"Prepare the van," I managed to say, my voice still rough but gaining some steadiness from having a clear objective. "I need to get that Device." The alien technology we'd been storing in the garage. We couldn't leave it behind for the Starakians to reclaim.
Rachel nodded understanding, slowly releasing me from the embrace.
She stood up carefully, her own exhaustion evident in the way she moved, and turned toward the camping van where the others waited.
"Ivy, can you help me look at the others?" Rachel called back. "They all lost consciousness from exhaustion and the Screamer's attacks. I'm worried about them."
Ivy was still looking at me with that steady, assessing gaze, as if she could see straight through whatever mask I was trying to construct. But after a moment, she nodded and followed Rachel toward the van, finally releasing my wrist.
