Lights Out
by Navessa Allen
Contents
23. Aly
Overview
Aly and Josh evade police patrols while fleeing through the woods, narrowly reaching Junior's SUV. News arrives that the cops found Brad's victims and his cooperative parents are not impeding the investigation, while Junior's crew plans to fake Brad fleeing to Canada. Aly grows wary of her mob family's loyalty toward Josh, while Josh hints at punishing Aly for breaking her promise to stay behind.
Summary
Aly and Josh flee through the snowy woods after the alarm at Brad's mansion. Both are soaked, freezing, and exhausted. Aly worries about Josh's physical state after his fall through the pergola and his mental state given the proximity to Brad's victims, but admires his quick thinking in setting off the alarm to force police entry.
They reestablish radio contact with Junior, who has relocated to a black SUV down a dirt road after having to move the van. A police searchlight nearly catches them as a cruiser passes; they flatten against the hillside and remain hidden. The cruiser then sweeps near Junior's vehicle, but the dense conifers conceal it. Once clear, Aly and Josh continue on, with Josh carrying Aly bridal-style despite his injuries to protect her numb feet from frostbite.
They reach the SUV, driven by Jimmy, and warm themselves with dog blankets. Junior berates them for setting off the alarm, prioritizing avoiding heat on his father's company. A phone call confirms the cops found the bodies; Brad's mother fainted, and his father is fully cooperating, having been ignorant of his son's crimes. Junior reveals a plan to use Brad's debit card near the Canadian border to fake his flight from the country.
Josh recognized the smell of decomposition, prompting Junior's suspicion. Aly deflects with a lie about a dead deer. Junior confirms his men recognized the smell from their own violent pasts, deepening Aly's distrust of her mob family. She suspects the team may have planned to abandon Josh all along to let him take the fall for Brad's death.
Back at the warehouse, Junior briefs Aly on legal protocol and arranges a lawyer. Josh, whose injuries Aly insists on examining, ominously reminds Aly she's broken her promise to stay behind twice and warns of consequences. Aly, both apologetic and aroused by the prospect, leaves with Josh as their fates feel firmly entwined.
Who Appears
- AlyFlees through woods with Josh; wary of frostbite, distrustful of her mob family, anticipating Josh's punishment for breaking her promise.
- JoshInjured from his fall, carries Aly through snow despite cracked ribs, recognizes the body smell, and warns Aly of consequences for disobeying.
- JuniorAly's cousin coordinating the extraction; angry about the alarm, plans to fake Brad's flight to Canada, suspicious of Josh's knowledge.
- JimmyAging driver of the black SUV; provides dog blankets to warm Aly and Josh during their escape.
- Brad's parentsOff-page; cooperate fully with police after the bodies are found, claiming ignorance of their son's crimes.