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But none within touching distance of them

She gasped, and her eyes flew to his “Is it the light? Are they afraid of the light?”

“No Scorpions are nocturnal and don’t like the light, but it isn’t the light that scares them” He paused “It’s me”

Her mind reeled at his quiet assertion A , ere they afraid of Striker?

He unpicked her fingers fro walk out of here and no time to waste Stick close to me, and you’ll be fine”

At his words, her attention flew back to the ring of scorpions, and she held hiside the stream bed Slowly, they moved deeper into the canyon, all the while surrounded by a crawling carpet of scorpions The noise was soet—the sound of afeet as they cla of pincers as they rubbed together It was unnerving The sound of nightmares

“I’ht of h the darkness was too much to contemplate

“Especially seeing as they have about twelve each”

She poked him in the ribs “That doesn’t help”

They walked on in silence, ress When they reached the narrowest part of the canyon, the spot that should have run under the border wall, the scorpions raced up the sheer faces on either side of theh They inched forward, passing the scorpions and crossing under the cool glow frohts that came from eac

h edge of the ravine Friday’s heart stuttered as they crossed the few short feet that took them past the border wall They were officially out of the Northern Territory

And heading into the Red Zone

“Just a little farther,” Striker said

“Why do the scorpions stay away from you?”

He shot her a look she couldn’t quite read “Maybe, if we get that poison out of you and you survive, I’ll let you in on that little secret Right noe gotta focus on getting out of here Soon, we’re gonna start the climb out of the canyon and the scorpions will stay behind”