“Yeah.” He pushed me back. “Better they give you the opportunity to prove you’re a moron.” Then he took off running. I had no choice but to chase after him, like I hadn’t a care in the world and nothing better to do than goof around with my brother. Like I wasn’t trying desperately to amalgamate my two families before I had to choose one over the other.

“How far you figure it is until we get there?” he shouted back over his shoulder. He still hadn’t gotten the hang of being quiet out here. I guess it was all playacting, anyway. Was he really in any danger? Certainly not from the enemies the rest of us were avoiding.

“No idea.”

He stopped at the top of the hill and put his hands on his hips, catching his breath. “So, is Rose your girlfriend or something?”

I winced at her name. “No.” I still wouldn’t offer up any details about Rose, not to Mitch.

“You sure? ’Cause that could be a problem.” He was skeptical.

“How so?” I was standing beside him now, taking in the thick trees and uneven ground all around us. Looking back, I could make out branches moving in a pattern not explained by the wind—the rest of the group on our trail.

“Well, I don’t want you going all soft on the mission because of some girl.”

“She’s not ‘some girl.’ ” I paused, remembering to add, “And she doesn’t make me soft.”

“Oh, so she makes you hard, then?” He busted out laughing. I wanted to punch him in the lip. I was jealous that anyone could make those noises, could feel that mirth. I thought about Riri at the bottom of the rocks, one pink boot still on, her head a mass of dark hair and crusty blood. I thought about Sunny holding my hand while I delivered her into darkness.

“Why do you keep bringing her up, anyway? Enough.”

“Okay, okay, easy.” He held his hands out in front of him. “Just making conversation, is all. Anything to break up the monotony of this damn walk.”

“Well, just shut up, and let’s go.” I waved him on. “We gotta find a good camping spot for the group for tonight.”

I started down the hill, kicking my heels back into the soil as I stepped to avoid spilling out. I didn’t bother to explain the technique to Mitch, who skidded and overstepped and fell on his ass. That was the first time I smiled for real all day.

✦✦✦ ✦✦✦ ✦✦✦

Miig was acting strange. He didn’t tell Story that night. In fact, he wouldn’t even sit with us. He kept to the perimeter of the camp, even when Isaac sat with us to eat. Mitch horsed down his food, and I was embarrassed. It was ironic behavior from someone who thought we were the primitive ones.

“Come sit, my love.” Isaac patted the tarp beside him.

“Not hungry,” Miig responded, arms folded over his chest.