Page 126 of Wrench

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¡°Exactly. So, what are you two up to lat¡ª¡± I started but I was interrupted by a shrill,

blood-curdling scream from Kelly. All of us looked alert and exchanged glances.

¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked.

Unfamiliar muffled shouting from behind the walls was heard, and we ran out to

inspect. Before we turned the corner, we heard a man shout: ¡°Put your hands up!¡±

followed by Kelly¡¯s sobs.

My heart thumping, I turned to Ellen and said, ¡°Go call 911.¡±

¡°I¡¯m not leaving you two,¡± she whispered back.

¡°You have a son, Ellen, please. Go.¡± I turned to Lizzie. ¡°You should go with her.¡±

¡°Why?¡± she asked and furrowed her brows.

¡°Because you¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re too¡ª¡±

Once Lizzie realized I didn¡¯t have a valid excuse, she cut me off and said, ¡°I¡¯m not

leaving you alone.¡±

¡°Fine,¡± I hissed reluctantly and turned to Ellen. ¡°Go.¡±

Ellen ran down the halls and I grabbed Lizzie¡¯s hand. Peeking around the doorframe to

the lobby, I almost screamed when I saw three huge men in leather jackets. Each had a

pistol in their hands and pointed them at Kelly. Her hands were in the air and tears

streamed freely down her face as she begged, ¡°Please don¡¯t shoot me.¡±

¡°Give us all your K.¡±

¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know what that means.¡± She shook her head, giving the men a pleading,

desperate look.

¡°Ketamine, you fucking narc.¡±

¡°I¡­ we don¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t think we have that¡­¡±

¡°Stop fucking lying, little girl!¡±

Adrenaline washed over me, and I let go of Lizzie¡¯s hand to step into the danger.

¡°Kelly,¡± I said in a steady voice, ¡°We call it Vetalar here.¡± I turned to the three men and

slowly held up my hands, trying to remain calm. ¡°Please don¡¯t shoot. She just didn¡¯t

know.¡±

¡°Then go fucking get it,¡± the man in front said.

¡°Okay, I will,¡± I told him. ¡°It¡¯s in the back. Please just¡­ lower your guns.¡±

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