Reaching the gate, the two shivering guards willingly stepped aside, giving way to all eight of us.
I stood next to Marcus and Jericho, holding Katie's little hand as we all stepped out of the gate and paused briefly, inhaling the clearer air that cascaded in the city, floating along with the night's growing cold that slapped against my cheeks.
I gazed skyward.
The moon hadn't surfaced yet. In fact, the golden, almost melted figure of the setting sun still hid behind a wave of passing clouds.
Katie's grip on my palm tightened. I looked down at her.
"Are you okay?" I asked with a soft voice.
And in less than a heartbeat, she raised her head. Her twinkling orange pupils seemed dull, but her bright smile suggested otherwise. She nodded, tilting her head as she said, "I'm fine!"
Clearly, she was terrified. No matter how mature she was, the little girl — in the end — was only a little girl. I could feel the slight tremors in her hand, and even her voice seemed a bit shaky.
