Page 75 of (Mostly) Human Resources

Alexys bit her tongue. She’d worked with Nic long enough to know that the only thing that he loved more than arguing (usually with her) was research.

She prepared herself for what she imagined would be a list of intrusive, thoughtless questions, all in the name of research. She wasn’t sure he would have the mindfulness to treat Waylan like the child he was—er,used to be—but he showed a surprising amount of empathy. Especially when he realized that Waylan wasn’t fully aware of his status as a Haint.

“So, Waylan,” Nic started. His voice took on a lofty, professional tone that drew her focus back to their conversation. “I haven’t hiked through these woods before.”

“I can tell,” Waylan interrupted with a cheeky grin.

Nic chuckled. “Right, but you’re clearly an expert. I bet you know every tree around here.”

“Pretty much.” Waylan hooked his thumbs into his overalls, and his walk gained some swagger. “I know it better thananybody.”

Nic’s expression was contemplative as he watched Waylan sidestep a mess of flora. It was a measuring look, like he was carefully weighing his next words before he spoke them. That expression made her nervous. She tried to swat at his shoulder and tell him to back off, but he kept stepping easily out of reach each time.

“Do you usually play alone?” Nic asked.

“Yeah, but that’s okay.” Waylan shrugged. “Nobody comes out here.”

“I see. Is that why our friend stuck out to you? Because you don’t see many people?”

“Uh huh,” Waylan said with a frown. “It’s hard makin’ friends when nobody’s ever around.

Alexys felt a pang of guilt. She knew he was a ghost, and she knew what he was capable of, but he was still just a kid, and trapped in a purgatory loop or not, his existence had to be a hard one. It was almost impossible for her to reconcile the little boy in front of her with the evil spirit from the other night.

“But,” Waylan went on, “that means I notice everybody that comes through, like you guys.”

“So, no one else aside from us and our friend?” Nic asked, carefully nudging the conversation along in the direction they needed. Alexys scowled.

What was he fishing for?

Waylan flipped round and started walking backward ahead of them, completely absorbed in answering Nic’s question. Alexys offered up a reassuring smile.

“Umm, there’s a really rude lady that shows up near the creek sometimes. She doesn’t like kids.” Anger flickered across his face, and her heart clenched. “She’s meaner’n a snake, that one. Not my fault I’d never seen hair that red before. Bit my head off when I asked if it was real.”

“I hope you haven’t seen her around recently?” Alexys asked, finally joining in the discussion.

He shook his head, still frowning. “No, not in a long time. Not since …” An odd light flashed through Waylan’s eyes, and his expression went slack.

Alexys froze. She reached out for Nic, instinctively, and his worried expression mirrored her own.

“Waylan,” Alexys said gently. “Waylan, are you alright?” Her voice was merely a whisper.

Sunset was hours and hours away. They should have more than enough time before Waylan went to the dark side.

Unless Silas lied to her.

She didn’t want to believe she was that gullible, but taking the word of a stranger, especially one as enigmatic as Silas, was probably the dumbest thing she could’ve done, and that was really saying something. Silas had claimed he wanted to keep her alive, but there was no way she could fully trust a man that stalked her, happened to materialize places he shouldn’t have been able to, and made her blood run cold every time they met.

“Waylan?” Nic asked. Alexys had his arm in a vice.

At least she stood a chance if she sacrificed Nic first, right?

Waylan shook his head like a dog shakes off water, and whatever strange energy had fogged his eyes dissipated. He beamed up at them. “Those cicadas sure are screamin’, huh?” He bounced away down the path.

Alexys looked warily at Nic, who shrugged.

“Relax,” he said under his breath. “And, sorry, but do you mind?” He placed his hand over hers and the contact sent a tiny electric shock. She let go of his arm. “Thanks. I’d like to keep that, might prove handy if we encounter the Hollow Walker.” She knew he was only teasing, but it didn’t register.

He shrugged and followed after Waylan, picking up another conversation as they went.