My thoughts carry me back to the night I was begging my mother to escape with me. I remember Tanya’s relatives refusing to take a single step toward their freedom, although the door was open wide and the guards were dead. Tears flood my eyes again, but this time not from self-pity. I cry for my mother, Amethyst and Topaz. I cry for Logan’s friend who was shot by Gabriel, and the girl with the scarred face who helped Tanya and I escape. I weep for all the abused and mistreated servants in the land, those who know nothing better than their enslavement.
How can I help anybody? How can I change anything? Am I losing my mind to even have such ideas?
Maxine and Jin wait patiently for me to calm down. When I finally run out of tears, a cold determination settles over me. I feel the same way as I did the night I went to rescue Amy.
“I’m going to kill Samuel and free my friends on my own,” I say. “It doesn’t matter if Kris doesn’t want to come with me. I’ll return to Central Settlement alone.”
“Not quite,” Maxine says, her eyes darkening. “You won’t be going alone. I’ll go with you.” She turns to face her mother. “I’m sorry, mom. But I have to do this. I can’t remain hiding in this village anymore. I feel small and insignificant here. I’ve always dreamt of doing as you once did.”
“Well, I guess my little girl grew up.” Jin smiles at her daughter. “Should Tartis ask, I’ll tell him you both went hunting.”
I remember the rangers have a policy not to attack Central Settlement.
“You don’t have to do this,” I say to Maxine.
“No, but I want to,” she insists.
I don’t argue. I’m willing enough to go back to Central Settlement alone, but I do realize I need Maxine’s help. I feel so grateful toward her. Why is she even doing this? Why is she always helping me?
We decide to steal a truck and travel back to Central Settlement the following night. There’s little time before the next Terror Race, but we both need rest. Maxine insists on my staying in Jin’s house, but I refuse, feeling a strong need to spend time alone. I finish my tea and leave, walking along the dark deserted path once again.
Half way back to the village, I hear a noise coming from the brush. I freeze, turning to the source of the sound. Another wolf? I don’t think so. I realize that somebody must have been following me.
“I know you are there,” I say sternly, pulling my trophy knife.
I remember Ace’s threat to break my legs and feed me to the wild animals. I’m more than willing to fight, should he and his friends attack me a second time.
“Come out from there!” I order, listening intently.
Silence. I pick up a pinecone and throw it into the brush.
“Ouch! Dang it, Kora! You’re so brutal.”
I recognize Wreck’s voice, and my panic increases. I feel an urge to run because I don’t know what he has on his mind. He walks out of the brush, grinning like a fool, a few small leaves stuck in his hair.
“Seriously?” he smirks, glancing at my knife. “Come on, you know me better than that.”
Does he mean that the knife isn’t a real threat to him? Or is he pretending to be my friend again? I lower the blade, watching him suspiciously. “What are you doing out here?”
“Stalking you.”
“What? Why?”
“Well, I’m just perfecting my stalking techniques. We sometimes stalk strangers to learn what kinda weapons they carry and whether they’re dangerous. It’s a necessary skill to develop. Now that you’re a ranger, you’ll need to learn and practice it as well.”
He pauses, flashing a wide grin. I have no comment to offer on his nonsense.
“Honestly,” he continues. “I came to apologize. You were right. You and I should avenge our relatives.”
Hallelujah, I think. But what I say is, “I don’t need your help, Kris.”
“Come on. You definitely need my skills on this venture.”
“Not so much as you think,” I smirk. “Maxine has agreed to help me.”
“Maxie!” he groans. “Well, I guess it’s my turn to say that I’ll do anything you want if you let me join you.” He smiles, looking straight into my eyes. “And I do mean… anything.”
Embarrassed, I glare at him, remaining quiet.
“C’mon, just agree to take me along.” He pauses, grinning. “Please say yes. It’s a real easy word to say. Or if you don’t want to speak it out loud, you can just nod. Or wink and I’ll understand. Look, it ain’t hard. Just like this.”
He begins winking at me in an exaggerated manner, and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. I recognize the guy who showed me magic tricks and once soothed me at night. Part of me truly missed him.
“Oh all right,” I sigh. “You can help.”
“Great.” He stretches out a hand. “Friends?”
“Partners in crime,” I smile, shaking his hand.
We head back toward the village, walking side by side. The sky is slowly growing lighter. Once again, I’ve managed to stay awake the entire night.
“Why did you change your mind?” I ask to break the silence.
“Well, after you left I had no idea what to do. So I sat there thinking and then thinking some more… And finally heard voices telling me that I needed to follow you. So here I am.”
I stare at him, frowning. “Please don’t tell me that you hear voices.”
“Relax. It’s nothing serious.”
“You’re just joking, right? Please say that you’re just joking.”
“I’m not joking. What? Why are
