“Maybe not,” James said. “But she’s here now. No matter what you say to her, she won’t want to leave. That’s how it works when they come here. Through their time at The House, they become indoctrinated. Even if she didn’t love Haden when she arrived, she’d believe she did after staying in The House. But from what Haden told me, she really does love him. She told him as much when they were in your world.”

“Then I should just go my merry way?” I asked. “Leave her here and go home?”

“It’s too late for that,” James said. A hint of an edge was in his voice. For a second, he reminded me of the madman, the big bad wolf who was ready to blow The House down to get at me. “When I came back, my father and I were immediately banished. Shunned. When I start to right injustices, he’s first on my list. My father’s an old man, not nearly as strong as he used to be. If you might be the way to get him back into Judaculla…I’m just going to have to take that chance.”

I didn’t know how he expected me to react. Was I supposed to run away again? Hide in the cave until the cold drove me out? Or was I supposed to give up my alleged rescue mission of Calla and just follow him to the Elders? To anyone else, it would seem the most bizarre situation. A captive who didn’t want to leave her guard. I had to choose my next words carefully, so he’d believe me.

“Well, I’m not saying I’m going to go with you to the Elders. But presently,” I motioned to his blanket that was still wrapped around my shoulders, “I have no dry clothes, no shelter, and no way out of Judaculla. So I guess I’ll have to believe you’re the nice guy you claim to be. And that in the end, you’ll do what’s right and show me the way out of here. Until then, I think you’re the best chance I have for surviving.”

“I guess we’re in the same boat,” James said. He pulled a canteen from his backpack and took a drink. “I have no guarantee your capture will be enough to get my father back home, but you’re the best chance I have. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll be keeping a close eye on you.” He passed me the canteen.

I’d like nothing better. I gave him a smile. “Here’s to being each other’s best chance.” I raised the canteen toward him, took a long drink, then returned it.

Laughing, James tossed me my shirt. “This should be dry by now.”

“Thanks,” I said. I rose and walked away.

“Where are you going?”