Read Online Uncontrollable (The Nature of Grace, Book 2) by S.R. Johannes - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: S.R. Johannes
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fear?”
I look at her.
She chews for a few seconds before asking what sounds like another nonchalant question. “Got your knife?”
I look in her eyes. That question is more up Birdee’s alley. “Always.”
Her face turns serious. “You listen here, Chicken. Don’t be afraid to use it if you have to. On anyone .”
I try hard to swallow, but even the soft graham cracker crust seems to stick in my throat. “Why? Do you think… anyone will?”
Birdee reaches over and grasps my hand, looking me in the eyes. “No, I don’t. Sweeney would never put you in danger. I believe that. If he thought there was even the slightest chance that maniac was here, you bet your sweet donkey, he’d never let you go. But it never hurts to be safe. And you need to know that you can take care of yourself.”
I nod and study her face to see if she’s really telling the truth, or if she’s trying not to scare me. She goes back to chewing as if we just discussed the weather.
Then, Birdee takes another bite without looking at me. “Not to mention, I wouldn’t let you go if I thought you were in danger either. Maybe I’m naïve but I do believe one thing, we all have to get back out there or the bad guys win.”
“I know.”
We eat our third MoonPie in silence. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s afraid to say anything, or if it’s because she’s thinking of eating a fourth snack. When I glance over, I happen to catch a hint of something in her expression.
I can’t tell if it’s fear or uncertainty, like maybe she’s unsure of what she’s saying. Or she’s not 100 percent confident in my decision. Then again, maybe she’s a little scared.
Maybe I should be, too.
* * *
At the station, Agent Sweeney spends some time reviewing the basics. In a nutshell, his wisdom is pretty much this: stay together, stay on the path, and stay warm. Not woodland science, if you ask me. Yet Wyn and Skyler hang on to every word as if it’s a new revelation, making me even more concerned about my team.
Skyler raises her hand when he pauses for a mini-second. “Do you think we’ll see any other wild animals?”
Porter stands up. “You could see cougars, bears—”
“Cougars and wolves and bears, oh my!” Seth blurts out in a high voice and dances around. Big Mike laughs his baritone, belly laugh while Madison shakes her head in disgust.
I can’t help but add fuel to the fire. “And don’t forget those wild turkeys.”
Skyler shoots me one of her mean looks. I’m starting to think those are the only ones she has – besides googly eyes of course.
I shrug. “What? Turkeys can be very dangerous. Don’t underestimate them. Especially this time of year. And trust me, if they see you with a pocketknife, they will not hesitate to attack and defend themselves against the Christmas tradition.” I cover my mouth to hide a pending smile.
Skyler scoffs. “Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
Agent Sweeney shakes his head. “I’d never know you were all on the same team here.”
Wyn speaks up, “Okay, so we know the basics. But what exactly are we looking for when we get out there? How do we know when we’re close?”
Porter sits on the desk and removes his Indiana Jones-style hat. “Wolves keep to themselves. They are very shy and try to stay hidden. So they’re very hard to track.” A pair of paw prints pops up on the screen. “Of course, you can look for their tracks in the snow. Listen for howls. Or…”
Seth jumps up behind Skyler and screams, “Find bloody carcasses of their half-eaten prey!”
Skyler screams and then cringes away from him. “Ew.”
As always, Wyn comes to the rescue. “Cut it out, Seth. Jesus, get a life.”
“Me?” Seth frowns. “In case you didn’t realize, white knights in shining armor with small swords are not cool anymore.”
Madison and I groan at the start of another Battle of the Egos.
“Neither are jerks ,” Wyn snaps back.
Agent Sweeney stands up to intervene again, but
I look at her.
She chews for a few seconds before asking what sounds like another nonchalant question. “Got your knife?”
I look in her eyes. That question is more up Birdee’s alley. “Always.”
Her face turns serious. “You listen here, Chicken. Don’t be afraid to use it if you have to. On anyone .”
I try hard to swallow, but even the soft graham cracker crust seems to stick in my throat. “Why? Do you think… anyone will?”
Birdee reaches over and grasps my hand, looking me in the eyes. “No, I don’t. Sweeney would never put you in danger. I believe that. If he thought there was even the slightest chance that maniac was here, you bet your sweet donkey, he’d never let you go. But it never hurts to be safe. And you need to know that you can take care of yourself.”
I nod and study her face to see if she’s really telling the truth, or if she’s trying not to scare me. She goes back to chewing as if we just discussed the weather.
Then, Birdee takes another bite without looking at me. “Not to mention, I wouldn’t let you go if I thought you were in danger either. Maybe I’m naïve but I do believe one thing, we all have to get back out there or the bad guys win.”
“I know.”
We eat our third MoonPie in silence. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s afraid to say anything, or if it’s because she’s thinking of eating a fourth snack. When I glance over, I happen to catch a hint of something in her expression.
I can’t tell if it’s fear or uncertainty, like maybe she’s unsure of what she’s saying. Or she’s not 100 percent confident in my decision. Then again, maybe she’s a little scared.
Maybe I should be, too.
* * *
At the station, Agent Sweeney spends some time reviewing the basics. In a nutshell, his wisdom is pretty much this: stay together, stay on the path, and stay warm. Not woodland science, if you ask me. Yet Wyn and Skyler hang on to every word as if it’s a new revelation, making me even more concerned about my team.
Skyler raises her hand when he pauses for a mini-second. “Do you think we’ll see any other wild animals?”
Porter stands up. “You could see cougars, bears—”
“Cougars and wolves and bears, oh my!” Seth blurts out in a high voice and dances around. Big Mike laughs his baritone, belly laugh while Madison shakes her head in disgust.
I can’t help but add fuel to the fire. “And don’t forget those wild turkeys.”
Skyler shoots me one of her mean looks. I’m starting to think those are the only ones she has – besides googly eyes of course.
I shrug. “What? Turkeys can be very dangerous. Don’t underestimate them. Especially this time of year. And trust me, if they see you with a pocketknife, they will not hesitate to attack and defend themselves against the Christmas tradition.” I cover my mouth to hide a pending smile.
Skyler scoffs. “Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
Agent Sweeney shakes his head. “I’d never know you were all on the same team here.”
Wyn speaks up, “Okay, so we know the basics. But what exactly are we looking for when we get out there? How do we know when we’re close?”
Porter sits on the desk and removes his Indiana Jones-style hat. “Wolves keep to themselves. They are very shy and try to stay hidden. So they’re very hard to track.” A pair of paw prints pops up on the screen. “Of course, you can look for their tracks in the snow. Listen for howls. Or…”
Seth jumps up behind Skyler and screams, “Find bloody carcasses of their half-eaten prey!”
Skyler screams and then cringes away from him. “Ew.”
As always, Wyn comes to the rescue. “Cut it out, Seth. Jesus, get a life.”
“Me?” Seth frowns. “In case you didn’t realize, white knights in shining armor with small swords are not cool anymore.”
Madison and I groan at the start of another Battle of the Egos.
“Neither are jerks ,” Wyn snaps back.
Agent Sweeney stands up to intervene again, but
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