9

You pick up the radio and thumb the switch to broadcast out to the activists. Hopefully someone is actually there, monitoring the channel while they loop the broadcast in hopes of you receiving it.

"Anna, this is Decaarr."

The radio crackles. "I thought you'd be pleased," Anna says. "I honestly think we did a marvelous job."

"I suppose it might have been overkill," Anna says. "We just wanted to point out to the public that you can't always believe everything the government shows you a video of."

Anna clears her throat, and you detect a nervous energy in her speech. "We were wondering if you would want us to speak on your behalf in the hearings. Congress is looking to gather a panel of experts to inform them about the 'werewolf situation.' I'd like to be able to advocate for you."

"Is it really that easy for a civilian to speak in front of Congress?" you ask, bewildered.

"Not typically, no," Anna says. "But my father has a certain amount of influence in the political community. I really don't want to get too much into it over the air if you don't mind."

Anna huffs. "Isn't our fight? We've been busting our butts out here on your behalf. I would have expected a little more support from you. I'll see what I can do about easing off a little bit, but the guys aren't gonna be happy about it."

"Last thing before I go," you say, looking for Justin. The boy is sitting in a far corner, keeping to himself. You almost forgot about him, and it looks like nobody else has made note of the outsider either. "Justin's been snooping around, and we're deciding what to do with him. If he ends up leaving, I'll send a wolf to bring him back to the hole in the wall tonight. It's really not all that safe for him in here."

"I'm glad you found him," Anna says. "Try not to rough him up too much, okay? I know he's a pain in the ass, but he's a good kid. He means well."

You look back into the fire, losing yourself for a moment. "Anna," you say. "I've got to go. It's been a long day, and I don't see it getting better any time soon."

Anna bids you a good night, sounding disappointed if not overly surprised.

Next

You look over to the room's far corner. Justin is still sitting there, rolling a small wooden peg back and forth across the floor, a forlorn look on his face. Where did he even get the damn thing? You stand up, stretching your back with an ominous pop. Too much stress and not enough sleep, you think to yourself. It's wearing me down.

Justin studiously ignores you as you walk over. The boy smells of sweat and the grime of the streets. He's spent too much time here in Haven. "Are you sending me back?" he asks sullenly.