Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Mother

I send the others away as I help Duet clean up the remains. I'm at a loss what to do and a little shocked when she simply slides open the back door and uses her boot to kick the crusting over puddle and clothing out onto the tracks.

"Duet." I take her hand, turn her to me as she closes the door with another big smile. "Tell me about the Sick."

She shrugs, tries to pull away, but I need to know.

"Dunno," she says. "Made some Howls die like that. But not the Tek."

"They were immune?" Odd, but perhaps important.

Again she shrugs. "I'm hungry, Trio." Her good eye flickers from mine, then back before she leans in to me. "I kept them safe," she says, and I know she's not talking about Poppy and the puppies. "Will they be safe now without me?"

I wish I had an answer for her. "When this is over," I say, "we'll go back and make sure they are."

Duet nods, hugs me.