Walking Disaster

here.”
    “I’m here, you whiny little girl,” Trenton said in a hushed voice.
    I sighed with relief.
    “How ya been, sis?” Trenton asked Abby, hugging her with one arm, and then playfully shoving me with the other.
    “I’m good, Trent,” she said, amused.
    I led Abby by the hand to the back of the building, glancing back to Trenton as we walked. “If the cops show and we get separated, meet me at Morgan Hall, okay?”
    Trenton nodded just as I stopped next to an open window low to the ground.
    “You’re fuckin’ with me,” Trenton said, staring down at the window. “Abby’s barely gonna fit through there.”
    “You’ll fit,” I assured him, crawling down into the blackness inside.
    Now accustomed to breaking and entering, Abby didn’t hesitate to crawl on the frozen ground and inch backward through the window, falling into my arms.
    We waited for a few moments, and then Trenton grunted as he pushed off the ledge and landed on the floor, nearly losing his balance as his feet hit the concrete.
    “You’re lucky I love Abby. I wouldn’t do this shit for just anyone,” he grumbled, brushing off his shirt.
    I jumped up, shutting the window with one quick pull. “This way,” I said, leading Abby and my brother through the dark.
    We weaved farther into the building until a small flicker of light could be seen ahead. A low hum of voices came from the same point, as our three pairs of feet grated against the loose concrete
on the floor.
    Trenton sighed after the third turn. “We’re never gonna find our way out of here.”
    “Just follow me out. It’ll be fine,” I said.
    It was easy to discern how close we were by the growing volume of the crowd waiting in the main room. Adam’s voice came over the bullhorn, yelling names and numbers.
    I stopped in the next room, glancing around at the desks and chairs covered in white sheets. A sick feeling came over me. The venue was a mistake. Almost as big as bringing Abby somewhere so
dangerous. If a fight broke out, Abby would be protected by Trenton, but the usual safe haven away from the crowd was full of furniture and equipment.
    “So how you’re gonna play this?” Trenton asked.
    “Divide and conquer.”
    “Divide what?”
    “His head from the rest of his body.”
    Trenton nodded quickly. “Good plan.”
    “Pigeon, I want you to stand by this doorway, okay?” Abby looked into the main room, her eyes wide as she took in the chaos. “Pigeon, did you hear me?” I asked, touching
her arm.
    “What?” she asked, blinking.
    “I want you to stand by this doorway, okay? Keep hold of Trent’s arm at all times.”
    “I won’t move,” she said. “I promise.”
    I smiled at her sweet, overwhelmed expression. “Now
you
look nervous.”
    She glanced to the doorway, and then back at me. “I don’t have a good feeling about this, Trav. Not about the fight, but . . . something. This place gives me the creeps.”
    I couldn’t disagree. “We won’t be here long.”
    Adam’s voice came over the horn, starting his opening announcement.
    I touched each side of Abby’s face, and looked into her eyes. “I love you.” A ghost of a smile touched her lips, and I pulled her into me, holding her tight against my
chest.
    “. . . so don’t use your hos to scam the system, boys!” Adam’s voice said, amplified by the bullhorn.
    I hooked Abby’s arm around Trenton’s. “Don’t take your eyes off her. Even for a second. This place’ll get crazy once the fight starts.”
    “. . . so let’s welcome tonight’s contender—JOHN SAVAGE!”
    “I’ll guard her with my life, little brother,” Trenton said, lightly tugging Abby’s arm for emphasis. “Now go kick this guy’s ass and let’s get out of
here.”
    “Shake in your boots, boys, and drop your panties, ladies! I give you: TRAVIS ‘MAD DOG’ MADDOX!”
    At Adam’s introduction, I stepped into the main room. Arms flailed, and the voices of many boomed in unison. The sea of people parted before me, and I slowly made my way out to the
Circle.
    The room was lit only with lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Still trying to keep a low profile from nearly getting busted before, Adam didn’t want bright lights tipping anyone off.
    Even in the dim light, I could see the severity of John Savage’s expression. He towered over me, his eyes wild and eager. He bounced from one foot to the other a few times, and then stood
still, glowering down at me with murder in mind.
    Savage was no