Marybeth flicked her fingers at Malcolm, a quick sign that the streets were clean.
She stayed by the window with Lance and Aljun while they kept watch from the second floor, checking the street and the rooftops for any movement.
Malcolm moved first. He opened the window and slipped out.
Iyisha followed him into the sunlight, squinting a bit as she dropped down. The others came after, landing close and staying low.
They started moving right away.
Malcolm took them through a corner, then another block, then another, and they followed his pace without talking. The streets they passed were empty, and it stayed quiet long enough for them to move without worrying.
Then the sound started to shift.
Iyisha heard voices ahead, faint at first, then clearer as they got closer. People talking. Footsteps. Normal movement.
She glanced toward the sound while still walking.
They were getting close to where people were.
