187. (KNOX POV)

(KNOX POV)

"We found him."

The delta's voice crackled over the radio, and everything around me seemed to freeze.

Still, I couldn't fully relax. I needed to see him with my own eyes. Needed to know he was safe.

"Where?" I shouted into the radio, desperation pushing my voice louder than intended.

"By the pond," came the reply. "He's just sitting there, Knox. You need to get down here."

I didn't wait for more information. I shifted and sprinted through the woods, driven by the overwhelming need to reach him. My heart raced, thoughts spiraling through every possible scenario. The idea of him being out there all alone and the what-could-have-happened scenarios if we hadn't found him made me sick to my stomach.

Seeing him nearly brought me to my knees as I reached the pond. He was perched on a large rock, his little legs swinging back and forth like he hadn't just scared us all half to death. Relief hit me so hard that I almost stumbled, but I kept moving.

"Oxxy!" I called out, rushing tow