The Scourge (A.G. Henley) - By A.G. Henley Page 0,13

steal the water, or blame me. And his mother’s dead. She was taken by the Scourge.”

I can almost see Calli shoot Bear a warning glance. “Okay, okay, we believe you,” she says.

My friends soon start talking again, but I don’t join in. I pull my knees up and bury my face in my skirt, feeling awful. An undercurrent of unrest ripples through the cave, moving from group to group, riding the flickering light of the torches.

The Three decide I’ll fill only one bag the next day, for us. They figure that’s all I can carry back with me, and I’m not going to argue. Aloe walks with me through the passage to the mouth of the cave, her stick tapping like a heartbeat. She gives me a message to pass on to Peree: The Groundling Council of Three will allow me to resume collecting water for the Lofties when they receive an official apology from the Lofty Council for the theft of our ration.

“What if I . . . what if . . .” I can’t admit my doubts out loud.

“I tried to explain to the others how difficult the first few days among the creatures are. That you may not be at all certain what you did or didn’t do. But Adder would not be swayed, and in the end Sable agreed, to pacify him. I was outvoted.” She sounds so tired.

“But this is going to antagonize the Lofties!”

“I know. Adder seems determined to start something with them, something that won’t end well for either side.”

“What should I do, then?”

I feel her draw herself up to her full height. “Your duty, as we all must.”

She embraces me at the mouth of the cave. I hang on to her for a moment, like I used to when I was frightened by a thunderstorm, or by stories the older children told of the flesh-eaters. But instead of pulling me into the comfort of her thin chest like she would have then, she presses me away.

“Be safe, child.”

Despite her words, I think my childhood is now behind me.

I enter the forest, wondering when and how to give Peree the Council’s message. Do I get our water and then tell him? Or tell him first? What’s the protocol for picking a fight? Or did the Lofties already pick one by stealing our water?

“Good morning,” Peree calls. “No sightings of fleshies in the forest this morning. We might be in luck.”

“Really? They’re gone?” If the Scourge left, maybe it will smooth over the conflict. The caves seem to drive people to do foolish, reckless things. Daylight rights their sense of perspective.

“No, they’re by the water hole. I meant you should be able to get a little farther without drawing their attention.”

“Oh.”

“But I have a surprise for you.” He sounds excited, his voice higher than normal.

I have a surprise for you, too, and it’s not a good one. “What is it?”

“You’ll see.”

“I’ll see? That is a surprise.” It’s a bad joke, I know. He groans, and I laugh, until I remember what I’m about to do. I walk on in silence.

It’s quiet—quiet enough to hear the birds singing in the trees far above. It’s also sweltering. Full summer arrived while we hid in the caves. I blot my forehead with my sleeve, and wonder if it’s any cooler in the trees. I ask him without thinking: “What’s it like up there?”

He hesitates. “Leafy.”

I flush; of course a Lofty won’t tell me anything about his beloved trees. After a moment he asks, “What’s it like down there?”

“Hot,” I mutter as I move to the front of the sled to strap the harness on. I take off down the track.

“Fenn, wait—your surprise! Reach inside the sled.”

I shove my hand in the back. All I find is a coil of scratchy rope. I hold it up questioningly.

“There’s a loop at the end,” he says. “Put it around your waist.”

“Why?”

“Yesterday you looked like you wanted to swim. I’ve got the other end tied up here. You can swim out for as long as you like, and when you’re ready to come in, I’ll pull you back to shore.”

I move my hand up the rope. Sure enough, it’s hanging from the trees. I give it a tug. Feels secure.

“Really? You would do that?” I ask him. I doubt the other Lofties would be thrilled about Peree helping me take a swim while they wait for their water. I don’t even want to think about what my Council would say. “Did