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I lead the way, Ja to my hand

It’s crazy--the last time ere here, ere on the run from Warner Me and Juliette It was the first time she met James, the first tiether And then Kenji showed up and redirected the course of everything I shake o, souy back then I feel rier now Difficult to believe it was only a few o

The front door is still uys busted it open, but we make do I yank on the handle and then shove, hard, and the door swings inward

Suddenly we’re all crossing the threshold

I’ als are knocked over and the place needs a serious cleaning, but it’ll work It’ll be a great, safe place to live for a while I start flipping switches and the s steadily in the silence James bolts toward his bedroooods and nonperishable itees for the Autoh of relief

"Who wants breakfast?" I ask, holding up a few packets

Kenji falls to his knees, shouting, "Hallelujah!" in the process; Ian practically tackles , "ME ME ME I DO I DO," and Lily laughs her head off Alia sainst the wall as Brendan and Winston collapse on the couch, groaning in relief Castle is the only one who reht, everyone," Kenji says "Ada, and the rest of you can take turns washing up Also, I hate to be super obvious here, but there’s only one bathroom, and we all have to share, so let’s please be aware of that Adaal, okay? Let’s re on rations now Consideration is crucial"

There’s general consent and lots of nodding, and everyone busies themselves with a different kind of preparation Everyone except Castle, who sits down in the single ar worse than Brendan and Winston, who happen to be in actual physical pain

I’ at the two of theroup to askto help patch up Brendan and Winston I assure hiot to fix them up as best I can I always have a little medical kit at home, but it’s not extensive, and I’h I think I’ll be able to help This cheers up Ian significantly

It’s only once Kenji and I are busy preparing food in the kitchen that he brings up theissue The one I’ to do about Juliette?" Kenji asks, tossing an Automat packet into a bowl "I’o after her"

I feel myself pale I don’t kno to tell hio back out there Certainly not to fight--not after what happened to James "I don’t know," I say "I’m not sure e can do"

Kenji stares at et her out of there Which ot to plan another rescue ht that was obvious"

I clear my throat "But what about Ja too well over here Is it okay to just leave the about? Aren’t you in love with this girl? Where’s the fire under your ass? I thought you would be dying to get to her right now--"

"I aently "Of course I am I’m just worried--it’s so soon after they boer ait, the worse it’s going to get" Kenji shakes his head "We have to go as soon as possible If we don’t, she’ll be stuck there forever, and Warner will use her as his torture monster He’ll probably kill her in the process without even e of the counter and stare into the sink

Shit

Shit shit shit

I spin around at the sound of Ja Alia said My heart constricts just thinking about walking away froain But I know I have a responsibility to Juliette What would she do if I weren’t there to help her? She needs h "Of course What do we have to do?"

FIFTEEN

After breakfast, which was actually closer to lunch, I tend to Brendan and Winston for a bit, and set theet some proper rest James and I had collected a decent stash of ratty blankets and pillows over the years, so there’s just enough to go around, and thank God for that, because it’s cold as hell We even wrapped a blanket around Castle’s shoulders He’s still barely ot a little color in his cheeks now

With Brendan and Winston settled, Ian and Alia and Lily fed and co, Kenji and I are finally ready to initiate soo out," Kenji says "Get on base and get nosy Listen for ru on--ive her a heads-up that we’re coreat start"

"Once I knowon, we canher home"

"So as soon as she’s back," I say, "we’ll have to ain"

"Probably, yeah"