Evan wasn''t the least bit worried about Tracey''s safety.


    "All the wild animals around here know my great-grandma. Some of them she''s actually helped out before-rescued them from traps or patched up a broken leg. They''re grateful, so they''d never hurt her. Honestly, they''d probably protect her if anyone tried anything."


    "And the ones that do want to hurt her? Well, good luck with that. They can dream all they want, but it''s just not happening."


    “See, Great-Gran might not know karate, but she''s got a real talent for poisons."


    "Her concoctions are more dangerous than a shotgun, I swear. She could have a bear begging for mercy! That''s why all the animals steer clear-nobody messes with her."


    Tarquin was silent for a moment, then just nodded. "Yeah... fair point."


    Tracey could take down a group of armed hunters without breaking a sweat. Her self-defense skills were no joke.


    Tarquin turned to Bernard. "How long does Grandma usually stay out?"


    Bernard shrugged. "Hard to say. She might be back by lunchtime, or she might note home until after dark. She doesn''t usually spend the night out there— unless something unexpectedes up."


    Tarquin sighed, a little disappointed. That meant he probably wouldn''t see Tracey for a while and he had a lot of questions he wanted to ask her.


    Bernard must''ve noticed, because he added, "If it''s really urgent, you can always call her on the wristband. She''lle back."


    Tarquin thought it over, then shook his head. "No, it''s fine. It can wait."


    Tracey was out gathering herbs-probably working on a cure for the virus. That was way more important.


    As for the mystery person... he could ask her about that when she got back.


    So, Tarquin changed the subject. "Bernard, I''m going to take a walk in the woods. If Elysia wakes up, could you let her know not to worry about me?"


    Bernard gave him a knowing look. "If Elysia can''t find you, she''ll just ping you on the wristband. No need for me to y messenger. Let''s go I''lle with you."


    Evan wanted to tag along too, but Tarquin shook his head.


    Evan was tough-he''d grown up in these woods, seen his share of blood and guts. But he''d only ever dealt


    It with wild animals. People were a different story, and Tarquin didn''t want Evan mixed up in it.


    Surprisingly, Evan didn''t argue. He just nodded and stayed behind.


    Truth is, Evan had his own ns. He couldn''t stop thinking about the scar-faced guy his uncle in all but name.


    Last night, after dinner, he''d wanted to go find him, but Elliot had told him to give them some space, let everything sink in.


    So Evan had waited. This morning,


    ет


    he woke up early, intending to go straight to his uncle. But then he spotted Bernard, all alone, perched high up in an old oak tree, staring out at the sunrise. He looked. peaceful, for once.


    Evan knew Bernard was still hurting about his brother, so he climbed up and kept


    himpany. They sat there in silence for a while, just watching the world wake


    up.


    Now, with Bernard cheered up a bit and heading into the woods with Tarquin, Evan finally had his chance.


    He tapped his wristband, tracked down his uncle''s location, and ran to the supply shed to grab a snack pack—some trail mix, jerky, and a couple of gran bars— before setting off.


    He found his uncle dozing against a tree. The night before had been rough for the man-after parting


    with Bernard, he''d wandered the


    woods punching the air and trying to work out the grief and anger. Eventually, exhausted, he''d slumped against the trunk and drifted off as dawn broke.


    At the first sound of footsteps, the scar-faced man''s eyes snapped open, wild and alert.


    Before Evan even came into view, his voice carried through the trees, "Hey, rx! It''s just me!"


    A secondter, Evan burst into the clearing, a little out of breath, waving a hand. "Seriously, it''s just me!"