“River!”
“I said slightly!”
We stay quiet for a while, and I no longer feel the tension between us. Truth is, I’m lucky to be here with him and not have to worry about wild animals, sudden attacks by Raiders, or going hungry. It’s easy to take him for granted because he never acts as if he’s doing you a favor or expecting a thank you, but I am deeply thankful for having him.
“Do you know where we are?” I ask. “I’m completely lost.”
“Mother is helping me navigate. She says we’re not far from Molly’s Burgers.”
“You took me there once. Can we send a message to Unity from there? Maybe they have some radio equipment that I can use.”
River thinks before he nods. “They might have that there, and if not, they can pass over a letter like Josh once did.”
“How long until we get there?”
“If I carry you—”
“No.”
“Almost two days.”
“Okay, we’ll leave early tomorrow morning.” I stand up and offer him my hand. “I’d like for you to play the harmonica tonight.”
He shakes his head, heaviness in his eyes. “It will make me think of Josh.”
“Aren’t you already thinking of him?”
He sighs. “True.”
We return to our makeshift camp, where Timothy has already arranged the two sleeping bags we got from the settlement we visited. I sit on mine and cross my legs as River sits on the otherside of the fire and begins to play, his music as sad as I expected it to be.
I think of Caden, telling myself he’s been fighting Raiders for his entire adult life. He just needs to hold on until we can find a way to rescue him and Josh. But it’s easier said than done, and I can’t ignore what I know about the Raiders’ cruelty. Once Dino and Unity hear about the king’s betrayal, things will likely move faster, but even that can take months. What will remain of Caden and Josh’s sanity by then?
“Finn,” Timothy says quietly, while River keeps playing. “Look.”
I follow his gaze, though I see nothing but trees and… can it be? “It’s the same one,” I whisper, my heart beating faster. “The same one I saw at the palace.”
“I saw it too when we walked to the ball.”
River stops playing and follows our gaze as we watch the king’s turquoise iguana.
“Hello, pretty lizard,” River says, and I realize he didn’t notice it at the palace.
The iguana’s amber eyes are locked with mine. “You’re following us,” I say. “Did the king send you here, or was it Hector?”
I get no reply, but I dosensethat this iguana can understand me, and I wonder if anyone else can hear me through it. I’ve seen enough crazy shit to believe it’s possible.
“Do you know this lizard?” River asks.
“It was in the palace. I’m sure it’s the same one that belongs to the king.”
River stands up. When the iguana starts to turn, he says, “You can’t outrun me. Don’t try.”
The iguana turns back to face us. “Can you understand me?” I ask, and it replies with a single nod. “Can Hector hear us right now?” Another nod. “Do you have Caden and Josh?” The iguana shakes its head. I ask instead, “Willyou have Caden and Josh?” The iguana nods, and I can swear I see a taunting smile on its thin lips.
“Can we negotiate a deal for getting them back?” I ask.
The iguana shakes its head.
