The sun had already dipped behind the tall trees when Leon, Dwayne, and Flint finally returned to the village. Their clothes were dirty, torn, and stained with dried blood. Their eyes were tired, and their steps slow, but there was something else in them too—relief.
They had done it.
The mimic, the thing that had killed their friends and worn the face of someone they once trusted, was gone. It wouldn’t hurt anyone anymore. The nightmare was finally over.
As the three walked past the edge of the village, the first one to meet them was Kieran. He was standing still, tense, fists clenched at his sides. His eyes found Leon’s immediately.
Without a word, Kieran stormed forward.
His fist met Leon’s face.
“You disobeyed my order!” Kieran shouted, his voice full of anger and hurt.
“I warned
