in two days, is it even worth trying to figure out?
Dawn encroaches and the darkness fades. The diffuse light turns into actual sunshine. I dry the tears from my face, get dressed, and make my way back to the river. The fishermen are clustered by the shore, yelling and cheering. Spotting Brayden’s lanky frame, I walk to the group. “What’s going on?”
Brayden turns to me. He’s sewn strips of cloth to his ball cap to shield his neck from the sun. “A race.” He gestures to the river. Two figures slice through the waves, their powerful upper bodies rising above the water like dolphins. The cloudless blue sky shimmers overhead, and a flock of birds flies low over the river, as if they, too, hope for a view of the swimmers.
“Pride, honor, and a ration of deer jerky are at stake. Before Logan got here, see, Don was king of the water. The first time I met him, he asked me to call him Poseidon. Get it? Posei-Don.” He rolls his eyes. “I told him I’d call him ‘poser.’ I guess he got sick of everyone talking about Logan’s speed in the water, ’cause he challenged our friend to a race. They’re swimming ten laps to the crab traps and back, dragging in a load each time. Whoever finishes first wins.”
I squint at the water. Is that Logan’s head? The figures are too far away, so I can’t be sure. “Who’s winning?”
“Who do you think?” He grins. “My man Logan! It’s not even close. He’s already beating Don by over two laps.”
Well, of course he is. He’s not a future gold-star swimmer for nothing. I always knew Logan was good in the water. But I didn’t know he was this good. Even if his future memory didn’t prove his potential by showing him in the final heat, he would make the national team on his own merit. He’s that talented.
He has a brilliant future ahead of him in civilization. His memory says so, and if I needed any other proof, it’s right in front of me. He’ll have prestige and power. He’ll be a celebrity with a lifestyle to match.
My knees feel like the tallow Angela uses to light the lamps. This is why Mikey wants him to return. Not only is he essential to Harmony, but this is the future that would be taken away from him if he stayed.
A swimmer approaches the shore, a net billowing in the current beside him, and I no longer have any doubt about his identity. Who else could look so beautiful in the water? Strong, steady, sure—like a sea creature that blossoms to full potential in his natural habitat.
Mikey’s right. It’s not about whether or not we can find another way to communicate with the Underground. This isn’t the kind of talent to be wasted in Harmony. The most he can be here is a really good fisherman. Back in civilization, he could be somebody important. He could single-handedly save Harmony by stocking the backpacks. He could have the entire nation cheering him on to a gold-star win.
I place a hand on my forehead, as the ground tries to rise up to meet me.
“Are you okay?” Brayden’s freckles swim in front of my face.
“Just dizzy.” I stumble, and he wraps his arm around me, holding me up.
The real danger here is my selfish nature. I wanted to hold him in Harmony, in the middle of nowhere, and I almost begged him to stay. The thought of losing him slices through me. And yet, it’s not about me.
The dizziness passes, and I look up. Brayden’s face hovers inches from mine. The excitement in his eyes has faded, replaced by an unusual seriousness. He’s read my thoughts.
“It’s the right thing to do,” he says softly. “He’s going to be a star, Callie.”
I nod, brushing the tears off my cheeks. For once, I see the advantage of a friend who can read my mind. Brayden knows how I feel, and I didn’t have to say a word.
Impulsively, I lean forward and kiss his cheek. “Thank you. For understanding me.”
Brayden blushes. “I didn’t mean to read your mind, but I was worried.”
“I’m glad you did.”
The crowd erupts in applause and Logan pulls himself out of the river. He tosses the last net into the pile, and the fishermen converge on him, pumping his hand and slapping his back. Logan steps right through them and walks toward us.
“Great job, man. That was amazing!” Brayden extends his hand