“Grim,” said Marcus, “edging toward ‘disastrous,’ but probably still shy of ‘wanton cannibalism.’ This outpost was on the last of their rations before three hundred refugees showed up; apparently they’re scheduled to evacuate today.”

“They are,” said Kira. “The next outpost will probably be just as strapped when we get there.”

“We can try to scavenge the area around it,” said Marcus, “but you’ve got to remember that every human on the island has passed through here in the last month. Even scavenging, there’s not going to be enough food for everyone.”

Talking to Marcus is so much easier than talking to Samm, thought Kira. Or maybe it only feels easy because we’re talking about easy things. Weights and measures and nuts and bolts. Why can I talk about saving the world, but not about myself?

Screw this, she thought. If I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it at all. She looked Marcus straight in the eyes. “Marcus, you know I’m in love with you, right?”

His mouth hung open a second, and then he smiled. “I didn’t know if I’d ever hear you say it again.”

“And you also know I’m in love with Samm?”

His mouth hung open a moment longer this time, his eyes clouded. “That’s not what I wanted to hear next, but still . . . thanks, I suppose. Better to hear it straight out.”

“I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.”

“So that’s why you kissed me?”

“That’s not why I wanted to kiss you, that’s just why I allowed myself to kiss you.”

Marcus shook his head. “Not sure that makes me feel better.”

“I made a choice because I thought it was the only one I had,” said Kira. “I know that’s horrible, but there it is. When I kissed him, it was for the same reason—I thought I was going to die, and I kissed him, and I told him I loved him. It’s like . . . I can throw away my whole life trying to help somebody else, but I can only do something for me if I know it doesn’t matter.”

“So you’ve kissed him, too,” said Marcus. “This is becoming an intensely confusing and uncomfortable conversation.”

“I’m so sorry, Marcus. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” said Marcus, though he was obviously struggling to find the right words. “We’re both pretty flawless specimens—I can barely choose between us either.”

Kira laughed. “My choices were so much easier to make when I thought the apocalypse was making them for me.”

“The apocalypse is still young,” said Marcus dryly. “Do you honestly think we’re all going to live through the next few days? Maybe you’ll die and I’ll end up with Samm.”

“Better him than Heron,” said Kira. “Whatever you do, stay away from her.”