When we reach the table the man and woman standing over the map turn and look at us, smiles spreading across their faces.
“And this is Mio and Cinder,” Cooper says, introducing us to the two in charge. We exchange greetings and end up circled around the table with the map. I look down and study the aged fabric. I’m amazed by how detailed this map really is. I see a tiny black “x” in the center of a tan circle. “Home” is written under the “x”, and I realize that’s where we are now. It’s pretty centered between the center of the island and the southern shore. I let my gaze move up the map and see “Garth” written out in large red letters. I start to take in how much space there is between the two points.
On fabric the space seems so basic; just green forest. But what I have actually gone through from one point to the other is much more than a couple of green painted trees. My life has changed from the starting point to here. I lost my mother and my younger brother. My family was ripped away from me. I was forced to save myself and use my gift for the first time. I was reunited with my best friends, and for the first time I felt like I actually belonged. And then it was all ripped away from me just as fast. I learned my father didn’t actually abandon me, and I learned I have an older brother who has given his entire childhood to saving my life. But when you look at it on the map it’s just a couple of painted trees, that’s all it will ever look like to anyone else.
I realize there are many other points on the map all around the point labeled home. One has a drawing of a cave and another a creek.
“We’ve had a lot of time to map out our surrounding areas,” I hear Cinder say in her soft high-pitched voice, her dark blue eyes meeting mine.
I drop my eyes from hers and nod my head before asking, “So we’re leaving tomorrow to save Zavy and Toby, right?” The silence that follows my question leaves me uneasy. “Right?” I ask again.
“Adaline, we were never given any instruction to help a ‘Zavy’. Your father only told us about you and Alexander,” Cinder says.
“Well, I’m not going to leave her out here,” I say, gesturing to the humming jungle around us. I can’t believe what they’re telling me. “They need to get to Libertas.” I’m hesitant to say my next words, but I think it may be the only way I can convince them. “Toby and Zavy are both gifted. They need help fleeing to Libertas.”
I see Mio consider this just for a second before he says, “Adaline we can’t risk going off from the original plan. If we do anything that your father didn’t tell us to do it could throw everything off.”
“But,” I start before Mio cuts me off.
“The answer’s no Adaline. Look around you. All these people have given their lives to make sure this plan is followed out perfectly. Don’t make all they gave up for nothing. I’m sorry about your friend, but we can’t afford to take any chances.” He looks at me sternly and adds, “I was given a job seven years ago and I plan to see it through exactly how I was instructed to. You follow me now.” His command makes me stiffen. I’m not in chains or locked behind bars, but his statement leaves me feeling like a prisoner.
I drop my gaze from Mio’s and feel my hands clench into fists. I feel Cooper place his hand on my arm and I slowly relax my fingers and let out a long breath. “Fine,” I breathe.
“Maybe she’ll get out on her own and meet us at Sard. She knows that was where we were heading,” Alexander says and I let my eyes meet his and he immediately drops his gaze from mine, but I can tell he doesn’t even believe what he’s saying.
“Maybe,” I mumble. “So then what’s our next move?” I ask as I gesture to the map.
“I think the best course for us to take will be to follow this river all the way south into Sard,” Mio says. “That way we will always have a supply of food and water.” Mio drags his finger along the painted blue squiggling line that he refers to as the river.
“I mean that makes sense to me,” I agree. Then I hear a low-tone bell ring. I look around in confusion.
Cooper explains, “That’s our sign that dinner’s ready.”
“We’ll pack up the documents,” Mio says as he rolls up the map.
“Go ahead and take them to the dining tent,” Cinder says in her soft sweet voice. I can’t help thinking of how different Mio and Cinder are. Cooper starts heading back toward the tent that I had previously referred to as the kitchen. My mouth instantly begins to water at the aroma in the room, and I realize I haven’t had a decent meal in almost two days.
I move and stand in line with the others. The food has been laid out in front of us and I don’t hesitate to take my fair share of the freshly cooked meat. There are also a large variety of greens and berries, including the familiar ray berries we’ve been living off of.
I take all my hands can hold and follow Alexander outside. I notice that everyone has broken off into groups to eat their dinner. Alexander and I head toward the edge
