you get permission?”
“What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”
I’m astonished at his daring, touched by his thoughtfulness, guilty I’m even considering it, and more than a little worried we’ll be caught. But the temptation of escaping the heat, the tension, and especially the fleshies is more than I can resist. I throw the rope over me and secure it around my waist, grab the sled, and hurry down the hill to the water’s edge.
The creatures surround me, but I dart past them. I drop the sled at the end of the track and kick off my shoes. When the water reaches my torso I spread my arms wide and dive forward, the rope trailing behind me. It’s cool, but not cold. Blissful.
I swim out, using a strong overhand stroke, putting a little distance between myself and the shore. Then I stop, tread water, and listen behind me. The flesh-eaters sound distant already. So it’s true, they don’t swim. I laugh like a child who got away with something naughty, and turn over to float on my back. With my ears underwater, their cries are muffled. I lay like that, basking in the warmth and the relative silence.
I swim around, flipping from my front to my back, careful to keep the rope from tangling around me. Whenever I feel like escaping the noisy reminder of what waits for me on the shore, I dive underwater. My dress is waterlogged and heavy. I want to take it off, but of course I can’t. Not with a male Lofty audience on shore.
What possessed Peree to arrange this treat for me? Was he only being nice? Was it a bribe? I bolt up at the thought. Did he do it so he’d have something to hold over my head? Like, I have to bring the Lofties extra water or he’ll tell about the swim? Why did I trust him so readily? What am I doing enjoying a swim, anyway, while my community holes up in the caves, waiting for water?
Diving again, I kick toward the bottom. The grasses slip through my grasping fingers. I hold my breath and fight to remain in the safe, alien world for as long as I can. When I start to feel light-headed, I surge back up to the surface, gasping. Then I tug on the rope to tell Peree I’m ready to come back. Even though I’m not.
The rope tightens around me, towing me in. I don’t resist, but I don’t help either. The cries of the creatures swell, and my anxiety surges apace. What will Peree ask for in return for this reprieve? My feet graze the sandy bottom, and I stand up and loosen the loop of rope. One of the creatures moans, panting its reeking breath in my face. Welcome back.
I throw my end of the rope in the sled, then fill one of the empty sacks and load it. Water streams from my sopping dress as I haul the sled to the top of the hill.
Peree calls to me from the trees. “How was your swim?”
No matter what the consequences, I owe him a sincere thank-you. “Wet, and wonderful. You have no idea how wonderful. I feel human again for the first time since the Scourge came. Thank you, Peree.”
“You’re welcome,” he says, sounding pleased. “Hey—why did you only fill one sack? Now you’ll have to make extra trips.”
I stiffen. Here it comes. “How many sacks do you need?”
“Normal ration. Two.”
My body relaxes. So Peree didn’t arrange the swim as some kind of bribe. He isn’t asking for a favor. He wanted me to be able to escape the flesh-eaters for a few minutes, to swim on a hot day and enjoy myself.
The Three will be furious with me if I don’t follow their directive and give him their message. But how can I tell Peree now that there will be no water for the Lofties at all? That he, or someone he cares about, will have to suffer?
I can’t.
I hope I look genuine as I smack my head, and smile up at him. “With the excitement of the swim and everything I forgot to fill the second sack! Here, take this one up and I’ll go fill two more. My Council only asked for one sack, but we need it before dark. I’ll take it back with me.”
“Take it back with you? How?”
“I’ll drag it. So let me fill two more, and we can be on our way.”
“I don’t get it. Why–”
“Peree, please,