“I guess I don’t understand,” Liz says slowly. “Did you run away? Is that what happened when you abandoned Aehako and Haeden and Kira?”
Abandoned. God, I guess I did, didn’t I? Because I was so dazed and caught up with my own mess that I never went back to even bury the bodies. “They were dead, Liz. There was nothing I could do.”
Silence. Then, “Whatchoo talkin’ bout, Willis?”
I snort-giggle at the saying. It reminds me of home and another wave of longing spirals through me, followed by another ache in my belly. I rub it, trying to massage away the hurt. “It’s not funny, Liz. I didn’t leave them of my own volition, but I didn’t abandon them.” I swallow hard. “I hate that I cost them their lives. I think about it all the time.”
“Uh, I hate to break up your martyr-trip and all, but no one’s dead.” Her dry voice cuts through me like a knife.
I turn so fast I get dizzy. “What?”
Liz’s brows are drawn together, her expressive face confused. “Yeah, I don’t know where you got the idea that everyone was dead? But Aehako and Haeden are fine. I mean, Aehako’s great, and Haeden’s his usual pissy self, so I guess that qualifies as ‘fine’。”
I don’t know what to think. I want to laugh with relief, but I have too many questions. “Kira — the space ship—“
“Oh, yeah.” Liz gets to her feet, ungainly for once, and as she moves, I see the swell of her belly through her clothing. “Kira went all badass on them. Crashed the damn thing into the side of a mountain and got out in an escape pod. Who knew that Eeyore had it in her, eh?” She looks proud.
“I don’t understand.”
Liz, always happy to have an opening to talk, takes the opportunity to chatter my ear off, telling me all about what happened after I was kidnapped by Rukh. Apparently somber Kira’s dashing rescue is a popular story around fires, and she embellishes the tale, going on about how Kira saved the day and took down the bad guys by her lonesome. I’m impressed, but more than anything, I’m relieved.
I’m not the cause of three deaths. No one in the tribe hates me.
I…can go back if I need to. For some reason that fills me with relief. I’ve hated the thought of being on the run, hiding from the world as if everyone will kill me if they see me. Knowing I still have friends out there? It’s a wonderful feeling.
I pace slowly as she finishes the story. I can’t get over it. Not dead. None of them. Aehako and Kira are apparently expecting a child, too. They must have resonated after I was gone.
“Now,” Liz says, moving to my side. She steers me toward the cushions again. “Why don’t you fill me in on you? What happened to you? From what Aehako said, he sent you out to get poles for a travois and you never came back. They thought a wild animal got you or something. I mean, clearly something got you,” she pats my belly. “But there are some major holes in this story that need filling in, and I’m not leaving until I get answers.”
“Isn’t someone going to come looking for you?” I ask.
“Oh, I told Raahosh I had to pee. Pregnant ladies always have to pee.” She waves a hand in the air. “He’ll think I got lost and lecture me about following tracks and blah blah.” A fond smile curves her mouth. “I’ll let him talk for a bit just to make him feel better, of course. Now tell me about you.”
“Me?” All this news must be getting to me. I feel weak and dizzy, and it’s difficult to concentrate.
“Yeah, how’d you end up on the beach? We’re a long way from the mountains, if you hadn’t noticed.”
“Why are you guys here?” I can’t help but ask.
“People are bored after the long winter and wanted a big hunt. Plus, salt stores are low, so someone suggested heading to the ocean, and we got together a party of hunters. It’s a salt-hunt,” she teases. “I told Raahosh if I don’t have salt on my morning root-potatoes, heads are gonna roll.”
I try to chuckle, but nothing comes out. I’m still overwhelmed.
“Did you come here for the salt?” she leads gently. “You and your mate?” She frowns at me and her movement turns into a blur out of the corner of my eye. “Harlow? You okay, girl? You just got really pale.”
“Just a little dizzy.” Which is weird, considering I’m sitting. But I am dizzy. I’m in a cold sweat, and nausea is creeping up my throat.
“No touch her!” Rukh’s snarled voice breaks through my muddied thoughts.