“Please listen to me, Carl.” In the distance I could see a light further around the lake. That might be Mr. Russell’s place. Jim and Jackie. If Carl didn’t stop, I could jump in and swim toward that light. I leaned over and looked into the black water. I pictured it, a forceful dive from the side of the rowboat, swift strokes, strong legs kicking. But then I remembered I couldn’t swim.

Carl leaned forward. The boat rocked and water lapped against the sides. Girl whined, pawed at Carl. I felt coldness around my feet. “Are you trying to probe me? Scan me? I saw you outside talking to that man.”

“What man?”

“In the water vehicle. Urh. Flying through.”

“The canoe? I told you about him. He just wanted to know if I’d caught a fish, Carl. It was nothing. Honest.”

“Stan said that man could be your two, but I didn’t think. I didn’t think correctly.”

“He lives in another cottage. Him and his wife. He’s Jim. She’s named after a dog. I can’t remember what it’s called. They’re just two down.” I put my hand on Girl’s back. She was warm. Her tail was twitching back and forth through the water at the bottom of the boat. “Two down, Carl. He was nice.”

“I know what you were doing. Putting out a message. I managed two years without getting caught. But they fooled me with you. They did. Hide a boy inside the darkness.”

“I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry. I’ll just leave, okay?” We were floating inside the line of moonlight. The lake looked enormous, its edges appearing miles away. I looked down into the water again. “Can we go back to shore? Please, Carl? I’ll just go. You won’t ever see me again. I’ll go.”

“It’s too late,” he said. “I’m going to give you one chance. Urh. Tell me who sent you here.”

“Please, Carl.” I was sobbing. I slid forward, closer to Girl. “Please. I don’t know what you’re talking about. My name is Rowan Theodore Janes. I live at 17 Pinchkiss Circle. I have a little sister Maisy and a dog named Chicken. My mom’s name is Gloria. She stuck me under that stupid sign. Remember? Then I ran away. I made a mistake, Carl. I made a mistake.” Tears poured out of my eyes. My whole body was shaking. “I shouldn’t have run away. It was really dumb. I didn’t think. Then it just went on and on, and I wanted to go back last night, but I was afraid, and maybe I should have just tried. But I want to go back. I want to go home.”

“Stop!” he yelled. “Where’s your pair? Workers come in twos. Always. Where’s your two? Where. Is. Your. Two?”