"I'm fuckin' pickin' up the pace," I grumble, fed the fuck up with this entire situation and it hasn't even gotten started. But whatever else I might say gets swallowed up by that slowly building whine, my heart leaping up into my throat.

"What are you stoppin' for? Let's go," I shout, my brisk walk edging toward a run, because in the distance, I can see it. Darkness creeping up on the city like rot.