Pay for yourself—and your friends—to keep the tents, the Airstreams, wherever each person is staying, for two nights in the middle of your stay because it’s convenient, even when you’ve gone off to camp in the Underground and aren’t at the resort.
I walk almost silently along the path to where she’s staying. The smell of sage is strong and clean. My old running shoes are so worn-in that I can feel the stones underneath my feet.
I’m not going to go full Goldilocks and sleep in anyone’s bed, but there are things you can do and things you can learn while the guests are away. If you’re careful.
I’mverycareful.
I glance over my shoulder but there’s no one about. Not a soul stirring.
I take a deep breath and lift my hand to the door. I don’t love doing this, but I don’t hate it either. It is what it is. When you grow up without having any money or power, you take it where you can.
And early morning, right now, is the best time for sneaking in.
I’m not talking when the light is up. I’m talking before that. The time when most of the world thinks it’s still the end of the last day, but the animals and I know—it’s not anymore.
It’s the beginning of a new one.
14
HOPE
THEY’RE UP BEFORE THEmen, and they pack quietly and hike out early. It feels like they’re getting away with something, sneaking off without saying goodbye. No one says much until they’ve put some distance between themselves and the men.
“So what do you think?” Caro asks, pulling a granola bar from her pack without missing a beat. She’s leading out, her long-legged stride setting the pace. “Did we learn anything last night?”
“Unclear,” Ash says.
“I think we did,” Hope says. She’s a bit out of breath and hoping that the other two don’t notice. “Whether any of it’s useful, who knows.”
“I learned that you can imitate my accent.” Caro is always so nonplussed, so stoic and chill about life, but Hope detects an edge of hurt in her voice.
“I wasn’t imitating you,” Hope says. “I was imitating them.”
Caro doesn’t respond. Hope can’t see the expression on her face. Is Caro offended?
“It was interesting to see you make up a character on the spot.” Ash is either oblivious or trying to change the subject. “And you gave those guys your Chastity Bentley name.”
“Yeah,” Hope says. “I thought I’d keep things consistent.” The morningair is cool. She has goose bumps, even though she’s wearing a fleece, unlike the other two women, who are getting by with only long-sleeved shirts.
“Makes total sense,” Ash says. “We’ll have to remember to call you that around them if we see them again.”
“I hope we don’t,” Caro says. “See them again. Except Spencer, of course.”
“What did you think of his revelation, Caro?” Ash jogs a few steps to catch up with Caro. “Be honest. Did you sort of know?”
“No,” Caro says. “I really didn’t.”
“I don’t like Tony.” Ash’s brow is furrowed. “Do you think he’s dangerous?”
“Potentially,” Caro says reflectively. “He definitely has a temper.”
“I’m beginning to wonder if we really thought this whole thing through,” Ash says.
They all fall silent. And Hope gets it. Even though she’s the one who had the idea, there are moments when her confidence that they’ll be able to pull it off flags. She’s careful to keep those moments from Ash and Caro, though.
“Do you think we’ll have campsites near each other again?” Ash asks Caro.
“We’ll have to see.” Caro glances up, checking the sky. Hope follows suit. Still blue. “I didn’t talk to any of them about it.”
