A frantic sprint ensued, mud sucking at Marcus’s boots with each pounding step. Luna clung to him, eyes wide. The criminals shouted curses, waving their arms wildly. Then, to his shock, rocks began to sail past instead of bullets. Clods of dirt and broken shale cracked through the air.
Pain seared Marcus’s shoulder as a jagged stone grazed him. He staggered, arms struggling to keep Luna balanced. Another rock whooshed by, narrowly missing his head. The realization struck: their threats of gunfire had been a bluff. But their desperation and aggression felt alarmingly genuine.