Page 120 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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49

Aspen

Iknow it’s him before Dylan says anything.

I can feel it.

“Mom, Havoc wants to talk to you,” Dylan says, holding out the phone.

My heart starts pounding.

Why?

I don’t know.

I just know it does.

I take the phone.

“Hello?”

Silence.

Just for a second.

Then—

“Aspen.”

My chest tightens.

His voice is rough.

Lower than usual.

Like he hasn’t slept.

“You okay?” he asks.

And something about the way he says it—

Not casual.

Not routine.

Not just checking in.

I swallow.

“I’m fine.”

Another pause.

Longer this time.

“You’re not,” he says quietly.

I close my eyes.

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