“Now, to Samuel.” Hoots and hollers split the air. “You made it, man. Cheers.” Thad raised his cup. Everyone did the same, except Dex.
“And we’ve got a rookie.” Thad turned toward us. “Dex, welcome to Nil. We’re glad you’re here, even though we’re sorry you’re here.” Dex managed a wobbly wave, his empty hands shaking.
“To business,” Thad said. “First up, Search. Three teams leave at dawn. Elia’s heading out with Johan as Spotter, Raj as support. Miguel’s heading out with Bart as Spotter, Talla and Heesham as support. And Nat’s heading out with Jason as Spotter, Charley and me as support.”
Looking supremely confident, Bart high-fived Sy.
Thad’s face darkened, a change evident despite the black Nil night. “Second. The Shack was hit last night, and the metal knives are gone. All of them.” His eyes roamed the group. “Animals don’t steal weapons; people do. If it’s one of us, stop. Put the knives back;that’s all that matters. And if it’s not one of us, then whoever takes watch at the Shack, stay awake.” He glanced at Bart, who didn’t flinch. “We can’t afford to lose any more supplies.”
Thad took a deep breath. “Last thing. I’m stepping down as Leader. I nominate Rives to Lead. He’s been a great Second. Any other nominations?”
Bart’s hand shot up. “Sy.”
Thad nodded. “Anyone else?”
The fire popped in the silence.
“Okay,” Thad said, “All in favor of Rives as Leader, raise your hand.”
Over a dozen hands filled the air.
“Hands down.” Thad said. “All in favor of Sy, raise your hand.”
Bart’s hand flew up. Sy’s weakly followed. No other hands moved.
“Hands down. That’s it.” Thad tipped his cup to Rives. “It’s all yours, bro. Who do you pick as your Seconds?”
Rives stood. “Heesham and Talla. And Sy.” Sy looked shocked; Bart looked confused.
Thad nodded. “Okay, that’s it. Take care of each other. Focus on the good, live in the moment. To now.” As Thad raised his cup, so did the crowd, and the echo of “to now” was deafening.
As the City cheered, I realized Thad hadn’t mentioned the nameless girl, the one Rives and Natalie buried in the night. The omission made her even more lost. No recognition here, and no going home. Despite the fire, I shivered.
“Speaking of now, Macy’s cooked up a little something, just for tonight.” Thad nodded to her. “When you’re ready.”
“Thanks!” Macy beamed. “Okay, people, I’m gonna try something here. If I were you, I’d back up.” As everyone stepped back, I felt Thad’s arms slide around my waist.
Macy nodded to Heesham, who threw her a stick about threefeet long. Each end was wrapped in something thick, like twine or vine. She dipped each end in the fire and then twirled the stick like a baton. Flames swirled in the darkness, forming a circle of light. Macy tossed the stick in the air, caught it, and twirled it until the flames crawled toward her hands. When the flames kissed her fingers, Macy tossed the stick into the fire. As everyone hooted and clapped, she bowed, laughing.
Later, as Thad and I left the beach, Macy’s act played in my head: a ring of fire swirling against the charcoal night. The flaming circle reminded me of a gate, a moving target full of heat, one that everyone was dying to catch.
Like Thad, who had seventy-two days—to catch a gate, to save himself.
And like Natalie, who had even less.
If I was going to help them, time was running out. My charts were full of gaps and guesses, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something. That we wereallmissing something.
And I’d no clue how to find it, or if I even could.
CHAPTER
40
THAD
DAY 294, DAWN
The City was hopping.
