The girls chatted excitedly as they approached the Eastern Marker. They had gone a few more rounds with Katrin's toy, and while they were certainly moving slower than they had on the way out, they were feeling good.

As they neared the bright orange pillar that showed the way back to the main road, Rafferty noticed something.

Someone was waiting for them.

Even in the dark, Rafferty knew who it would be.

"Where have you been?" hissed Trevor, keeping his voice low, as if he was afraid it would carry all the way back to Abbey.

"Out," said Rafferty.

"Doing what?" he demanded.

"How did you even know I was gone?" she asked.

"I got my hands on two of those amazing oatmeal cookies that Becka makes, the ones that taste even better when you're like 'how did she possibly even have time to make these?' and they were still warm, and I think 'you know who loves these cookies too?' and I walk into your room with the cookie, and I'm like 'Surprise!' and guess who's missing along with most of her gear? Guess who's missing, Rafferty?" Trevor rambled.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Rafferty took the opportunity to tuck her right hand behind her back during his diatribe, hoping he'd miss the fact that her knuckles were already starting to turn nasty colors.

"Where's the cookie?" asked Katrin.

"I was waiting a long time," Trevor snapped.

"Why is your hand behind your back? What's wrong?" he asked Rafferty.

"Nothing, I — ow!" she blurted out, as he grabbed her arm.

His face fell as he surveyed the damage.

"It's fine," she said.

He looked at her pointedly, and pressed down. She inhaled sharply, very sharply, but didn't let herself cry out again.

"I don't think it's busted. Luckily," Trevor said, leaning over to scrutinize the damage.

"What could you possibly have been doing?" he asked.

"Working," said Katrin.

Rafferty looked up, her eyes meeting Trevor's, and nodded in Katrin's direction.

What she said.

Trevor opened his mouth to continue the interrogation, Rafferty knew full well her Jack wasn't going to let this go until he had the full story, when they were interrupted.

"Good, Rafferty, you're here. I've been waiting forever."

Katrin's right elbow guard glowed bright blue, and Trevor whirled in the direction of the voice, reaching for his weapon.

Rafferty, unfortunately, recognized the voice.

"I must admit, Raffles, I'm a little disappointed you're sneaking out at night with someone who isn't me," said Vincent, emerging from the darkness.

Don't ever call me Raffles again.

"What the hell are you doing here? Were you spying on us?" Trevor asked angrily.

"I was waiting for Rafferty," Vincent replied. "Waiting isn't spying. Waiting is polite."

"What do you want?" Rafferty asked, annoyed, intrigued, and grateful for the distraction all at the same time.

"I need some help with a job. We should be back…" he paused, titling his hand back and forth "an hour after sunrise?"

"Can I come too?" asked Katrin.

"Absolutely, New Girl," Vincent said. He turned his eyes to Rafferty.

"New Girl's in," he continued.

"Absolutely not," said Trevor. "You're not sneaking out twice in one night. You're not even done sneaking out the first time. We're going back, and I'm going to tend to your hand, and—"

"We're in," said Rafferty, firmly.

"Perfect. Don't worry, Tarzan, you can come too," Vincent said to Trevor as he turned and walked back the way he had come.

Rafferty and Katrin looked at each other. For the second time that night, excitement flickered in Rafferty's chest, and she moved to follow Vincent.

"That's not my name," said an already resigned Trevor, trailing after his Hunter.