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The tawny youth, who thought himself the leader of the Wolves through this summer, shook his head at Valentine, a half-sneer on his face. "Yea."
"Fuck you, Al," Burton spat. "Nay. And fuck you again, in case you didn't hear me the first time."
"Nay," added Valentine, trying not to grin in triumph. "Al-istar, you can get off with Eveready, if you like."
"You bet your ass I like."
"Can we get moving, Valentine?" Eveready asked.
The four rowed with renewed vigor. Valentine, feeling the energy of vindication in his limbs, dug his paddle deep into the water. Burton poured out his fury on the other side, and the canoe sped through the night.
Within five minutes, the western shore loomed out of the darkness. Alistar buckled on his pack, and Eveready jumped out and held the canoe steady. Hernandez started to put on his pack.
"Wait, Hernandez. We're staying in the boat," Valentine ordered.
"What's that?" Eveready asked.
Valentine put his oar behind his back and stretched. "Burton, let's switch places so I can use some different muscles. Eveready, you said they don't swim too fast, right? We head downriver, with the current. We'll hear any patrol boat. Go all night if we have to, then start moving overland at dawn."
"Hell, kid, if you had a plan, you should have said so. You're still taking a risk that the Reapers don't have another boat."
"You said five. This boat fits five easy. Can you still draw one off?"
Eveready smiled, apple-whitened teeth the brightest thing Valentine had seen all night, like a beacon of hope. "If one is still following me by sunrise, it won't live to see another nightfall."
"Alistar, last chance," Valentine called to the receding figure.
"You'll be bled out before dawn, Valentine," Alistar said. He turned. "Hernandez, this is your last chance, too."
The teen shook his head. "Sorry, Al. The pack stays together."
Alistar tightened his straps, managing to put contempt in the gesture. "Hope you make it anyway. I'll wait for you at Arkansas Post."
Eveready stepped closer to Valentine. "David, give me your gun."
Valentine reached into the bottom of the boat and brought up the single-shot breechloader. "Why's that?"
"We're gonna swap. I don't know if you have more guts than brains, or more brains than guts, but Trudy can pump five shots into a Reaper faster than you can count. You shot her pretty good this summer. You may need her tonight."
"Aren't you worried you'll never see her again?"
"Just don't let some Quisling mother take her off your body. Bury her at sea when she's empty. You know what I mean?"
The men exchanged rifles and ammunition. "I know what you mean. See you in hell, Cat."
"I'll be waiting, Wolf." Eveready shook his hand, then gripped his fingers in a curious gesture. "David, if you make it, tell your CO about how you sensed that Hood. That's unique. They'll want to know more about it, and you."
"I'll worry about getting home first. Take care!"
Eveready, still standing in the water, turned the canoe and pushed them southward.
"Get running, Alistar, it's every man for himself," Eveready said. "You heading north or south?"
Valentine listened with hard ears.
"I thought we could make the run together," Alistar said, deflated.
"Not a chance. I have to move fast and alone if I'm gonna draw one of these off. Take off, boy. I hope you make it, but I can't have you around me."
