Chapter 84: Recognition
Alessa, Janie, and Isaac emerged from their short jaunt through the woods and across the overgrown expanse of Raptor's abandoned corporate campus to find a dozen or so people crowded in a ring. They were all gesturing towards whatever was in the center - Alessa couldn't see what - and chattering excitedly.
Getting close enough to peek through the mob, Alessa's heart dropped into her stomach.
It was Carlos - returned from last night's training mission - with a dead creature in tow.
Pushing her way through the crowd, Alessa surged to the center of the circle, pleading under her breath: it can't be him, it can't be him, please don't let it be him.
And with a gasp of relief, she saw immediately that it wasn't.