Free Paired Pursuit by Clare Murray Page B

single-file up the metal steps, but Mari was glad when Finn took her arm again at the top. There was only a narrow catwalk between towers. Parts of the wall had been shored up with rubble and barbed wire. Crude metal spikes jutted from the bottom, although Mari rather doubted any of the Barks were stupid enough to impale themselves so easily.
    She took a deep breath of the night air, looking up at the stars. They were clear and bright, constellations distinctly visible in the sky. Stargazing hadn’t been something one could easily do within the bounds of a pre-Invasion city, since there had been so much light pollution in those days.
    While up here, she could see why Reno had been renamed Scar City—the mothership that had crash-landed atop the eastern half of the city had left blackened lines radiating outward, scars that had burned for months even with no apparent fuel. Years later, they were still visible, encircling the City. Mari shuddered, and Finn and Gareth moved closer as if instinctively offering comfort.
    â€œDid you grow up around here?” Finn asked.
    â€œIn Scar City? No. I was born and raised in Portland. When the Invasion happened, we were staying in our cabin in Tillamook. The aliens mostly concentrated on eating people in cities, so we were safe in the forest for a few months. Dad even found one of their smaller ships nearby, but it was abandoned.”
    â€œWhat made you leave?” Gareth asked.
    Mari shrugged. “Humans often seek strength in numbers. My parents eventually wanted the safety of walls, so we went to Seattle City—or what was left of it. From there, we went back to Portland, then came here.”
    Each time, the aliens had come in waves, attacking the walls at night. Until they went to Flagstaff City, Mari had believed they attacked everywhere with such fervor. Perhaps they had been caught up in the blood thirst of the first few years, before humans built walls to keep them out. Or perhaps her mother had been right, and the creatures had been following them.
    â€œMy father thinks the Barks underestimated us,” Mari said. “At least at first. That’s how we were able to shoot down so many of their ships. Of course, we underestimated them too.”
    â€œPeople have a tendency to disregard their enemies if they’re vastly different from them,” Gareth said. “I don’t think anyone expected the Barks to be so vicious, though.”
    Mari flinched as another volley of howls sounded. She could see a group of the aliens in the distance, undulating and pale as they ran among the rubble of what had once been suburbs. “Let’s walk,” she suggested.
    By the time they’d made it halfway around the wall’s perimeter, an attack began in earnest, a concerted attempt by the aliens to demolish part of the wall. Mari hung back as guards shot at the Barks, bullets flying mostly harmlessly through the night, but a few connecting. Craning her neck, she could see that the part of the wall the aliens were targeting was beginning to seriously crumble.
    â€œScrew this,” Gareth muttered. “I can’t stand by and watch this. Stay with her.”
    Finn drew her into his arms as Gareth strode forward, lights springing from his wrist and hand. They shone into the darkness, driving the aliens back.
    â€œHe can’t do much from up here,” Finn said. “The UV lights we use as weapons are more effective up close, but he can still drive them back.”
    After scattering the creatures, Gareth nodded to the guards and came back to them. “Ready to get down?”
    â€œYes.” Mari had seen enough for tonight, enough to know she wasn’t going to find the answers she needed at the top of the wall. It only stressed her out to see the aliens attacking—she hated to see them up close—and the chilly air was making her shiver.
    â€œCome with us, then.” Finn’s voice was pure seduction, and he led