Break Out!

I stood there for a second in the alley, looking down at Ammar's body. He was unconscious. My knuckles hurt.

"I thought that would feel more satisfying," I whispered to Jim.

"He's just a punk," Jim said. "Let's roll."

It was night, by now. The pit was in a fenced-off clearing behind us. I could see other pits half-dug nearby. I shivered.

Ammar had left his bike between two low storage buildings. Jim and I climbed onto the dusty machine. He kicked it to life. I could hear a baby start crying somewhere.

"Hold on," Jim said.

• I held on...