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"Sorry," he muttered "Kinda lost it there for a second"

"Kinda?" Bryson repeated, s halfheartedly

"Okay Nohich way is the stadium?" Sarah asked

Michael knew very well that she didn’t need to ask--she had everything esture and the show of confidence

"That way," he said, pointing behind her A fewthe alert he’d set up Gabby was in the city, ready to meet

"She’s here," he told his friends "Gabby"

Neither Bryson nor Sarah looked very happy Michael knew they were still worried thatabout the stadium yet," Bryson said "Have her come to that coffee shop over there" He pointed across the street

Michael sent thebehind a crowd of people until Gabby showed up They wanted to h Michael didn’t doubt she would He’d seen the look in her eyes when she’d first found him in Jackson’s body She was an innocent victim in all of this, just like him

Once she was inside the coffee shop, Michael, Bryson, and Sarah crossed the street and followed her in The place was only half full, and Gabby had already found a booth, where she sat looking around anxiously When she spotted Michael, such a look of relief spread over her face that he felt terrible for dragging her into all this

"Hi," she said when they walked up, eyeing Sarah and Bryson

"Hey, Gabby," Michael replied, hating the aardness The restaurant arm and smelled of burned coffee "This is Bryson And Sarah Guys, this is Gabby" Her nicknauardedly as they sat down Sarah studied Gabby from across the table, and Michael couldn’t tell if it was out of jealousy or mistrust Or both

"Well?" Sarah finally pressed Everyone focused on Michael

He sishing they’d had a chance to order drinks "Okay, listen Gabby … I’ I’ve said is true"

Her eyes , "Crazy stuff Crazy, crazy stuff"

Michael glared at hi Michael, Sarah took charge She reached across the table and grabbed Gabby’s hand "Do you want us to call you Gabriela or Gabby?"

"Gabby" The girl pulled her hand out of Sarah’s grasp, clearly uncomfortable

"Okay," Sarah said "Gabby, then Look, the three of us have been friends inside the Sleep for a long time But then we found out that Michael was a part of the Lifeblood Deep prograht?"