Page 55 of (Mostly) Human Resources

As fate would have it, they did survive the first two hours, and theeightthat followed, but the jar throwing was quickly forgotten in the face of humidity, bloodthirsty mosquitoes, and intolerable company.

“You’re absolutely insufferable,” Alexys spat out for what was probably the fifth time. She bent over, hands on her knees, and tried to will away the spots darkening her vision. “I don’t think I’ve ever hated you more than I do at this moment.”

“Should I take that as a compliment?” he called back to her. He had a map open in front of him, an old, yellowed one he’d borrowed from Opal which was admittedly more useful than the jarred finger bone she’d been given. “I’m not even trying to make you hate me. It’s just effortless.”

Her head snapped up, and she scowled. “So making me hate youisthe goal. I’m pretty sure that qualifies as a toxic work environment.”

Nic rolled his eyes, but the teasing smile was still there. “Don’t go HR on me now, Keane. It’ll ruin all my fun.”

Alexys thought of herGet Dyre Firedfolder in her email and smiled to herself.

“Technically, this isn’t a work environment.” He gestured to the endless rows of trees in every direction. “It’s more like a field trip.”

Her smile vanished. She hated the way he said the wordtechnically. Always so eager to correct her. “See this,” she said and gestured between them, “is why no one at the office likes your department. It’s semantics.” She already knew Nic and all the researchers believed themselves intellectually superior, but the face he made—one eyebrow raised, the corner of his lips turned up in a slanted smile—confirmed that he did, in fact, believe he was better than everyone else. Rather than say so, he let out a breath that closely resembled a laugh. If she had any strength left, she’d hurl a branch at the back of his stupid, perfectly tousled hair.

They bickered like that for hours, all the while Alexys thought her legs, or her lungs, might give out. Nic, in true Nic fashion, neverbroke a sweat. They’d stopped once just after midday for a snack, and Alexys felt her heel beginning to blister.

Perfect.

They carried on, Nic leading them deeper and deeper into the forest, checking his map and compass every so often to correct their trajectory. The reminder of how poorly she’d done the day before further soured her attitude.

Why hadn’tshethought to ask Opal for a map?

“We should aim to cover more ground over the next few hours before nightfall.” Nic turned to give Alexys an apologetic shrug. “There are a few abandoned cabins near the mine, we can make camp there.” Alexys wanted to protest but she bit her tongue. “Spit it out, Keane, I can feel you ruminating away.”

Whatever retort she was preparing was lost as an eerily familiar silence settled over the woods. Not a bird chirp, not a cicada cry, not a breeze. It felt like someone had thrown a weighted blanket overhead, oppressive and heavy. Goosebumps rose up along her spine, her arms.

Nic turned back, started to say something, but Alexys held up a hand to silence him. She knew what would happen next. Their eyes locked, and then it came.

A whistling.

It carried through the trees, just as bone-chilling and haunting as the first time she’d heard it. Unnaturally low in pitch and far too loud.

It sounded too close for comfort—behind them, in front of them, all around them.

When the whistle faded, they just stared at each other. Both unsure what to say, both aware of what that sound foretold.

There was no getting around it. Night was coming. And with it, the Hollow Walker.

Suddenly, the woods ahead of them felt watchful.

Dusk settled, casting dark shadows, playing tricks on their eyes. Alexys couldn’t shake the feeling that something waited for them, crouched behind the trees, ready to hunt.

“That was a whistle, wasn’t it?” Nic’s enthusiastic expression was an immediate red flag.

“Yes?” Alexys squinted at him. “Why do you look soexcitedabout it?”

“Because that means we’re in the right place.” Nic beamed. He set off with his compass in hand, his strides determined and confident. “Let’s go, Keane. We’ve got a creature to find!”

“Excuse me? Don’t you meanan employee?” She trudged after him, swatting at the thousandth mosquito that tried to eat her. “So much for being safe!” she called after his retreating form.

He threw his arms up in an exaggerated shrug but kept walking. “The monsters will be here whether we continue or not, Keane. I’m sure we’re going to be seeing—and hearing—far worse before this rescue mission’s over. Might as well get used to it.”

Alexys tipped her head back and inhaled a deep breath. She closed her eyes just long enough to whisper to herself, “Can’t never could.”

It was a balm to her fear, albeit a small one, as she looked back at Nic.

His gaze found hers, and his eyes lit up. “Are you coming?”