“His mom plays bingo with Ruth, from the Oracle Council,” Veda recalls.
The investigators exchange a look.
“Another link,” Gabriel mutters. “We need to talk to him ourselves—quietly. He already doesn’t trust us. He hasn’t done anything wrong, so the last thing we need is this getting out and the commander sending the entire FCD after a Seer cursed to go mad if he tells a truth we don’t yet know.”
“And a lot of spell-happy investigators and bigots who’d love finding him,” Francisco adds, then turns back to Veda. “Think about my offer.”
“I won’t.”
Veda spends the next morning harvesting, the afternoon assembling orders for wholesale customers, and every spare minute in between completing payroll. She can’t risk idleness; it’s a one-way trip to anxiety. The Botanist’s arrival means years of wondering what will happen to her are finally approaching a conclusion. Good or bad, at least it’ll be over.
Before she knows it, the school day is ending, and it’s time to find Antaris. He’s in an empty classroom, staring at a piece of paper that looks like it’s been folded and unfolded multiple times.
“Hi.”
Antaris jolts, quickly shoving it into his pocket. Veda pretends not to notice. It’s their fifth session, and she’s learning more about him each day. He prefers the outdoors, always carries the same note, rarely eats his packed lunch, and usually finishes his workbook assignments before the school day ends.
He also likes choosing what they do. Today, he opts to sit on the steps and watch the chickens scuttle about in the pasture. It’s hard to decipher his mood, so Veda watches for signs of distress.
“How was your day?” she asks.
He startles again, as if he’s forgotten something. After rummaging through his pockets and the book bag between them, he finds the folded paper. Up close, Veda sees it’s fraying, but he covets it nonetheless. Antaris catches her looking and puts it back in his pocket.
“It’s not my business unless you want me to see.” Veda offers her finger. “I have something I need to do. Want to help me?”
Antaris taps twice.Yes.
She leads the way to the kitchens. Antaris looks around in awe. She offers him a strawberry as a test and is surprised when he accepts. While he eats, Veda gets an idea.
“What else do you like?” she asks. “Will you show me?”
The hesitance Antaris always carries is present, but after a reassuring thumbs-up, he explores the kitchen, not touching anything, only pointing, eyes wide, glancing at Veda. He’s asking for help.
As it turns out, Antaris likes a lot of food.
Veda finds a pen and paper to make a list, but from what she gathers, he enjoys fresh fruit, crunchy vegetables, and sandwiches with no crusts. Unsurprisingly, he has a sweet tooth, but is more curious about candy than familiar with it. She hides a smile when he makes faces at food that touches, even incidentally. He’s not the only child who dislikes anything mashed or is picky about meat, but his squinty side-eyes make it hard to not laugh.
With each nod, Antaris’s list grows alongside her spirits. It’s strange how time with him has become a balm after long days. Stranger still is how quickly the lights dim in his eyes when his grandmother arrives. Veda hands the list to Simran, ready to share the success of the day, but Simran simply skims the paper, makes a dismissive noise, and pockets it. It might have been athank you.
Veda watches them leave, frowning all the way to the greenhouse. The image of a stone-faced child glancing back at her once before climbing into the car plagues her until a voice cuts through the quiet.
“I thought you’d be out here.”
Thoughts scatter in all directions. She whips her head to Peter. “You scared me.”
“Sorry,” he says, sheepish. “I saw Simran leave with Antaris and thought you’d come back here. After last night, I’d suggest taking the day off, because I can tell you didn’t sleep, but you’ll ignore me. Or cuss me out ... again.”
She considers both options but is too tired for either. “My thoughts are loud today.”
Peter steps back as she stands up. “Come with me.”
“The last time I followed you, I ended up with a mentee.” Still, she dusts off her hands on her jeans and follows him into the pasture.
“Everything going okay with Antaris?”
“Each day I learn something new,” Veda replies, rattling off what she’s learned, including the food list and how he likes being read to. “He was the only one who actually sat and listened during story time.”
“There’s no doubting genetics.” When she gives Peter a funny look, he adds, “His dad was that way, too, always had his nose in a book. He shipped his entire library separately when they moved here. I think he values it more than his clothes.”
