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THIRTEEN

CALLUM

THE SHUTTLE BEGAN TO DESCEND AS WE NEARED AUSTIN, AND Micah turned off the lights so ouldn’t be spotted I sat in the back next to Riley, and Micah and Jules talked quietly in the pilot’s section

I leaned ainst the ht about killing one human but you don’tuilt about it?

I’d always thought deep down she did feel guilty I just thought she didn’t show it Maybe she did feel guilty, and she didn’t even realize it?

Maybe you should take a look at who I am, instead of who you wish I were

I ran h my hair It was true that I liked Wren the way she was, but it was also true that I thought she’d change the longer ere away froht she’d have ht she’d be excited to use the skills HARC taught her to help, instead of to kill

I glanced at Riley next to ht know Wren better than I did He’d known her for years, since she was a newbie

He noticed ave me a weird look

"What was Wren like as a newbie?" I asked quietly

"Tiny Quiet" He paused, thinking "Terrified"

"Terrified?" I repeated skeptically

"Definitely," he said with a laugh "Everyone wasAnd she was so freaking traumatized by how she died that every loud noiseto hide in corners and under tables"

My chest twisted around until it was hard to breathe I couldn’t iine her like that Even at twelve, I couldn’t see her ducking under tables, terrified

"I alhest nuh on her I felt too bad for her"

"I can’t really i my eyes

"Sure you can," Riley said "You were there"