They had a strictly enforced rule on the island that you couldn’t have alcohol until you were twenty-one. Of his friends, only Sadina and Dominic had reached that age. Because these types of gatherings were only meant for those who’d finished their schooling, Isaac and Miyoko were two of the few present who weren’t allowed to partake of the island specialty. Isaac had stolen a few cups over the years, but it gave him the runs.

“Seems like a weird time to turn into our granny,” Miyoko said. “No, we promise we didn’t drink the wine.”

Trish didn’t smile at that. “Good. See you at the amphitheater. Don’t be late.” She held up a hand to cut off Miyoko’s question. “No. Not here. Later. Just trust me and sit with us. Bye.”

With that, she walked off.

Isaac looked at Miyoko, who looked back, four eyes full of questions.

“Let’s go,” Isaac said.

“Yep.”

Galileo Auditorium was an outdoor theater that had been built against a natural stone cliff, backing a semicircular grouping of benches that faced a stage and one of the quieter beaches on the island. The cliff provided uncanny acoustics. Events were held at the auditorium quite often, like today’s Congress report—which were usually snooze-fests, but today Isaac couldn’t wait for it to get started. What could Trish possibly have meant, acting all clandestine and mysterious? Something’s going down, she’d said. Really? That seemed a bit much.

The place was filling up quickly. On the wide, wooden stage at the front, the prominent members of the Congress had assembled, comparing notes, arranging chairs—most of them looked unhappy, and a few fumed with anger. Their friendly debate over the strange lady and her boat must’ve been quite the doozy. Isaac wasn’t surprised. No one ever agreed on anything in the Congress.

“Sadina and Trish are toward the front,” Miyoko said, pointing to the fourth row of benches. “We better squeeze in with them.”

They maneuvered their way down, and although there wasn’t an empty spot in sight, somehow Isaac and Miyoko managed to wiggle into the sliver of air between their friends. A lady at the end of the bench yelled, “Hey, I’m barely hanging on by one cheek down here!” and everyone in range of hearing gave it a good laugh. Isaac wasn’t so sure these people understood exactly what it meant that a boat from the old world had arrived on their shores. Or maybe he was just spooked by Trish’s ominous warning.

“Hey,” Sadina whispered into his ear. She was to his right, Miyoko to his left.

“Hey, what’s going on?” he asked back. He doubted she could hear him over the buzz of the place, hundreds of people jawing and speculating. They smiled at each other, then shrugged, mutually deciding that conversation had no chance over the din.