Sarabeth helped me with the other sleeve and adjusted my collar. “I know you love him,” she said. “You love him because that’s what he’s made you do. But you must leave Judaculla. It will no longer be safe for you here. No matter what you thought you were going to do, it won’t be enough. The Elders never admit when they’re wrong. They will never allow you to be with James.”

“You know his name?” I asked, surprised.

Sarabeth hesitated a moment, as if my question caught her off-guard. “Everyone knows his name. We know the names of all the Fringers.”

I jumped when the young girl came out of the shadows. She held a paper bag out for me.

“Sandwiches,” Sarabeth said, adding them to the bag.

“Thank you,” I said to the young girl. “And thank you for—”

I hesitated, unsure if Sarabeth knew about the note I had written using my real name. I decided not to take the chance. “I am sorry I got you into trouble.” I gave her a smile, hoping she understood what I was trying to say.

“Sarabeth,” called a man’s voice. “We’re ready for you now.”

“What’s happening?” I asked.

“We still have to complete The Joining,” Sarabeth said. “And the boys’ families will have questions about what happened and why everything has taken so long.”

The girl was wringing her hands, and looked like she was ready to bolt.

“Wait,” I said. “Please. What is your name?”

“Krista,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Seconds later, she melted into the darkness as she vanished down a hidden passage.

“Don’t worry about her,” Sarabeth said. “A few days out of sight and the Elders will give her no more thought.”

“And Calla?”

“She’s waiting with the rest of the girls for the ceremony. Calla will be fine. She’s got a good husband in Haden. I’ll give her your goodbyes. But you need to go. Now.”

I placed my hand on the doorknob before realizing I didn’t know which way to go. I wouldn’t be able to leave Judaculla if I couldn’t find the rose garden. When I turned around to ask Sarabeth for directions, she was gone. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. Even if I didn’t know my way back home, I could no longer stay here.

I pushed the door open slowly, and my eyes swept from one end of the garden to the other. No one else was outside. Turning back to The House for one last glance, I thought I saw Krista, waving at me from a window in the basement. I nodded to her then darted across the garden and over the low brick wall separating The House from the wilds of Judaculla.

6

On the Fringe