"Quickly!!"
Iora yanked Karl's arm hard, pulling him through the tangled chaos of the underbelly's narrow streets.
Shouts echoed behind them, a blur of voices, footsteps, and reaching hands. Bodies crowded in from every side, some shouting for help, others simply chasing the noise.
Iora and Karl cut left, then right, slipping through the mass of people until Ryker and Ryn were lost in the throng. Iora didn't stop. Her grip on Karl was firm, unshakable, her breath coming sharp and fast as she led him through any shortcut she could find.
It was dangerous going through shortcuts, but it was the only way.
Every sound made Karl's heartbeat double, but he didn't stop. He couldn't. Not with Iora pulling him like a rag doll.
They barreled through the door of the old workspace and slammed it shut behind them. Karl staggered back, leaning against the wall as he fought for breath, the hood of his coat slipping off his head, and sweat glistening on his forehead.
