Feral → newt, tmr

Chapter 23: RightArm

Before Katherine can ask more, Sonya steps forward. “Where’s Vince?”

Vera gestures lazily to her right. “Somewhere over there, I think.”

“Who’s Vince?” Katherine asks, curiosity tugging at her.

Harriet answers without missing a beat. “He’s the one who decides if you get to stay.”

Minho snorts, crossing his arms as he surveys the camp. “I thought the Right Arm was supposed to be an army.”

A voice, deep and commanding, cuts through the conversation. “Yeah, we were. This is all that’s left of us. A lot of good people died getting us this far.”

A tall man with blond hair and a beard steps out from a nearby tent, his sharp gaze landing on the newcomers. He looks them over with an air of suspicion before turning to Harriet. “Who are they?”

“They’re Immunes,” Harriet replies, standing tall. “Caught ’em coming up the mountain.”

“Did you check ’em?” Vince’s tone is cold, distrustful.

Harriet points at Aris and Chris. “I know these guys. I trust them.”

Vince narrows his eyes, his voice low and skeptical. “Well, I don’t. Check ’em.”

Before anyone can respond, Brenda lets out a sharp gasp, her knees buckling as she collapses to the ground.

“Brenda!” Jorge is at her side in an instant, crouching down to hold her trembling form. “Brenda, talk to me!”

“I’m sorry,” Brenda whispers, her voice weak and trembling. Her body shakes violently, each breath coming in ragged gulps. “I’m sorry.”

Vince steps closer, his eyes narrowing as he catches sight of the dark bruise on her leg. He grabs her jeans and pulls them up, revealing the telltale bite mark of a Crank.

“Crank!” Vince yells, his voice filled with alarm. “We got a Crank!”

He pulls his gun, the metallic click of the safety releasing sending a chill through the group.

“No!” Katherine yells, instinct driving her forward. She pushes herself between Vince and Brenda, arms outstretched to shield her.

“Step back!” Vince barks, his gun unwavering.

“Listen!” Katherine pleads, her voice trembling but strong. “This just happened, okay? She’s not dangerous yet.”

“You shouldn’t have brought her here,” Vince snaps, his anger boiling over.

“We know,” Thomas interjects, stepping forward to stand beside Katherine.

“We let Cranks in here now, the safe haven doesn’t last a week!” Vince roars, his finger hovering over the trigger.

“Step back!”

Thomas holds his hands up, desperation etched into every line of his face. “We told her you could help! There’s got to be something you can do.”

Vince’s expression hardens. “Yeah, there is.” He cocks the gun, aiming directly at Brenda’s head. “I can put her out of her misery.”