~ NYSSA
The new recruits sat in a circle in behind the pack house, sipping on bottles of beer and chattering loudly. They were still reeling off the excitement of finally becoming soldiers.
Jeremiah walked ahead of us, clearing his throat as soon as he was within earshot. They fell silent instantly, their spines straightening as they sat up in their chairs, watching him warily.
They clearly respected him, which was why Rowan had asked that he go with us for this.
"Where's Evelyn?" he asked.
There was silence for a long minute. They glanced between themselves sporting identical looks of worry and curiosity.
"We don't know," one of them said finally. "She refused our offer to join and we haven't seen her since."
"Maybe she stayed back," another one offered. "She barely leaves her room unless she needs to. I can call her—"
