Free Reborn by Tara Brown

making the cold hate worse. She continues, “Meg would have been fine if she’d stayed beside me.”
     
    My lip quivers, “But Leo…”
     
    She nods, “Yup. Meg made the same decision you made. She saw something she wanted changed and she did it. That’s the world we live in. We give up our lives to save theirs, or we walk away and save ours.” Her eyes tear up. She presses a needle into my wound. I tense and moan. She speaks softly again, “At least you have always been true to who you are. When I found out I was different, I never told anyone. I could have saved you at the camps and I didn’t. I let them think you were the only different one.”
     
    Through clenched teeth, I mutter, “Trust me, we aren’t so different. I would have lied too, if I hadn’t been discovered.”
     
    Jake walks into the room. He leans against the wall, “You need to go get Leo. He’s hurt and needs to come in. He and Sarah are sitting out there in the dark.” His voice is cold. He turns and leaves after a second. “They’re pissed.”
     
    I nod, “I would be too.” She finishes and gives me some medicine, that she’s sure won't do anything for me because it’s expired.
     
    I walk out into the yard, past Will and Jake. I drop to my knees when I get to the pile of stones next to the rose bush.
     
    “We gotta go inside. It’s dangerous outside.”
     
    Sarah looks at me. Her cheeks are tear-stained and her eyes so puffy they barely open, “She was my best friend.”
     
    I nod, “I know.”
     
    She runs her hand through Leo’s fur, “What if that’s how it is now, we just die off one by one?”
     
    I shake my head, “I don’t know.” I want to lie, but the cold hate is stronger than me, and it doesn’t care if she’s scared.
     
    “Meg wanted them dead. All them ones who kill the kids.”
     
    I nod, “I know.”
     
    She puts a finger out, “You have to pinky swear that you'll kill them for her. Meg always made me pinky swear.” I wrap my finger around hers and she shakes it. “You kill them.”
     
    I nod, “Yes, ma’am.”
     
    She wipes her little face and nods, “Okay, me and Leo will come in.” She stands, and sure enough, he stands and follows her inside. I look at the grave, “Night, Meg.” My eyes lift to the stars. I imagine she is one of them. Anyone who would do something so brave as to save Leo with their life, is hero enough for a place in the sky.
     
    I stand and walk behind them to the house. Will wraps an arm around Sarah and carries her upstairs. I slap my leg at Leo. He tries to follow Sarah but I snap my fingers. He bows his head and walks with me to the kitchen. He’s still limping and holding that leg in the air.
     
    We get to the room. I pat the table, “Can you jump up?” I know he’s got to be at least as much as I weigh. There is no way I’ll get him on the table.
     
    Jake walks in, “You need some help?”
     
    I nod. Leo bares his teeth instantly. Jake gives him a look, “I need to put you on this table and you can bite me if you want to, but you’re going up there.”
     
    Leo snarls but Jake ignores it. He reaches around and grabs him. He places him on the table, getting nips and snorts from the huge timber wolf. I see a bit of blood on Jake’s arm. He doesn’t even flinch.
     
    Leo lies down on the table, looking uneasy. Star puts her hands up, “This you can handle. I’m not getting bit.”
     
    I stroke his face, “Hey, it’s me and you now.” He yawns and I nod, “Settle in.” I grab some scissors and cut back the tufts of fur. The bullet made a perfect hole through his leg. It missed the bone completely. I look at Jake, “Wanna pet him?”
     
    He laughs, “Yeah sure. He’s already done his worst.”
     
    I start the cleaning and look at Jake, “I’m sorry.”
     
    He shrugs, “You aren’t ever going to trust me or Will. I get why you don’t trust him, but me, I have never done anything but be your friend.”
     
    I nod, “I know and