Nicole nodded and righted herself, slipping on her familiar look of disdain. “I know. Bought and paid for by the Paters. The higher you climb, the nicer the favors.”
I followed the flight of her hand as she brushed hair off her face. Despite the darkening air and thickening mist, I could see her fading bruises had been joined by newer, fresher marks. She turned her head, revealing a bright, angry cut down her jaw that looked like it could’ve happened mere hours ago.
“Nic,” I said, the word catching in my throat. She caught my eyes and knew.
“I’m supposed to wait behind this tree.” Her voice was devoid of emotion. “See?” She pointed, and I saw the X carved into the tree trunk. “It’s all set up to make sure he’s the one who finds me.”
“Cheater.” The word burst from me.
Our eyes locked, and Nicole cracked a grin. “Right? Can’t even find a nymph in his own damn forest without an X to mark the spot.”
Her smile made my chest almost unbearably light. “They get ropes and clues, and here we are, forced to run in these monstrosities.” I fanned my wide skirt. “I thought I was going to catch this shit on a tree branch and accidentally hang myself.” Nicole barked a laugh. “Which would serve me right for putting it on in the first place.”
She clapped a hand over her mouth. It was intoxicating, laughing in the thick of danger.
Nicole pulled up her dress, flashing her torn pantyhose. “You think they could’ve at least warned us to wear long johns. Damn thing’s already full of holes. I swear to god, if we don’t get reimbursed, I’m registering a complaint with HR.”
“I’ll bring it up to the Lieutenant at my whipping.” I clutched my chest, nearly choking at my daring, at the way she tossed her head back. A line from Jamie’s podcast flitted through my mind: My transgression for the day is…
After a minute, our laughter softened, then died.
“Please,” I said into the silence. “Tell me you’ve thought about it.”
The only sounds now were the soft snapping of twigs, a lone bird trill. She leaned back against the carved tree and stared at something far away.
“Nicole?” I didn’t care that I was pressing. Seeing her again was a gift, one I’d never get with Clem or Laurel. This time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake. I wouldn’t set foot off this island without her.
Far off in the distance, I heard a whistle.
Her eyes jumped to mine. “You were right. He’s not going to let me go.”
I inched closer. “To the Hilltop?”
A branch cracked.
Her chest rose and fell. “I asked him last night when he thought I’d earn it. It’s a fair question. Most daughters want to ascend, to be with the Philosopher. It’s the whole point of our journey. But it made him angry. He says he won’t release me.” Her voice dropped. “So you can go ahead and say it.”
I shook my head.
She smiled, achingly sad. “Always the nice girl.”
“We can start running,” I said. “We can find a dock and hide on someone’s boat, or in the forest, and when they’ve gone back to the lodge, we can run to the town right off the island. My friend’s waiting there.”
She cleared her throat. “Adam knows this island like the back of his hand. And there are too many of them. Running now’s too risky.” She met my eyes. “But I will do it. I’ll take your advice and leave while I still can.”
Nicole would be saved. She wouldn’t die like Laurel and Clem, disappear like all the missing women. I threw my arms around her, hugging so tight the tree bark bit into my arms.