“Sometimes, we make it inside the town undetected. When that happens, we pretty much take what we can.” He quickly added, “From the Elders. We don’t take anything from the people who live there. Aside from living in a house, they really don’t have it much better than we do.”

He opened his pack, then removed six table knives I recognized from The Promise Ball. “I snagged these from The House the other night. Knives are highly desirable out here.”

James had no sooner produced the knives than four or five people had gathered around us, pushing me away from him.

“Three pounds of jerky,” said one person.

“Two pairs of socks,” called another.

As soon as the bartering began, other people joined the throng, each shouting out what they were willing to part with to get common table utensils—things I’d hardly noticed in my former life.

“Hold on,” James said, putting his eyes on me. I waved to show him where I’d wait. “I’m not going to let go of them as a whole set. That wouldn’t be fair. I’ll let them go in pairs; that way, more families can get some use out of them.”

“Seth, I’ll trade you two knives for one pound of jerky,” James said. Seth nodded. They exchanged their items, and the other man returned to his shelter. James continued in this manner, trading another pair of knives for one pair of socks and the last for some herbal tea.

The trades only took a few minutes. In the end, everyone was satisfied with their treasures. The crowd gave its approval as it dispersed, calling out, “Well done, old man. Fair trades.”

Feelings of pride surged through me as I watched James pack away the jerky, socks, and tea. Although he’d had the more valuable items, he hadn’t taken advantage of anyone. James was much wiser than other teenage boys I’d known. The old man nickname suited him. It made perfect sense to me.

“Not too bad, eh?” he said, walking over to me.

“Well done, old man,” I said, repeating what the Fringers had said.

James laughed. “Thanks, Lilly.”

I tapped him playfully on his arm. “You know better,” I said.

James took my hand, pulling me close to him. “Yes, I do, Leath.”

Once again, I was distracted by the sound of my name on his lips. My insides fluttered. I moved closer, looping my arm through his. As we headed out of the co-op, James reached inside the breast pocket of his jacket and pulled out a handful of wooden matches. He dropped them into what resembled an old birdfeeder. It was a clever contraption with a roof that would keep the matches dry. “We all add to the supply whenever we can.”