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The whole experience probably only lasted thirty seconds, but it felt like hours

I rubbed his back and said things like "It’s okay" and "It’ll be over soon" and "You’re doing good," which was a strange thing to say because it sounded like I was cheering hi

When it was over and he’d wiped his mouth on his sleeve, he leaned on inorht to meet us I wasn’t sure hoeren’t supposed to draw attention in that beast, but I didn’t botherboard so he could cliine, when she started it, was ridiculously loud, giving the NSA’s helicopter a run for its ht down to the fact that we had to shout to be heard, even from inside the oversize cab

Willow drove, and when she ja lot and onto the highway,our way out of the mountains and into the eastern side of the state, which was flatter and browner and more desertlike than where we’d just coaze directed at us from her place in front, as if she expected Tyler--as sitting upright now--to suffer another bout of sto--he was pale and had a sheen of perspiration across his forehead--but it irritated s," I snapped, even though she hadn’t said a single word I waved the plastic grocery bags she’d forced onus the evil eye

When she went back to watching the road, I turned to Tyler My chest tightened painfully

He was still achingly beautiful, his eyes even ainst the washed-out pallor of his skin, but already his cheekbones were more defined than they should be--even more than they had been just yesterday--and his lips were cracked and peeling

"Tyler," I started, but he reached across the space and gripped ently He squeezed ht he should be able to, and I felt somewhat better, even if it was foolish to let ainst his shoulder

Willow interrupted from the front "So Simon tells us youI wanted to do--make small talk with Willow--especially about myself, but Tyler seemed to perk up just a little "She totally does And she can hold her breath forever"

Si on the back of his seat as his eyes devoured ’s forever?"

"At least fifteenshe was trapped in the river" Tyler rin I hated how breathless he sounded "She can see in the dark too Can all of you do that?"

"No," Sienerate--heal," he explained "And we age more slowly and are more resistant to disease, but I don’t think any of the other Returned have shown signs of night vision or the ability to go long periods without oxygen" He and Willow exchanged another look, sharing another of their secrets "Have you heard of that?"

Willow gave a decisive shake of her head

"Anything else?" Siht about the gas station, and the way I’dacross the attendant’s stand until it s on it I wondered if any of the Returned could do that Move things with their ed "Not that I know of"

There was a brief silence, and then ere back to front-seat and backseat conversations when Willow dropped her voice and told Simon, "I talked to Jett while ere stopped, and he said there was chatter about the No-Suchers widening their search We were hoping they’d pack it in when they lost her, but I don’t think they’re letting this one go"

Since I was sure the "her" in question was lanced curiously at Tyler and then, tilting my head sideways, I interrupted them "The No-Suchers, who’re they?"

"The NSA, or as so they do is on the DL"

"So what’s the deal with the those of us they think were experimented on?" It was still al "alien" experiments out loud, so I didn’t try

"Officially, no Officially, they were never even here" He lifted a shoulder noncoest prize they’ve had their eyes on in years Maybe ever If Agent Truet his hands on youyou’re what they call a ‘career ent Trume with you put you all at risk?"

Willow lifted her chin "We’re not scared of therade-A pussies is what they are" I wasn’t sure about the "pussies" part, but I doubted Willoas used to being rinned at h the rearview "Not unless ant ’em to"