Phalue had meant to send the girl on her way after she’d been fed and cleaned and they’d had the chance to ask her a few questions. But the physician who’d looked at her said she’d be back within a day if they sent her away in her condition. Or worse – dead.

So she stayed, first one night, and then another, and when she finally was too restless to stay in bed, Ranami and Phalue brought her to their sitting room and asked her about Unta.

Reports had trickled in over the past few days as scattered refugees found their way to Nephilanu. Most had stopped at islands closer to Unta, though others had sailed farther – as though afraid that whatever had sank Unta would reach beyond the borders of the island and into the Endless Sea.

There was something quick and anxious about the girl’s walk as she made her way into the sitting room; she picked her feet up soon after setting them down, her gaze darting into every corner. She sat in the cushioned chair across from them, though she checked behind her more than once, her back to the hallway door. Ranami had set the chair there, and now Phalue wondered if that had been a deliberate choice. Did she mean to make Ayesh uncomfortable?

“Can I go yet?” she asked as soon as she sat down.

Phalue picked up a tray of egg tarts and proffered it. The girl took a tart gingerly and then nibbled at the outside of it, as if afraid she had to make it last. Phalue cleared her throat while she ate. “We’ve heard reports about Unta, but you were there. How did it happen?”

Ayesh took her time finishing the tart, her black eyes wide. Ranami sighed. Phalue cast her a “be patient” look. After all, the girl had been through something more traumatizing than either of them could imagine.

“There were little earthquakes first,” Ayesh said once she’d finished. “Some of them, people didn’t even notice. There are earthquakes sometimes. But then there was a big one. I was by the docks trying to catch some fish when it hit. Traded with another kid for line and hooks.” She bit her lip. “Dropped them in the water when it hit. Just the one hand, see? Everything shook. A couple buildings fell down. When it stopped, I tried to get my line out of the water with a stick. Was in the middle of that when another one hit.

“This one was bigger. And it didn’t stop. Everything started creaking and rumbling and falling over. People were screaming.”

“But you got off the island,” Phalue said, encouraging her.