“Where were you when the announcement sounded?” She pulled a small notebook and a pen from her pocket.

“I was,” I paused. She was glaring at me. Already accusing me of something I didn’t do.

“You were?” She rolled the pen in the air to get me to continue.

“In the locker room. With Simon.” I pointed to her.

“Do you always share a room with her?” She raised an eyebrow at me.

“Yes.” I didn’t see how that would be a problem, or even related to this situation at all.

At my height, towering above her, I could see her notebook. It was filled with small scribbled drawings, no real notes to speak of. Rude, superior, and overall unpleasant personality quickly over wrote my first impression.

“Did you know the deceased?” She returned to her questions.

Strange how she said deceased.

“I didn’t know the victim.” No waver in my voice.

I could have got over most of her attitude but she rolled her eyes at my response.

“Demons can’t be victims, it’s only murder if a human dies. Otherwise, it’s all just unfortunate circumstance.” Her voice was so steady, she truly believed that. “You’re not a Sympathizer, are you?”

My teeth ached from the sharpness of her reply. “No of course not.” I know what happens to those who admit that they are.

“Well, you obviously didn’t do it.” She chewed at her pen. “You can return and send one of the others over. I appreciate your cooperation.” She hesitated to reach her hand towards me and gestured for more.

It took me a second to figure it out. “Rune.” I accepted her hand against mine and felt a spark travel through my body.

“What an unusual name.” She hid a small cough of a laugh.

“And you?” Honestly, I almost didn’t want to know anymore.

She waved me off.

"Not big on courtesy, are you?" I tried to ask nicely, but I know it didn't come out that way.

"Neither are you." She sneered. "If you have to know, it's Riley."

Riley. I’d never gone from liking someone to being turned off by their very presence until her, and yet, a piece of me clung to her as I walked away.

“She wants to talk to you now.” I sent Brooke first.

“Oh boy." Brooke rolled her eyes.

Like all Scavengers, the three of us didn’t get along with Militia. Brooke took her time walking to Riley and obviously annoyed her doing it. I sat back down next to Simon and leaned close to her.

“How was it?” Simon whispered.

“That right there is a soldier through and through. If she knew about me she would have pulled out her gun and shot me right there.” I shivered.

“Hmm yeah, she’s pretty though.” Simon nudged me.