“Unless there’s a river nearby.”

“Of course!” His eyes lit up. “Yes! Even if it doesn’t take us all the way, it’s safer and easier than trekking through the jungle. I mean, there are risks, but…”

He stopped at the sound of someone climbing the steps. They both turned to look as Naomi came in. She was tall, incredibly beautiful, and played tennis at the semi-pro level. Principal Freeman never failed to brag that one day she’d be Naomi Kang, Wimbledon champion. But despite all her gifts, she didn’t seem to have many friends, either.

She smiled when she noticed them staring and said, “I need to pee.”

“Be my guest.” Barney gestured with a flourish toward the toilet he’d already worked on. “There’s no flush, but gravity will be your friend.”

Tom couldn’t help but laugh. Naomi smiled uncertainly and went into the bathroom.

They hadn’t heard him approaching but George appeared then and looked at Tom and said, “Can I have a word?”

Tom shrugged. He’d never had so many people want to talk to him.

Barney took that as his cue to leave. “I’ll get back to work.”

George watched Barney go, puzzled, as if he’d never noticed him before, and once they were alone, he said to Tom, “I overheard Alice and Lara talking. If you’re gonna get out of here, I’d like to come, if you don’t mind. Joel’s okay, I guess, but staying here, it’s not an option.”

Tom shrugged again, though he was beginning to wonder who wouldn’t be coming with him.

“Sure. We’ll be going day after tomorrow, if there’s no sign of a rescue.”

“Great. I know we’ve never spoken before, but I really appreciate this.” Tom nodded and George started to walk away. But before disappearing he turned back to Tom. “I quit the football team a month ago. They weren’t happy about it. It’s why I wasn’t sitting with them.”

“Okay. I’m not sure why you’re telling me, but… okay.”

He smiled, a touch of humor as he said, “I know. I guess I just needed to tell somebody—leaving the team’s the only reason I’m alive.” Tom nodded, and George walked away.

The bathroom door opened then, and Naomi stepped out and said, “I’ll come too. If I can. I want to come with you guys.”

“Okay.”

She seemed thrown that he’d said yes so easily, and as if feeling she still needed to persuade him, she said, “Thanks. I’m… well, I guess I’m kind of an outsider here.”

“You and me both, but don’t worry, I won’t leave you behind.”

“Thank you.”