Page 84 of Raised By Wolves

“How do you know my name?” Wendy asks.

But apparently that isn’t information Dunham feels like giving out right now. He says, “Kai, Holo, Wendy—let’s go.”

“We’ve been looking for them all night,” the chief yells. “You can’t just take them!”

“I can,” Dunham says. “And you’re going to watch me.”

I shake my head, remembering the way that black death trap buzzed over the trees. “No way. No way are we getting in that thing.”

“Unfortunately, you’re wrong,” Dunham says matter-of-factly. He strides over to me and the next thing I know, my hands are cuffed behind my back.

“What the hell? Am I under arrest?”

“Not necessarily,” he says. “Right now it’s just a safety precaution.” He gives my shoulder two quick pats. Like I’m a dog. “But you never know.”

“If we don’t give you the opportunity to resist, everything’s going to go a lot smoother,” Rollins says to me. Then he turns to the chief. “We’ll see you back at the station. In what, five hours or so? Enjoy your walk.”

“You asshole,” the chief says helplessly.

“Move out,” Rollins barks, and then he gives me a little shove.

I curse at him. But then I start walking.

The propellers start with a roar as we approach. Dust blasts my face, and the wind whips my hair into my cheeks so hard it stings. I duck down. Dunham nudges me forward again and then Rollins grabs me by the waist and lifts me into the helicopter. Dunham handles Holo and Wendy. Holo is pale with fear and fury. Wendy’s face is frozen in dread.

What the hell is going on?I want to yell.

But she won’t know the answer. And the FBI agents aren’t going to tell me.

With a horrifying shudder, the helicopter takes off. The pilot banks left and I go leaning toward Holo. Then the helicopter straightens and lifts. Every bone in my body’s rattling. We turn again—I lean again.

It’s a million times worse than a car ride. It’s the worst thingI’ve ever felt, and I once pierced my own eyelid with a stolen fish hook.

I think I’m going to throw up.

“I don’t feel good,” I shout.

The agents pretend they can’t hear me. Or maybe this death machine’s so loud that they really can’t.

The next wave of nausea builds on top of the first. My stomach twists. My eyes start to water.

I’mdefinitelygoing to throw up.

My throat clenches.

I can feel the bile rising up. It’s hot and it stings.

And I remember one of Wendy’s rules of the forest:Waste nothing. Use everything you have.

I can definitely do that.

I scoot as close as I can to Agent Dunham. I smile tearily at his smug, tanned face. And then I lean down and barf all over his gleaming black shoes.

CHAPTER 64

JUST ABOUT EVERY resident of Kokanee Creek turns up to watch us get pulled out of the helicopter and escorted into the police station. They stand with their arms crossed, heads nodding, like we’ve confirmed their worst suspicions about us again.I’ve done nothing wrong!I want to yell.

Actually, scratch that—I want to flip them off for making all their shitty assumptions. Unfortunately, I’m still in handcuffs.

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