Hutch and Beth searched the house for a flashlight but found nothing. They were out on the porch when the Eiferman made another pass. Derek and Ken were there an hour and twenty minutes later when it came again. No formal watch had been established because everyone wanted to pretend that Wally would stay in place until a support vehicle arrived. Nevertheless, when they saw the moving star, they wasted no time informing their partners.

Hutch watched through her bedroom window when the moon showed up. It looked reassuring. This was in so many ways an amicable world. Pleasant climate, friendly inhabitants, beautiful views. Hard to believe they were in such trouble.

When Derek took over the outside watch, Ken joined him and brought up the flashlight issue. “Beth told me about it. I assume you still haven’t found one?”

“No,” he said.

“I was wondering whether we couldn’t convert a lamp. Take it outside and turn it on and off? Send something in Morse code maybe? Does anybody know Morse code?”

“Not sure how we’d send a Morse code signal with a lamp. We have to find a better way.”

•  •  •

Hutch would have trusted Wally with her life. But on this occasion they needed him to make a decision that probably made no sense. He had no idea what had happened. He knew only that they’d gone missing over an ocean. And it was likely he’d assumed they were dead. Even if they weren’t, there was no reason to stay more than a few days. If they weren’t able to get back to the Eiferman, then there was no hope for them until he chased down a rescue mission. That would be at least two months. Probably longer. And the longer he waited around, the less their chances.

Or maybe it made more sense to wait. If they weren’t dead, then he’d assume the lander was damaged. How long should he wait for them to do repairs?

She lay staring up at the ceiling, listening to the wind rustling through the trees and some distant thunder. Hutch didn’t sleep well, and her discomfort increased when, after about an hour, she heard rain begin rattling down on the roof. Ordinarily, this kind of weather would have helped her relax. She enjoyed rainstorms and the occasional rumble of thunder. There was something about it that sounded lonely, that took her back to her childhood, imposing a sense of solitude and security. But on this night, they didn’t help.

In the morning, Arin was present with Beth and Ken when she came downstairs, carrying her uniform and the islander clothes she’d worn the day before. “Derek’s been outside since dawn,” said Beth. “As far as we can tell, Wally’s still there.”