Page 93 of Into the Mist (Into the Mist 1)

“Nope. Nothing.” Mercury stood and was surprised at how great she felt. The bee sting sensation was gone. The disorientation was gone. And her vision was completely clear. She glanced up at the truck, where Gemma was already inspecting the man’s wounds.

“What happened to him?” Mercury asked.

“While Georgie was being a monkey on his back, he swam with the current downstream until they were past the green crap. Then he cut to the shore, and as he did, a log broke free from a pile of tree debris and a bunch of other nasty-looking stuff. It should’ve knocked Georgie off his back, but somehow he managed to spin around and instead of it hitting the kid, the edge of a log smacked his head. For a moment I thought they were both going to drown, but he got them to shore before he collapsed.”

“How bad is he hurt?” Mercury asked.

“He probably needs stitches and for sure should be watched. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a concussion. He puked his guts up after he crawled to shore, and he’s been pretty dizzy.”

“The boys are really okay, right?” Mercury’s gaze met Stella’s. “No coughing? No bloody noses?”

Stella shook her head. “Nope. They’re freaked out but physically seem fine. Georgie is waterlogged and exhausted, but she’s fine too. What about you? What’d you feel before you passed out?”

“It was like the first time. The green stuff smelled like trees and dirt and stuff, and it burned like crazy—and then everything went black.”

Stella wiped a shaky hand across her face. “I thought you were gone. I thought I’d lost you.”

Mercury pulled Stella into a tight hug. “Not a chance.” When she finally released her best friend she continued. “Guess I should meet our new guy.”

“Our?” Stella’s brows lifted.

“Just a figure of speech. But if he has a concussion because he saved Georgie, it’s not like we can just leave him on the side of the road. Or can we? What’s your superpower tell you about him?”

Stella cocked her head to the side as she looked up at the man. “He’s one of the good guys.”

Mercury rolled her eyes. “From what we’ve seen he could be one of the only good guys out here.”

“Yup,” said Stella. “Want me to boost you up that incline?”

“Nah, I’ve got it.” With ease Mercury reached up, grabbed the lip of the incline, and almost without touching the steep side of it, she was up over the edge, standing on the side of the road, brushing her hands on her jeans. Then she looked down, saw Stella struggling, and grabbed her wrist and pulled her up so that she stood beside her.

Stella stared at Mercury.

“What?”

“You’re strong,” Stella said.

“Well, yeah, you know I work out.” Mercury shrugged. “I like free weights.”

“You were fast down there,” Stella added.

“Adrenaline,” said Mercury.

“We’ll see,” said Stella.

Mercury looped her arm through her best friend’s. “Don’t be a crazy person. I’m just me.”

Stella snorted but didn’t say anything else.