Gabe’s eyes widen at my words as though he just had a new idea and I nod at him.

“Yep. Paxton and the raider guy both answer to this Shadowface. Anyway, expect Paxton to have you exile your newcomers soon. He’s going to want you to take them to a place called Secure Transportation, you know of it?”

Gabe nods, staring now into the bed of the truck.

“Now, I don’t know about these people that came into Crestwood, but I know that I would already trust them better than I would that bandit scum. He’s probably going to kill them out there.”

Gabe looks at me, a serious look on his face. “How long have you been able to…”

“A long while now,” I say. “It just sort of happened one day. It’s weird, but it comes in handy.” I reach out and grab Gabe’s hand. “If I can find out something about Paxton’s daughter, then I will be back in Crestwood and we can figure all this out together. Otherwise…” I lean in and kiss him on the cheek - one that says our friendship has been great, but I probably won’t ever see you again. When I pull away, I can’t tell if Gabe has a bit of water in his eyes, but I don’t linger on the stare.

“Be careful,” I say, taking a step away from him. “This seems like the kind of thing where you could get way in over your head. It doesn’t seem safe.”

“I’ll be okay,” he says. “Paxton trusts me. It’s you that needs to be careful.”

I grin at him and look all around me with a shrug. “This is the life I’m used to. The past three months have been nice, but probably too good to be true.”

“There are other places, I’m sure,” he says.

“You just take care of Crestwood,” I say.

I turn my back to him and begin walking down the winding road. When I’m about a hundred paces away, I listen for Gabe.

Can you hear me speak to you now? he asks.

I keep walking, my head down as the wind hits me.

We will meet again, Remi, he says. Paxton may have placed a wedge between us now, but not forever. I have loved getting to know you. I love being around you. I love you.

I try not to let my head turn, but I give myself away only slightly. Then I keep walking - just as I always do. There’s no place for love, no time to get involved, to become close. More than likely, I’ll be dead soon. Love is just too painful. I should know this better than anyone. I’m not going to let it happen again.