on the asphalt was the first t

ld. Her head bobbed slightly with the motion of the

d in the cup ho

his earpie

"The transport team is reporting th

his eyes staying on t

sigh of relief. "You have her? Whe

be like throwing a gazelle into a pit of lions. His uncle Heber was already spinning the narrative t

e on 4th. Call Evans. Tell him t

od. And t

small, cynical smile touched his lip

pered, shifting in her slee

tightened on t

nard said she was single. No chi

he informa

behind a nondescript brick building. Dr. Evans

walked around to the passen

dead weight. He slid his arms under

er than she l

sed, looking at the tatter

oving vehicle," Cooper s

room. It was sterile, white

er on the exa

e cuts. And test her blood. I w

ed Evans work. He watched the scissors cut away the ruined

t the system that made her necessary. At her father, Bluford

s pa

the cracked window, blowing

from

tur

es were wide, wild. She ripped the IV line

epping forward. He hel

eadboard, pulling the thin sheet up to

er voice was ras

oice low, the way one speaks to a spooked horse.

flickering behind her

inted at him. "Y

r," he

. All the blood lef

She thought he wa

back against the counter, adopting a

lding. Her shoulders slumped. "Right. Sorr

oyfri

e looked down at herself. She was weari

ed smoothly. "The n

ked around. "Whe

r. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pie

you're alive. But th

out th

sport: $50. Emergency Clinic Fee: $300

up at him

u want me

face impassive. "I missed a night of fare

nished, replaced by dis

r gas money. Monsters don't c

, working-c

, then at him. "I don't have

Cooper said. "I

id quickly. "I promise

ed her. This

ive. Or where you used to live, judging

sca," she s

," he r

ut this time, she managed a weak,

drenaline finally fading

Cooper," s

room, a hint of amusement softening his tone. "