Chapter 18 · Untitled Chapter

"You're leaving." Amy dropped from the wagon tongue and blocked my path before I could reach the freight line.

The brass tag burned against my hip. Midnight freight. Two hours. I had one blanket, two shirts, and the knife I shouldn't have owned.

Amy crossed her arms. Dirt covered her knees. Her braid had come loose, but her eyes were sharp. "Take me with you."

"No."

"You didn't even think about it."

"I thought about it yesterday. And the day before that. Still no."

"Everyone leaves."

"Go back to your tent."

"No."

I crouched until we were eye to eye. Her skin was warm when she brushed past my hand. Mine had been cold for weeks. "Your father cares about you. You're safe here. I'm not."

"Why?"

Because I died and didn't stay dead. Because I'd drunk from a rabbit tonight. Because the rabbit hadn't been enough.

I kept my mouth shut.

"You said you'd tell me when you were ready," she said. "I'm ready now."

"You're nine."

"I'm not stupid."

"I didn't say you were."

"You think I'm a baby."

"I think you need to live long enough to become a problem for everybody."

Her mouth tightened. "Take me."