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“What is it?” Sa?”

Astrid didn’t answer “Petey Window seat Window seat” It was a trigger phrase Astrid used to calm Little Pete down Sometimes it worked Other times not But in this case, Sam didn’t think Little Pete see to see that kind of alert, even intelligent, involvement on Little Pete’s usually blank face

The doll’s mouth opened As if it would speak Its eyes focused on Little Pete Malevolent, hate-filled eyes

“No,” Little Pete said

The ain And the furious eyes dimmed Painted dots once more

Astrid made a sound like a sob, quickly stifled She stepped in, whispered, “Sorry,” and slapped Pete’s shoulder, hard

The effect was immediate The creature disappeared Pete fell in a heap, sprawled out on the brown grass

“Are you sure you should—” Saan

Little Pete was capable of…well, no one was quite sure what he was capable of All that Sam and Astrid kneas that Little Pete was far and away the most powerful mutant in the FAYZ

“I had to stop hiets worse It starts with Nestor Then the ar to coed him to her

Sam looked sharply toward the buses The question in his mind—had Pete been observed?—was answered by the slack-jawed stares of the kids with their noses pressed against the dusty s

Edilio was definitely wide awake now, and co their way fast

Sam cursed under his breath “This has happened before, Astrid?”

She stuck out her chin defiantly “A couple of times”

“You ht have warned me”