“You’re right about that,” Stormy murmured. She sighed.

“What?” Bugz noticed something in the other girl’s demeanor.

“Nothing.”

“No, you look like you’re thinking of something.”

Stormy paused for too long to be able to dismiss the idea. The dread crept closer.

“What is it?” Bugz asked.

“Do you believe what the old people say about onjine? About patai’itiwin?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like onjine means karma, right? And patai’itiwin is karma too, except what goes around comes back around to your kid instead of you?”

“What are you getting at, Stormy?”

“Just…I heard my grandma and some others talking about Waawaate being sick. They were saying it’s because your dad used to be pretty bad when he was younger. Fights and stuff. Drinking. Do you ever wonder if…” Stormy slowed as a scowl settled on Bugz’s face. “Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

Bugz thought for a moment. “That’s messed up, Stormy. My dad would never do anything to hurt Waawaate.” In spite of the defense she mounted, a seed of doubt had been planted in Bugz’s mind. “I’m gonna go for a walk. Sorry to waste your time.”

“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” Stormy scanned Bugz’s expression. “I’ll wait here for a bit in case you want to talk some more.”

Bugz walked across a gravel parking lot opposite the picnic table. She noticed her father’s empty truck parked with the windows rolled down. Her memory of how he’d counseled her brother about making his final journey played on the raw wound Stormy had just inflicted.

“Hey, Buggy,” her father’s voice called out behind her.

She turned to face Frank.

“Don’t call me that. You know I hate it.” She glared at her father, wishing her eyes were capable of shooting lasers.

“I’m sorry.”

“Everything was bad and you made it worse.” Bugz seethed. The look of bewilderment on Frank’s face only made her angrier. “And instead of helping, you’re talking to Waawaate about dying?”

“I…I didn’t say that.”

“Why did you say anything?” Bugz turned and stomped off. She heard Frank’s footsteps behind her. “Stay the hell away from me.”

“I know you’re mad, but can we just talk?”

“Talking ain’t going to help the way I’m feeling right now!”

Bugz bolted for the tree line at the edge of the parking lot. But her father chased after her and, when he caught up, wrapped her in a bear hug. She thought of the Clan:LESS horde that had cornered her in the forest. She struggled against him furiously and broke free.

“Get off, get off, get off!” she shouted. Her father glanced nervously at Stormy, who was watching from a distance. “Get away from me!” Bugz shouted again. “I hate you!”