The bed in B-64 has been tidied, and the rotting flowers removed, but everything else remains as it was. From the trunk, I select one of Mrs. Sloane’s matronly dresses, a pair of gloves, and a coat. I shove Drummer’s whirling drum into a deep pocket, along with my carved whale. With the bee-swarm veil tossed out the porthole of Room 14, I put on a knitted cap and say a prayer that a woman who looks like me will still be worth saving.

36

I make my way up to the Boat Deck, stopping short at the sight of Fong, sitting at the bottom of a flight of stairs with his head between his knees. His lame foot sticks out and is missing its shoe. Jamie crouches by him, with Wink, Olly, and Bo standing alongside. I cry out, and all but Fong look up.

Jamie takes in my change of clothes and nods in approval. A makeshift sling has been tied around him, taking the weight off his injured shoulder. His cap is damp, and sweat runs down the fine bones of his neck.

“What happened?” I ask. “Where are Tao and Ming Lai?”

Fong holds his knees and rocks himself.

“Ming Lai is with the Domenics,” Jamie says quietly. “Tao, well . . .”

“He left,” Fong howls. “Stupid turtle. Said he wanted to give someone else his place.”

Though I hear the words, they have trouble sinking in. “You mean he—?”

“He left to meditate!” Spit flecks Fong’s chin. “I lost him!”

Only now do I notice how Olly rubs his eyes with his sleeves, and how Wink’s mouth bunches into a tight knot, as if to keep his emotions from spilling out. Bo, the farthest from Fong, stands with his hands loosely on his hips, slightly shaking his head.

“Aw, lads,” I manage, placing my hands on the boys’ slumped shoulders. “We also lost Drummer.” A pained look crosses Jamie’s face, and the lads begin sniffing. “But we have to get through this. Tao and Drummer would want us to make it, so let’s not disappoint them.” I swallow hard and meet Bo’s gaze. “We shall mourn later.”

Jamie crouches by Fong. “Uncle, we have to go. Please, think of the lads.”

“Nothing is left,” Fong moans. “Leave me here with Tao.”

“Uncle, please.” Jamie’s eyes plead, a look I’ve seen countless times, as when Ba refused to leave our flat and we feared he might disappear into himself.

Fong clamps his knees tighter. The lights shudder ominously again. But Fong still does not rise.