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“It’s okay,” I reassured him. “It’s just the rest of our squad.”

Jameson and the others appeared. Joe’s eyes went wide.

“Guys, this is Joe. He’s being very brave. He said the monster took his friend Hudson.”

Jameson’s mouth flattened. “Marc and Zeke, I need you to take Joe back to town. We’re going to get your friend back, Joe.”

I finished tying off the bandage on Joe’s leg. Then I lifted the boy and handed him to Zeke.

“North.” The kid grabbed my arm. “Please. Please save Hudson.”

I nodded, my heart squeezing. I didn’t want to let him down…or make a promise I couldn’t keep.

Jess

“Okay,we need to track this monster and find Hudson,” Jameson said.

Zeke, Marc, and Joe had left, heading back toward St. Albans. Everyone’s nerves were at a fever pitch. We all knew the missing boy didn’t have much time.

Kai circled around, searching for tracks.

“The tracks are muddied up. Like the monster wasn’t sure what to do. It’s agitated.”

“We’ll split up,” Jameson said. “Kai and I will head upstream, North and Jess, you two go downstream.”

I turned my head and looked at North. He nodded.

We set off. The creek was almost peaceful, but I knew what could be lurking close by.

“You were good with Joe, kept him calm.” I admired North’s skills. He could calm a panicked injured person so easily—adult or child.

“I just hope we can bring his friend home.” There was a dark edge to his voice.

I paused. “We will.”

His jaw tightened, and there was such an emptiness in his eyes before he looked away. “I failed once before, and a boy died.”

“That’s not your fault, North. The monsters are to blame.”

“I was young and cocky. I was so sure I could save everyone.”

And now, he was a diligent and dedicated squad medic. Who still wanted to save everyone.

“Why did you want to become a doctor?” I asked.

“My dad. He was the medic for the berserkers.”

Ash Connors. I’d seen a picture of the man, and North looked a lot like him.

“He dreamed of being a doctor, but life made that too difficult. I guess I wanted to fulfill his dream.”

“He must be proud of you.”

“Yeah. He and mom are great. What about your parents?”

I looked away, staring blindly at the trees. “My mom died when I was young. She’d been injured during the invasion. She’d sustained shrapnel wounds and lost a kidney. She never reallygot her health back after that, and in those early days, medical help wasn’t always available. Having me didn’t help.”

“I’m sorry.”