I lie back down, my teeth chattering. The night air is really cold. I suddenly feel lonely and sad, thinking about Trent. I remember my first night in Central Settlement, the warm salty breeze on my face and his kiss. If he was here, I’d ask him to hold me. But there’s no Trent, only Wreck, so I hug myself and try to drift back to sleep.
***
Several hours later I awaken with tears rolling down my face. I saw my mother tied up to a tree in my dream, her body burning and her mouth frozen open in a silent plea for help.
It’s early morning and a thick fog creeps through the woods. I sit up, wiping at my eyes. I take a deep breath to steady myself, but the humid air brings no relief. I cover my face and begin to cry.
Wreck sits under his tree, watching me with a strange knowing expression. He rises to his feet, approaches and hands me a flask.
“Here,” he says softly, “Have a drink.”
I take a long sip of water and return the flask to him. Wreck plops on the ground in front of me, looking me over. I sniffle, holding back more tears, feeling weak.
“Like to play a game?” Wreck asks.
“What kind of game?”
“You’ll see.”
He pulls out a large golden coin, places it in his right palm and curls his hand into a fist. Then he holds his both fists in front of me and says, “Choose one.”
I point at the right one. Wreck opens his fists and the coin is in his left hand.
“You lose,” he smirks, and I smile back.
He makes me guess a second time and I choose the left fist.
“Wrong again,” Wreck laughs, waving an empty hand.
The third time I win and he gives me the coin.
“That’s your prize,” he says. “Keep it for good luck.”
I realize he let me win on purpose.
“Thanks,” I say, turning the coin over in my fingers. “You stole it, didn’t you?”
“Would that bother you?”
I hesitate, thinking. “No, not really. Is this coin valuable?”
“Not out here. In these woods it’s just a shiny thing.”
I remember a few stories about thieves I’d heard back in Central Settlement. I guess Wreck is a skillful pickpocket. The idea neither surprises nor bothers me.
He cuts a thin straight branch from a tree and begins sharpening one end, using his switchblade. I watch him, still thinking of my mother.
“May I see your knife?” I ask, trying to distract myself.
“Sure. You like knives?”
“I think so,” I answer, taking the switchblade from his hand and carefully touching the sharp metal. “Is it the one you held to my neck?”
“The very one,” Wreck nods. “You can keep it if you like. You really earned it.”
“I’ve already got one.”
“You can never own too many knives. Take it. I have another.”
He shows me another blade, similar to the one he’s offering.
“Well, thanks,” I say, a little embarrassed. I’m not used to receiving gifts.
“You’re most welcome,” he grins. “Feeling any better?”
“A little, I guess.”
I rub my face, trying to shake off my grogginess. My head is still cloudy. The air is warm now, and the humidity is making my skin sticky.
“Gosh,” I sigh. “I really wish I could wash my face.”
I try to remember the last time I took a bath. I feel dirty.
“Come with me,” Wreck says, smiling. “I have something to show you.”
He leads me through the woods and in a few minutes we suddenly arrive at a lake. The water is clear and motionless like a big smooth mirror reflecting the clouds and trees. Fog snakes above the surface, giving this place a surreal and almost eerie look.
“It’s beautiful,” I utter.
“The water is really nice,” Wreck says. “You may go for a swim if you like. Do you know how?”
“I do,” I answer. “But I have nothing to swim in.”
He rolls his eyes. “We’re in the middle of nowhere. There’s no people around. Just remove your clothes and jump in.”
I stare at him, scowling.
“What?” he asks. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m not gonna let you see me naked,” I state.
“Well,” he laughs. “I really didn’t expect you would. Relax, I’ll just go gather some wood for a fire.”
I notice that his hair is wet, though he’s still wearing his war paint. He must have swum before I woke. I don’t say anything, looking at him suspiciously.
“Go ahead,” Wreck says, winking. “Just watch out for the snakes. I saw a few earlier.”
He turns and heads back into the woods. Left alone, I stand at the edge of the water, hesitating. I really want to swim, but don’t trust Wreck. I vividly recall the incident with Logan and his friend, and sigh with unease.
What would Amethyst do in this situation? Well, I guess I know the answer to that.
I feel angry. Why do I have to bother with what Wreck has on his mind? Why can’t I swim if I want to? It wouldn’t be my fault if he decides to pull some dirty trick.
I take off my clothes, placing them on the sand and step out into the water. It feels good, cool but not too cold. A few fish swim past. I smile, trying to snatch one, but it slips out of my hands. Thinking of Amy, I swim out toward the middle of the lake. I wonder whether Wreck was just joking about the snakes or if there really are some out here. I don’t know exactly why, but I’ve always liked snakes.
Twenty minutes later, I head back toward the shore, looking around and feeling more anxious. But
