“One of two things,” James said. “She’ll be taken into custody and given a responsibility. Those range from helping at The House, The Board, where everyone takes their meals, or some other place. Don’t ask me about the other places. Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

The tone of his voice made me feel sick to my stomach. “The other thing? If she’s detected but not taken into custody?”

“That means we’ve gotten her out of Judaculla,” James said. “That doesn’t happen too often. Actually, that’s never happened.”

“So it’s best not to be detected.”

James nodded.

“And that’s why she came. She’s afraid I’ll do something to cause the rest of them to be discovered.” Moving to his side, I took his hand. “I’m not going to do that, you know? Even if I knew any Fringer secrets, I wouldn’t tell anyone. I would never do anything to hurt any of the Fringers.” I stared into his eyes. “Or you.”

“I believe you. I don’t know why, but I do,” James said.

One step closer, I thought. One step at a time is fine with me.

James smiled and squeezed my hand before releasing it. It was much the same way he might have comforted someone he was visiting in a hospital. Although the moment had passed, I felt buoyed by the infinitesimal progress we were making. It was a small victory, but I’d take it.

James regarded me expectantly. “Any chance of a sandwich this morning?” I picked up the paper bag, then held the last sandwich out to him. “I’m not going to eat that unless you cut it in half.”

Any hunger in my belly evaporated when I noticed how much thinner James was compared to when we were together in Woodvine. “I’m really not hungry,” I said.

“Humor me,” James said.

Ashamed I was delaying him getting something to eat, I tore the sandwich into two pieces, slyly giving him the larger half. James took it and nodded in thanks. I forced myself to eat my half, all the while hating he was living this way.

“I think we can let this go out after what’s here burns up,” James said. He began folding up the mat and blankets. When his pack was full, he sat on the log and stared into the fire. I joined him, sitting as close as I dared as we silently watched the fire die.