I realized I’d never asked Jason his last name. He was always Jason, from Omaha.
“Blake. Thad Blake. Whistler, British Columbia. Near Vancouver.”
He nodded, and I squeezed his shoulder before I let go. “You’re the best Spotter I’ve ever met. You’ll make it.”
“So will you,” he said. Still fierce, only now he sounded desperate.
“Hey,” I said as he turned away. “Don’t forget the grizzly.”
“I won’t forget,” Jason said quietly.
“I know,” I said, feeling sad and empty and pissed all at once. “Thanks.”
Jason walked away, releasing his spear from his belt. He said something to Miya, who turned to me. She bowed slightly, then lifted one hand in farewell. Then Jason took her hand, and together they disappeared into the trees.
I realized I’d forgotten to wave back. Maybe I’d nodded reflexively, but right now I was too far in my own head to be sure of anything, especially common courtesy.
Rives was gathering tinder. Charley sat another ten meters away, out of whisper range, unpacking our food. Looking at the meager spread, it seemed fitting. There wasn’t enough food for three people to last another day; there was barely enough for two. But this Search ended tomorrow, and regardless of how the end played out, I knew that by the end of tomorrow, this team would be short a mouth.
Mine.
“Rives.” My voice was low.
He looked up. “Yeah, bro?”
“Listen.” I paused, swallowing, not sure how to say what I had to say. “I sent Jason and Miya back.”
Rives rose, his face resolute. “You want me to bug out.”
“No.” I shook my head, then glanced at Charley. She was slicing redfruit, her hair swirling around her shoulders, shielding her face. I looked back at Rives.
“I want you to stay. But I have a favor to ask. Two, actually.”
CHAPTER
60
CHARLEY
DAY 98, NIGHT
Please don’t give up. Please don’t give up. Please don’t give up.
Because I feared he already had.
One second I was freaking out, then I’d turn mad, then hopeless and then bitter. It was a continuous loop of desperation, and I was stuck smack in the middle, alone—because even though I lay curled beside Thad, he felt far away. A secret lay between us now, and I hated it.
My mind flashed back to the conversation I’d overheard with Rives. Thad had kept his voice low, but my mom always claimed I had hearing like Superman, and she wasn’t kidding. Although I couldn’t see their faces, I’d heard every word.
I have a favor to ask. Two, actually, Thad had said.
Rives hadn’t hesitated.Anything. You name it.
Okay.Thad had paused. Tomorrow I want you to stay with us, but hang back. Give us space, but stick around, eh?
Not a problem, Rives had answered.I’m your wingman. There’d been a smile in his voice.What’s number two?
If I—Thad had stumbled here—if tomorrow doesn’t work out likeI hope, I want you to look out for Charley. I don’t want her to bury me—NO! I’d wanted to jump up and shake him, screaming, DON’T GIVE UP! but I’d been frozen to the rock, redfruit juice dripping off my knife like blood—and I need to know someone’s watching her back after I’m gone.
