You taking me to the other kids?" he asked."There aren't any others," Daniel said. "We're the only ones who made it."Moreno laughed. "Right. That's sweet, protecting your buddies. Did you forget we have a source now? Little Nicky?""Ni-Nicole?" I said.Daniel glanced back at me, his look warning me not to fall for it so fast."We saw her get shot," I said."Um, yeah, tranquilizer dart. I'd have thought you would know about those, Miss Maya the animal doctor.""You expect us to believe you?""Ah, getting cynical. Can't blame you, under the circumstances, finding out your entire life is a lie. Not going to trust anyone now, are you?
In this excerpt from "The Calling" by Kelley Armstrong, the character Daniel reveals to Moreno that he and his group are the only survivors, contradicting Moreno’s assumption that there are other kids around. Moreno is dismissive and mocks Daniel’s attempts to protect his friends, flaunting his inside information about Nicole, nicknamed "Little Nicky." The exchange highlights the tension between hope and betrayal, as the characters grapple with their situation.
The dialogue progresses with Maya, shocked by the mention of Nicole, recalling her being shot but noting it was with a tranquilizer dart, indicating this situation isn't as clear-cut as it seems. Daniel’s warning glance suggests that trust is fragile among them. As the characters process their shared trauma, their skepticism comes to the forefront, showcasing how discovering painful truths has affected their ability to rely on one another.
