“Why are there so many of us on a shift? Wouldn’t it be easier to cover more ground alone? That’s how we always look.”
She shakes her head. “We don’t go anywhere alone. It is safer in pairs.”
“But Weston was alone, when he was following me,” I counter.
“He’s the captain. He makes his own choices. Plus, he didn’t want to put any of us in danger in the daylight.”
I’m just going to outright ask what I want to know. I could tell Sig didn’t want me to find out about Weston’s stunt, but now that I know, maybe she’ll give me a reason.
“Why was he following me, Sig?”
A few beats pass before she finally responds. “I told you before I would answer whatever questions I am allowed. That’s not my answer to tell.”
I groan. “I don’t want to talk to him. I’d much rather talk to you. He’s an asshole, remember?”
She laughs. “See? I told him you’d like us when he isn’t around.”
It’s the second time she’s said it, and despite my worry that this is all part of their plot to turn me, deep down I somewhat agree with her. It is nice having people to talk to during the day, who seem to care about what I have to say and what is going on with my situation. It feels like a void I’ve had since I was a child is slowly filling, even more than it had back with the Voyagers.
And that terrifies me.
I have to remember, it isn’t their fault that they’ve also been manipulated. The person at fault here is Weston, and I can’t take my anger out on them.
“Everyone ready?” Stassia calls out.
The tunnel takes a sharp turn, then elevates to a set of steps carved into the dirt and rock. Auralie climbs them first, each of us falling into line behind her. She creeps to the top and sticks her head straight through the ground, waving us forward a moment later with her hand that is still visible. She climbs the last steps and the rest of her body disappears through the portal.
Stassia goes next, and Sig motions me forward again, taking up the rear herself.
When I push through, I immediately know where we are.
The bridge I crossed with Mara is nearby, the tunnel letting us out between a mound of boulders near the edge of the forest. Stassia and Auralie are already looking around, assessing for any threats when Sig steps through behind me.
“Is there anything specific we are looking for?” I ask Sig.
“Our best guess is the same as the healing waters. Patterns, hiding places. The waters were marked with the Dawnlin symbol, so we look hard for that.”
I nod. “Sounds easy enough.”
Auralie and Stassia each draw their swords and start toward the marsh.
“You don’t need to be on edge, you know,” I call after them. “Dane doesn’t let any of us out at night. He says it’s not safe.”
“Not safe from who? From us?” Stassia says with a giggle.
“I guess so…” I trail off.
Were the Castaways only armed to protect themselves? They weren’t out prowling the island looking for camp. They don’t seem to want a run in with the Voyagers as much as we don’t want one with them. Finding the dust is their goal, not hunting or hurting anyone. They are only protecting themselves from an attack the other way.
My head starts to hurt as, once again, I feel like I’m questioning everything I know.
We spend a few hours searching the marsh, checking every surface of tree trunks and bushes, feeling for carvings or signs in the land like the chalice in the waterfall. We flip boulders so large it takes all four of us to get it to budge from where it is sunken into the ground.
Now I understand why no one goes out alone. This entire search is a team effort, each person working together to do their part searching for what they need to get everyone home.
I don’t know if I believe the island is hiding the dust somewhere like the waters for anyone to find. I still believe the Guardian is the only way on and off the island, and that there is a way to replenish it. I won’t voice my opinions, though, no matter how much I like these girls.
We tromp through the marshes, and I am grateful that my boots are in such good shape. The dirty water seeping in through worn spots would make the rest of this night miserable. Squelching through the mud, my eyes are on the floor when Auralie’s voice breaks through the quiet.
