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Puck’s eyes widen, his breath catching. That… that kid looks like…

He can hardly believe what he’s seeing. After all this time… to just stumble on her like this?

His thoughts tumble over themselves. No—no, it’s not possible!

He studies her, pulse quickening. Like a human version of… but that hair… that face… that mindless love of snack foods…

He grimaces. Those ears. Oof. Genetics can be cruel.

For a long moment he stares, frozen between shock and disbelief. Twenty years of searching… I can’t afford not to find out.

He grabs the edge of the fence and hauls himself upward, pushing through a tear in the mesh. The girl startles, calling out. “What—? What are you doing?!”

Puck glances back over his shoulder. “Sorry! Go ahead without me! Just take my bag!” He tosses it to her, landing it at her feet."I’ll meet you at the base!"

She gapes at him. “Where are you going? What the hell am I supposed to tell my boss?!”

He’s already halfway over the fence. “Just tell him… something came up!”

Puck drops down hard on the other side, crouching as the dust rises. His voice comes quieter, almost giddy. “Call it… an unexpected research opportunity.”

Puck stares, frozen. His eyes widen as recognition hits him like a blow.

“That… that kid looks like… After all this time… to just stumble on her like this? No… it’s not possible…”

His gaze lingers, frantic. “But that hair… that face… that mindless love of snack foods… like a human version of—” He falters, swallowing hard. Then he makes a face. “…Those ears. Oof. Genetics can be cruel.”

He grips the fence, breath quickening. “Twenty years of searching… I can’t afford not to find out!”

Without warning, he begins to climb. His escort stares, alarmed. “What…? What are you doing?!”

Puck calls back over his shoulder. “Sorry! Go ahead without me! Just take my bag! I’ll meet you at the base!”

She throws up her hands. “Where are you going?! What the hell am I supposed to tell my boss?!”

Puck drops down on the other side of the fence, crouched and determined. “Just tell him something came up. Call it… an unexpected research opportunity.”