Page 36 of Healer's Call

“Wisconsin.”

“How do you like Florida?” That’s from Jacob.

“It’s nice.”

“Have you seen any alligators yet?” Jacob asks.

I stop. “Alligators?”

They both grin. “Yeah,” Daniel says. “They’re everywhere down here.”

I look between the two of them. “Are you teasing?”

They laugh. “No. Seriously, we get alligators everywhere down here,” Jacob says.

My face pales. “It’s okay,” Daniel rushes to say. “Just stay away from the water sources, and you should be fine.”

My eyes are still wide. “What do you do if you see one?”

“Run.”

“But not in a zig-zag fashion. That’s old advice.”

“You just run fast.”

“But if it catches you, don’t let it drag you into the water.”

My eyes widen at each new thing they say until they’re both laughing. “Your face.”

“Can I just carry a gun?” I ask, totally serious.

They both try to keep their expressions straight. “You have a gun?” Jacob asks casually.

“No.”

“Do you know how to shoot a gun?” Daniel asks.

“No.”

Jacob bites his lip. “Maybe just stick to running.”

By this time, we’re to my apartment. “Okay. Well, I won’t be getting any sleep tonight. Thank you.” They laugh like I’m hysterical. “Okay. Bye.” I step inside and close the door behind me, making a mental note to look up how to run from alligators and not get eaten as soon as possible. I’m not sure about this Florida thing. I’m deep in research on alligators when somebody knocks on my door. I open it to Sam and Ava. “Did you know that alligators can climb trees?” I ask in a rush.

Sam raises her eyebrows. “Hello to you too.”

I grimace. “Sorry. Come on in. Where’s Wyatt?”

“He’s with Alpha Cade. Now, why do you know that alligators can climb trees? And is that true? Because if it is, that’s amazing,” Sam says.

“And terrifying because then there’s no way to escape them,” I tell her.

“Is that something you feel you’re going to be doing?” she asks in confusion.

“There are alligators everywhere in Florida,” I explain as she and Ava sit. “And they want to drag you into the water with them. If one comes after you, you just run. They can only run about ten miles per hour. Don’t run in a zig zag line; that’s antiquated advice. Just run straight but run fast. And whatever you do, don’t climb a tree.”

Samantha and Ava stare at me with wide eyes. “Okay, then,” Samantha finally says. “I hit my alligator knowledge quotient for today.”

“This is a real thing down here,” I tell her but look at Ava. “We need to be prepared.” Ava looks about as thrilled about the idea as I do.

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