“Who’s there? Is that you, LT? I was just –” The woman sounded terrified.

“No, it’s me.” Sorrel approached the woman, palms outward.

“What? Who are you?” She stumbled on the low step into the building as she tried to retreat.

Sorrel went right up to her. “I won’t hurt you. I’m a Lowlander, looking for my mother.”

“Are you crazy?” the female hissed. “They’ll kill you! How did you get into the camp?”

“It’s a long story. Who’s inside? Are you all females? Lowlanders?”

“Yes. You’d better come inside. LT will be along on patrol in seconds, although he won’t be liking this dust.”

The door creaked open and they slipped inside. It was as dark as the back of a cave. The woman lit a candle. Old-time metal beds were lined up against the walls, the ones closest to where they stood were empty. Sorrel could hear the steady breathing of people, probably asleep. “I have to find a place to hide you,” the woman whispered. “Come with me. I’m going to wake up Iris and Petal and you can tell us your story.”

Flower names, Sorrel thought. These females are from Bana.

The woman led her to a corner at one end of the building. “Sit,” she whispered, and stood with one ear against the wood. Sorrel could hear nothing from outside. She slid to the floor, leaning against the wall and listened to the women breathe.

After a short time, the woman squatted beside her. “I think he’s gone. He won’t be back for half an hour, maybe more. You stay here.”

“What’s your name?”

“Selan.”

“I’m Sorrel. From Bana.”

“Huh. I’ll be right back,” Selan said.

She returned with two other females. “Sit in a close circle,” she said. “Knees touching.” Sorrel complied, and the women leaned in together. Selan whispered. “So who are you and what’re you doing here?”

Sorrel gathered her thoughts. “I came to the mountains with my mother from Bana because we heard it was cooler. We found a group of Tribals, a female band. I stayed with them; my mother left. I’m here to find her.”

“Why would your mother be here?” Selan said. “Why should we trust you?” She had a wide scar on her cheek from ear to mouth.

“We should sound the alarm,” said one of the other females. She had a baby face with round cheeks. “If we’re found with a fugitive, you know what’s going to happen to us.”

“I know my mother was here. She sent me a message.”

“I’m Petal. From Bana too,” the third woman said. “Easy to check her story, Selan. You – what’s your mother’s name?”

Sorrel didn’t answer right away.

“Well?” Selan demanded. “Or is your whole story a lie?”

“Bibi,” Sorrel said. “Bibi Morgan.”

There was silence. “She was captured a year ago,” Selan said.