Chapter 77: Drew

He is different, but it is clearly Drew. Gone are his shining glasses, the braces that once sparkled in his mouth. Reid

has a mental flash of the boy transforming, his shark teeth sprouting to reject the flimsy metal brackets, nothing left

of them when he returned to his natural form. He's lean as well, and it looks to Reid like he's grown a few inches, but

it's him, it's definitely him.

Reid is about to reach for him when Drew's eyes meet his and flash a warning. Reid pulls himself together immediately.

His young friend is right, of course. Any sign of weakness here and he might as well lie down and let them kill him right

now.

Joel isn't about to take that kind of order from Drew anyway.

"Mind your own business, pudge," Joel says. Like that nickname was ever funny. And certainly no longer applies.

Drew's shoulders are thrown back, his once apple cheeks thin and harsh as he scowls at the bully.

"I am," Drew says. "I'm minding my leader."