“I didn’t know he had siblings.”

“They’ve all been initiated and are working in the field. He’s the youngest—and by all accounts the smartest.” Stewart leans his head back next to mine so we’re both staring down the stone corridor.

“What’s their deal, anyway?” I ask. “They seem like nice, normal parents. I can’t imagine them stealing anything.”

“It’s weird, right? But I heard that back in the day they were the most-wanted couple in Europe.” He studies me out of the corner of his eye. “Garrett has skills, but I have a feeling about you. Besides, we’re friends. I want to help you win in any way I can.”

Friends. The magic word. Enjoying the fuzzy warmth prickling across my skin, I smile. “I’d love your help, but I’m not sure I want to win.”

He sits up. “Why not?”

I glance at him without moving my head. “I don’t like being the center of attention.”

“Well, it’s too late for that, so you might as well try to win.”

“Yeah…” I wrinkle my nose, trying to work out the real reason I’m hesitant. “I guess the bigger issue is that I’ve never been good at anything. I’ve failed at everything I ever tried, and I don’t know if I could take it if I failed at this. I feel like I could be good at being a thief, like it’s the closest I’ve come to succeeding at something—I at least have the fantasy Keystone is where I belong—but if I give it my all and I lose, it might break me. I’m scared to want it. It feels much safer to accept third—I at least want to beat Chloe—place.”

“Elisha.” Grabbing my shoulders, Stewart stares me directly in the eye. “You are a thief. This is one hundred percent what you’re supposed to be doing. You’re a natural! You already beat everyone—with one glaring exception—in the obstacle course. You’re already a winner. I think you owe it to yourself to go after this. To want this. To prove to yourself that you are someone who goes after what she wants. Forget your pride and turn that fantasy life into reality.” Giving me a final, little shake, he drops his hands.

“Pride.” I groan, smacking my hand against my forehead. “I know, I know. How did you get to be so wise, Stewart?”

“It’s my gift.” He smiles. “Stick with me, kid. You can have it all.”

“Is that a Matthew McConaughey impression?” I ask.

“Nice work,” he says. “I wouldn’t expect a Maker kid to get that.”

“Why? He wasn’t a thief, he was an actor.”

“That’s what you think.”

“Really?” Straightening my spine, my eyes bulge.

“It’s not my secret to tell.” He laughs. “But mostly it’s because Disconnects only watch film, so we’re stuck with a lot of old movies.”

“Well, I’ve always loved old movies. They were so much more fun when all they did was tell a story instead of being a virtual-life experience. I like really old ones, like The Goonies. My parents were so afraid one public misstep would ruin my chances of becoming an Influencer when I grew up, they kept me under lock and key. Movies were practically my only friends. It was a good thing my dad had a massive collection of them.” For once, my Maker cover story aligns with the truth, and I’m glad I get to share a little bit of the real me.