Page 72 of (Mostly) Human Resources

“All old wives’ tales start somewhere. They aren’t all rooted in truth, of course. We got lucky with that one.”

Alexys had far too many questions, and the adrenaline still thrumming through her veins wasn’t helping her nerves. Chiefly, she wondered:was that enough whiskey? What if the Jackalopes come back? And how will they drink the whiskey without opposable thumbs? What if we have to fight offdrunkJackalopes?

“Don’t overthink it, Keane.” Nic walked back into the shelter, and Alexys begrudgingly followed him. “Instead, ask yourself how you managed to get nearly eaten by the same creature—twice.”

“Oh my God.” Her words dripped heavy with sarcasm. She lowered herself onto her sleeping bag. “Do you think they might, I don’t know,live here?”

“No need for spite, it was an honest question.”

“No, it wasn’t. It was you making fun of me and reminding me of my incredibly bad luck. There was nothing honest about it.”

“Not true. I amhonestlyshocked by how bad your luck is.”

Alexys glared daggers at his back. “Next time, I’ll make sure the pack of Jackalopes eatsyou.”

He grinned. “A flaggerdoot of Jackalopes, actually.”

Of all the things she needed to process, that singular wordneededto be addressed immediately. “What did you just say?”

“A flaggerdoot,” he repeated with a careless wave of his hand. “It’s the word for a group of more than two Jackalopes.” She analyzed his face for any trace of humor but found none. He was being entirely serious.

“I don’t believe you. That’s not a word.”

“Yes, it is.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Nic smiled, small and teasing. “Then you should listen to yourself talk more often.”

“You’re such an ass.” She looked back toward the woods to reassure herself that the Jackalopes weren’t coming back. “It’sjustlike you to have a go at me after nearly being killed not once, not twice, butthreetimes in the span of forty-eight hours.” The shadows beneath the trees remained silent.

“It’s a shame you don’t appreciate my sense of humor. Laughing is quite cathartic.”

She rolled her eyes. “I wonder if your flaggerdoot would appreciate yourcleverinsults.”

“I doubt they’re intelligent enough to understand human conversation.” He ignored her icy glare, instead turning his attention to his backpack. “Although, they do seem smarter than I originally thought.”

“Of course they are.” She followed suit, shoving things haphazardly into her pack and carefully rolling her sleeping bag. “They mimic people’s voices. How is thatnota sign of intelligence?”

Nic paused and looked up at her, eyes wide. “Wait a minute, did you hear them mimic someone? I’ve always thought that was such an intriguing talent.”

Alexys swallowed against the fear that welled up at the memory of Elliot’s screams. “Yes, I did. They were …” Her voice trailed off and she looked down at her hands. Once again, covered in mud and forest debris. “They were using Elliot’s voice.”

Nic grimaced. “Were they? Well, that’s certainly an interesting development.”

She frowned at how fearless he seemed. Like it was an interesting discovery and not a near-death experience. In fact, he hadn’t even stopped to ask herwhyshe’d gone running out the cave like some sort of maniac.

“The one that ate my purse used your voice,” she said.

“Did it?” Nic stood a little taller. “I’ll consider that a compliment. Creatures who possess such talents don’t mimic just anyone’s vocal patterns, you know.” His smug smile said it all.

She rolled her eyes. “Right, you’re soveryspecial.”

“That said, it is disturbing to know that creature was following us, listening in on our conversations, long enough to mimic my voice,” he murmured. “Flattering, yes, but also disturbing.”

“Do you think it means Elliot’s alive, that we’ll find him? They have to hear someone to mimic them, right?” She tried not to consider what the mimicking actually meant, and that he’d been screaming, and instead focus on the fact that she’d heard his voice at all. He had to be alive. Hehadto be.

“He might be, yes,” Nic said gently. “We can’t be sure how long ago they heard his voice in order to mimic it. There’s no available data on Jackalope’s ability to retain vocal patterns for specific lengths of time.”