Chapter 27
After she left, I debated whether to tell Mason about Josie's strange behavior and the planned meeting. It could be a trap, but my instincts told me otherwise. I decided to hear Josie out first before involving others.
At nine o'clock, I slipped away from the main buildings and made my way to the old training facilities—a cluster of weathered wooden structures that had been superseded by the new training center. Behind the largest building, I found Josie already waiting, her posture defensive and alert.
We both remained standing at first, maintaining a cautious distance. The tension between us had a different quality than before—less hostile, more wary.
“I wasn't sure you'd come,” Josie said finally.
“I'm not sure why I did,” I replied honestly.
Josie reached into her jac
