The child's fingers were still wrapped tightly around mine as we stepped out from the alleyway.
His hand was small, clammy, and tense with the kind of panic that hadn't fully dissolved yet. Camille came jogging around the corner moments later, shopping bags in one arm, eyes wide.
"Rey? What the hell, you disappeared. I thought you'd gone full vanishing act."
I tilted my head down at the child as if telling her to watch the words she uses. He blinked up at her with wide eyes.
Camille's tone softened instantly. "Oh. Oh. Sweetheart, are you alright?"
He nodded hesitantly, then wiped his nose on the sleeve of his oversized hoodie. "I'm Charlie."
I crouched beside him again. "Nice to meet you, Charlie. I'm Reynard, and this is Camille."
His brow furrowed.
"You look... familiar," he said slowly. "Are you on the big building screens sometimes?"
Camille grinned. "Only when we're not being hunted by secret government factions."
I shot her a look.
