“Yes, but I know that’s what she would have wanted.” I force a smile. “She really liked you.”
“That’s okay.”
“But Lindsay would—”
“Look.” Warner cuts me off before I can say another word. “I’m just trying to be polite here. I don’t have the time to plan a big sad event for some girl I was going to break up with in a few weeks anyway.” He grits his teeth. “I’m sure you’ve got plenty of time to plan this, between driving your kids to soccer practice and your yoga classes.”
My mouth falls open. “I work full-time, you know. Just like you do.”
Warner snorts. “As a teacher. I’m a surgeon, Claire. There’s no comparison.”
My face burns. I know he’s upset about everything that’s happened so far, and we’re all thirsty and hot, but this guy is really showing his true colors right now. Sometimes hardship brings out the worst in people.
“Hey,” Noah says sharply. “Claire works really hard at her job, you know.”
I didn’t expect him to stick up for me. I can’t remember the last time he’s defended me. Usually I’m defending myself against his insults.
“I’m sure.” Warner rolls his eyes. “I’m sure babysitting a bunch of grade-schoolers all day is life and death.”
Noah’s face darkens, and his right hand balls into a fist. I take a step back, worried this conversation isn’t going anywhere good. In all our years of marriage, I’ve never seen Noah throw a punch, and I have no idea if he would ever do something like that. But judging by all those muscles in Warner’s chest, I’m not sure how well Noah would fare if it came down to it.
Fortunately, Jack bursts back out of the trees at that moment. His eyes are bloodshot and puffy. Was he crying just now? Is that why he left us?
“All right.” His voice is shaky. “Let’s go.”
“Jack,” I say gently. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he snaps at me. “I said let’s get going.”
Apparently, he doesn’t want to talk about it.
We still have a little while before the water is safe to drink, but we decide to get going. And now, of course, it’s back to the same. Jack and Warner （with his shirt thankfully back on） looking at the map, then studying Jack’s compass, then telling us what direction to walk in. I try to keep up with them at first, but then I end up hanging back like before. They walk faster than I do and it’s hard to keep up.
Unfortunately, this means I’m alone with my thoughts. Every time I shut my eyes for a moment, I think of Lindsay’s pale body lying on the ground in the woods. I couldn’t find her again if my life depended on it. I still feel sick that we left her there.
It’s amazing how easy life can come to an end. Just a handful of berries, and that’s it. Done. She’s gone forever.
I could have eaten those berries. I’d be lying in the dirt next to Lindsay if that happened. Noah told me he was glad I didn’t eat the berries, but I can’t imagine him crying if I died yesterday. The kids would care, my parents would care, Penny would care, but Noah? I don’t know.
Well, I can’t let myself think that way. I did survive. I got a second chance at life, and I don’t want to blow it. I realize now what’s important. Getting home and seeing my kids again. That’s all that matters anymore.
I lift my eyes—the men have gotten way ahead of me. My heart jumps in my chest and I quicken my pace. I don’t want to fall too far behind. I don’t want to disappear like Michelle did.
At the end of the hour, we sit down and drink some of the muddy water. It tastes about how you would think it would taste. I gag slightly, but it’s better than the alternative. We eat a bit more of Jack’s beef jerky and some trail mix.
“How much more food do you have?” I ask him.
Jack rifles through his backpack. He looks a lot calmer than he did this morning, like his mini-breakdown never happened. “If we conserve, maybe another day’s worth.”
Another day’s worth. We’ve got to find the inn or at least something in that time, right? “And then what?”
“Well,” Jack says thoughtfully, “there are some plants here that we could safely eat. Also, I could try shooting a rabbit.”
I clutch my chest. “You’re going to kill a bunny?” Killing Thumper would be almost as bad as killing Bambi’s mother.
“Alternatively,” he says, “we could eat bugs.”