chemical plant
was sudden Impacting the nearby residents within minutes. News crews rushed to the scene, broadcasting live as ambulances and fire trucks converged, their sirens a haunting chorus throughout the city.
"We need to check on Mom," Ronald said with urgency.
"But what if those bodyguards are still there?" Kari hesitated.
"If Mom hasn't come back by now, something's wrong," Ronald reasoned, striding off.
"Wait for me," Kari called, hurrying after him with her backpack in tow.
News of the explosion spread
citywide, with updates blasting from TVs in every corner. Firefighters pulled numerous victims from the wreckage as authorities began to tally the casualties.
Passing a mall, they saw the tragedy unfold on a large screen, sending shivers down Kari's spine.
Then, the news anchor reported, "According to onsite reporters, the chemical plant explosion has resulted in fifteen fatalities, including..."
Victims' bodies were brought out,
covered in white sheets that hid their
uj
faces. Ronald felt a sharp pain in his chest at the sight, then his gaze locked onto a familiar bracelet
poking out from under a sheet-
It belonged to Calista!
QUMS
Kari noticed the bracelet too and glanced at Ronald, speechless.
That was Calista's favorite bracelet, a simple gift from Ronald's father that she cherished deeply and rarely took off.
Ronald stared at the bracelet, his body shaking uncontrollably as the reporter's voice filled the air.
They made their way back to the alley in a daze, only to be stopped by Willa, who appeared frantic, "Don't go in there, the Malone family's people are swarming the place." "Mom, the Malones?" Ronald's face went pale.
Willa nodded, "They're going door to door, searching. It's not safe for Ronald to go home right now."
Ronald, still in shock, managed to ask, "What about Mom?"
Willa, unaware of Calista's presence at the explosion site, shook her head, "Your mom left around noon, said something about a great opportunity..."
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