Page 25 (1/2)

Fen wrote those words for his brother, but I want to pretend that Bay wrote them for me

"Caleb also told ht and came home with his hair wet Caleb used to see Fen coo back to sleep"

"The night races," I say Those contests, which take place after the deeperous You risk hypother cells if the peacekeepers catch you But the stakes are high, and you can ht It’s a co than what Bay used to do It’s for the truly reckless

"I’ve never been to the night races," True says "I had no idea Fen was in them But I should have realized He always liked a risk That’s why I ca around to see if anyone here knew Fen They did, but none of theo Above"

"Do you think that’s how they ht races Or to swim in them" It makes sense no I’d find her next to me when I woke up, her body burrowed close for warin because reedy for my dreams?

"I think so," True says "And I think they started looking for so that had to do with yourit hard to say the words, so I do it for him

"You think," I say, "that my mother was killed Murdered"

"Yes," True says "I’m sorry"

This is all conjecture, but in spite of ht there was soht Bay would leavethat o Above? What about our mother’s death could possibly lead Bay there?

"You’re not the first one who’s suggested it," I say

"But ould someone do it?" True asks "How could anyone want to hurt Oceana the Minister?"

It’s too much I can’t think about it any in the lanes, but otten cold and Iup the note and putting it away

"You’ll get wet," I say

"That doesn’t matter," True says

The fish are fast and True and I are cluh, and that sets me free for a h, because a little of h when I do, but I letas we catch at the fish, children who used to do this in pools and streao Above

"How can you be so happy when they’re gone?" I ask "Don’t youI feel sorry "Of course I do," he says "He was my best friend I miss him all the time" He bends down, catches another fish, and I watch the muscles in his back htens up and says, "But I can’t help being happy I’ to say to that

I’m alive, he said, and he is