“Sometimes people want to spend their last days alone,” I said quietly.
“Like Kevin,” Charley said, her eyes on mine.
“Like Kevin.”
For a second it was just me and Charley and the God-awful tick-tock in my brain.
Jason broke into our world. “Quan’s so upset he didn’t talk the entire way back. I’m worried, man. What if he leaves the City now that Li’s gone?”
“Quan?” Charley frowned. “Who’s Quan?”
“Li’s shadow,” I explained. “Problem is, Quan doesn’t speak a word of English, and his vision sucks.”
“Li talked for him,” Jason added.
“And his vision’s bad?” Charley’s expression turned horrified.
“Yup,” Jason said. “He’s fast, but blind as a bat. He almost walked into a ravine once. You know, the whole glasses-don’t-come-through-the-gate thing.”
“So because Li’s gone, Quan might not make it either?” Charley asked, unable to shake the look on her face. “How long does he have?”
“I’m not exactly sure,” I said. “He showed up a few months after me. Where’s Nat?”
“Over there.” Jason pointed to the firepit, where two rabbits hung over the fire. Upwind of the smoke, Natalie stood with Jillian and Talla. Nat’s hands moved so fast they blurred.
Natalie’s group was not the only one with extra intensity. An electricity crackled in the air, potent and familiar. The people changed, but the vibe never did; it slicked in with the return of the last Search team, the one that came back short a member but without word of a gate. The City hung on edge, waiting. For news of Li… for new teams to head out… for change, because that was the one constant on Nil—that and the fact that no one ever celebrated a one-year anniversary.
Holding Charley’s hand tight, I turned to Jason. “Talk to me about Search.”
The next hour flew by as we took advantage of the fading light. I debriefed every team just back, cataloguing what they’d seen and heard, grateful the quake was minor and no one got hurt. I spoke to everyone with Priority, shoring up their choices. When I was confident the new teams were balanced and prepped, I whistled.
Conversations stalled like a gate dropped from the sky; all heads turned to me.
“So here’s where we stand. Nat’s back, ready to roll out tomorrow. She’s got time.” Silent nods, fierce faces.
I took in the stoic group. “As you might have heard, Li’s gone. Today was her last day. So let’s all keep her in our prayers.” More nods, even more eyes closed as silent prayers flew skyward.
After a thick moment, I cleared my throat. “Okay, here’s the latest. Jason says Nil’s home to an ostrich now, and he brought back another goat.” I pointed to the pens, where two goats kept company with the cow. “Li’s team saw a trio of wild horses. No one’s seen the rhino lately, but who knows. There’s also a pair of hippos. Hippos usually find their way to the mudflats. I saw one there last month, so we might have three. Keep your eyes open. I’m no hippo expert, but like everything else, they can get mean when cornered, eh?”
“True dat,” Bart said. I ignored him.
“Last but not least, no word on whether the tiger’s still around. Stay alert, take care of each other.” I took a sip of water. “Next up: teams. New ones launch tomorrow. Morning or afternoon, team Leaders make the final call on departure and support. So here goes: Elia as Leader, with Johan as Spotter and Cassie and Julio as support. Miguel, with Jillian as Spotter, Sy and Macy as support. Nat, with Jason as Spotter, Charley and me as support. I nominate Rives to Lead while I’m gone. All hands yea?”
A dozen hands shot up at once. As he raised his hand, Sy looked guilty. Beside Sy, Bart’s arms stayed crossed, his expression furious.
“Okay.” I nodded. “Let’s get busy, and get lucky.”
The buzz was back. If anything, it had jacked up a notch.
I looked around for Charley. She wasn’t in sight. I wondered what she was up to, but before I could find out, Talla came up, asking about gliders. Jillian had concerns about supplies, and Johan was on Jillian’s heels, with news about one of the crops. Questions and problems, answers and guesses. Bart strode up as Johan moved away.Problem, I thought, taking in Bart’s hard face.
“Did you tell Miguel not to pick me?” he asked.
“No, Bart,” I said, working to keep my voice steady as I highlighted his lack of basic courtesy, “I asked him to name his team. And he did.”
Bart’s voice rose like he’d sucked down helium. “Well, I’ve helped him find wood to carve, and he said he’d pick me. Hepromised.” Now he sounded petulant. And seriously annoying.
“Look, that’s between you and Miguel. All I know is that he named his team, and you weren’t on it.” Even though I’d spoken the truth, I regretted my bluntness. “Maybe next time,” I offered lamely.
