“I’m serious,” she said.
“So am I.”
For a long moment, the only sound was leaves crunching to dust under our sandals.
Then she stopped and looked straight at me. “Do you know anyone who’s made it out? I mean someone you know personally, Thad, not just someone you heard about?”
“Yes,” I said softly. “I do. I promise there’s hope, Charley.” Because I knew that was what she was asking.Is there a chance? Or am I screwed?“For all of us.” This time I wasn’t sure whether my words were for her or for me.
She nodded.
“So tell me about your family,” I said, desperate for a change of subject. “Is your sister older or younger?”
“Older. By ten months.” As Charley spoke, the words rolled off her tongue like sugar. I’d never met anyone like Charley, not on Nil, not anywhere. Her long legs matched mine stride for stride, and I liked that, too. I wondered if she liked to run.
She’d better, Nil laughed.
In that moment, I knew Nil had made her move and that now she was playing dirty. Because as much as I hated Nil, I liked Charley more, and I couldn’t wait to know her better.
But I was leaving.
Nil says go. Nil says stay. Nil was totally screwed up, or maybe that was me.
Charley had stopped talking.
“What were you saying about Em?” I asked, moved to fill the sudden silence.
Her head was tilted to the side. “Is that breakfast? Something smells delicious.”
“Definitely. I’m guessing roast fish, warm pineapple. It’s a break from yesterday’s roast fish and warm pineapple.” Smiling, I stole another look at Charley. She looked hesitant, almost nervous. I watched her lift her chin, like she was steadying herself.
“Hey,” I said, drawing her golden eyes. They were almost level with mine, another hot Charley-fact. But they were guarded, like when I’d first met her.
“I know it’s weird, coming into the City. Meeting people. Like a roller coaster of new. But don’t forget, everyone’s been in your sandals. If you want, I’ll stick close. Be your personal island guide.” I grinned.
Just say yes.
CHAPTER
14
CHARLEY
DAY 13, MID-MORNING
“Okay,” I said. “I’ve always wanted my very own island guide.” I was just happy I didn’t say islandgod, which is what I was thinking.
Then I smelled a wave of something yummy, and all I could think wasfood.
The fire ring hummed with action. Fish hung across the coals, and green cabbage-like leaves lay stacked in piles to one side. People milled around, maybe a dozen. Guys wore no shirts, showing off decent physiques, but most were on the thin side. One looked almost skeletal. The girls were similarly trim. Clearly the island diet was a hard-core weight loss plan, especially when you threw in the physical demands necessary to survive. Most girls wore wrap skirts like mine, and almost all had a cloth wrapped around their chest like I’d done with Kevin’s bandana. One girl had a halter like me, tied the same way, which was a relief. I’d never cared much about clothes, but that didn’t mean I wanted to wear them backward either.
Thad put his fingers in his mouth and whistled. As all heads turned toward us, he called, “Morning, everybody. Meet Charley.”
I felt like the new kid being introduced in the middle of the school year.
“As some of you know,” Thad was saying, “she found Kevin’s clothes. She’s been here thirteen days.”
Feeling all eyes on me, I automatically waved and smiled. “Hi, y’all.” Heads nodded, faces smiled. I recognized the girl who’d been under the cheetah quilt, Natalie. She waved back.
