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"We’re thinking we’ll pack some stuff up and come to Austin for a while," she said "Dad thinks that’s where they’ll start electing leaders and establishing a governht, and I was suddenly glad ere going to be close, too If they were going to rebuild, we needed to ht was Riley, and I shen I re to stay and help ether," Addie continued "We’ll probably be there in a few days" She bit her lip "Tell Gabe forbetween them

Addie patted her dad’s arm, which only increased his alaret there, okay?"

Wren nodded I dropped her hand as Addie stepped forward and wrapped her ar, and Addie leaned down and whispered so in her ear I couldn’t hear what it was, but when Wren pulled away she had tears in her eyes again She sh them and slipped her hand into mine

Wren squeezed my hand and pulled o home"

FORTY-TWO

WREN

I WAS MET WITH LAUGHTER AS I TURNED THE CORNER TO CALLUM’S old house A group of human kids sat in a front lawn to irls leaned over and whispered so to a boy, and his eyes widened

I instinctively reached for the weapon on iven all rin spread across the boy’s face when I glanced back up at theht? They described you as taller!"

I laughed, and when I faced front again Callu us

"Hey!" he called, his voice aht!"

I hopped up the steps and pressedas he pressed a hand into ainst hter "Better?"

"No" He quickly kissedhis aro first

I took in a deep breath as I stepped inside I hadn’t seen Callum’s family since that day they’d come by the facility He’d visited theone with him When he’d invited me to come to dinner, Addie had clapped her hands like this was exciting It mostly just made me uncomfortable

The house didn’t have any more furniture than the last ti drifted out from the kitchen Callum’s dad stood next to a table already set with plates, one hand clasped around his opposite arm

Mrs Reyes turned around, spoon in hand She senuine

"Hi, Wren" She put the spoon down and walked across the kitchen, holding her hand out "Nice to see you again"