The City Was Already on a Timer

“Asthma attack. Two burn victims,” she said, face gray with dust. “We can’t get into the hospital. Every route is jammed.” Grace stared at him, then at Mia, who was trembling but trying not to cry. “Are we going to die?” Mia asked. Elias crouched in front of her and fixed the strap of her sneaker with fingers that were calmer than he felt. “No,” he said. “Not tonight.” He put Mia back with Grace, climbed onto the rear bumper of the ambulance, and used its fading auxiliary power to charge his phone just enough to bring the screen back. WCVB was live. Reporter Megan Holt stood in a wind-whipped broadcast position near the harbor, hair stuck to her face, voice sharp and controlled.