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But I don’t want Hayley or Sage to see it burn.

The man pours fuel over the backpack.

My vision narrows.

“Come on, Kane.”

The lighter opens again.

A small flame flickers in the man’s hand.

Then the camera feed disappears.

“No.”

Taylor’s hands move.

“They cut the system.”

“Get it back.”

“I’m trying.”

Arthur pushes the SUV faster.

We’re still more than twenty miles away.

The radio remains silent.

I stare at the black screen.

One minute passes.

Then two.

At three minutes, Taylor looks at me.

“Kane should be there.”

“Call him.”

“No response.”

“Again.”

Taylor tries.

Nothing.

A county road appears ahead.

Arthur turns without slowing.

The SUV bounces hard enough to lift me from the seat.

“Fourteen miles,” he says.

Smoke rises beyond the ridge.