When Corey put his hand to Teri’s forehead the next morning, it was cool. She looked healthy.

  “Teri? You awake?”

  The girl’s eyes opened.

  I’m not going to hurt you, he thought. Go ahead and look. I don’t have anything to hide.

  “What happened?” Teri said. “Who are you?”

  “My name is Corey. Your friends Ruddy and Xeke brought you in. You were in pretty bad shape. I’m a healer.”

  “So, I’m healed?” Teri shifted her leg and frowned.

  “If I’d gotten to you right after you were shot, it would have been easy, but once something heals on its own, it’s beyond my power. The infection is gone, and you’re fully recovered from your surgery.” Corey pointed to a cane leaning against the wall. “But you’re probably going to need that. I wish I could have done more.”

  “Who’s Eliza?”

  Corey froze. Shit. She shouldn’t be able to ...

  He looked around the room. He’d come in here for something, but he couldn’t remember what. Damn. I must be getting old. He glanced at the empty bed, then headed out the door toward the cafeteria. He was starving, and he felt like he hadn’t gotten a bit of sleep.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Teri slid off the bed, keeping her distance from Corey. She grabbed the cane and stood, testing her weight, then reached out with her mind.

  Ruddy?

  Teri! Are you okay? Where are you? What’s wrong?

  There’s a man here with me. Corey. He says he healed me, but I think he works for the government.

  What? Xeke’s awareness exploded into her mind. He was entwined in the arms of two nude women, and his hand was on ... Teri turned red.

  That’s ridiculous, Xeke thought. Corey’s a friend.

  I’m not so sure. Someone named Eliza sent him here to find us. Most of it’s hidden away somehow, but she knows a lot about us.

  Calm down. Eliza doesn’t work for the government. She’s a friend of Fred’s. She helped Fred find most of us. You’re safe here.

  I’m coming, Teri. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Ruddy imagined himself charging into the infirmary and battling a group of stereotypical thugs. She felt him pulling his shirt on and noticed he’d put it on backwards.

  She laughed. Her fear seemed silly now. I’m fine, Ruddy. Actually, I feel great. It was just a shock—I woke up in a strange place, didn’t know how I got here.

  I’ll be right there. I’m so glad you’re okay.

  I’m coming too, Xeke said.

  Wait, Xeke, Teri said. You can hear Ruddy?

  Uh, you mean you’re not doing that? Xeke said.

  Something was wrong. Teri focused on the connection between them. Oh, no.

  What? Ruddy said.

  I’m not sure. Let’s talk about it later.

  Sure, Xeke said. We’ll go get breakfast, you’re probably starving. Tell Corey I’ll be there in a minute.

  Um … about Corey, Teri said. I sort of erased part of his memory. I can fix it. I think.