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Aron didn’t need to elaborate Of course I’d already heard the latest gossip I dropped my voice too, as I scooted closer to hiot her whole family? Did they take her parents and her brothers and sisters?"

Brook joined us then and inized the hushed tone and the way our eyes darted nervously, watching everyone and trusting no one "Cheyenne?" she asked in a half whisper

I reached intoand handed Brook the lunch my mother had prepared for her, just as she had every day since Brook’s own mother had died

She sat down on the other side of Aron, our three heads ducking close

Aron nodded, his eyesthe night and took only her She’s being held at the palace for questioning, but it doesn’t look good Word is, there was real evidence this ti boythe way He didn’t talk to anyone, justhis step As a laise So within the walls of our school--except during the Pledge--he wasn’t perathered refuse

He was scarcely older than Angelina--six, maybe seven B2;si sevenÔwith unruly black hair and calluses on his dirty bare feet With his head down, I couldn’t see the color of his eyes

He paused beside us, waiting to see if we had any trash he could collect Instead, I reached into my own lunch and pal certain that no one else could see it in ht lift his, but he never did

When he ithin reach, I slipped hie fro of it

The boy took the cookie, just as he did every day, and while I’d hoped to see eagerness or gratitude froot neither His expression remained blank, his eyes averted He was carefuland smart Smarter than me, it seemed

As he padded away, I saw him slip the cookie into his pocket, and I smiled to myself

Brooklynn’s voice drew my attention "What kind of evidence did they find?" she asked Aron, her voice tight News of Cheyenne’s iy

Unfortunately, however, Cheyenne wasn’t alone Whispers of disloyalty to the crown had begun to take root, starting like a virus and spreading like a plague It infected and corrupted ordinary citizens, as rewards were being offered to those willing to report anyone they suspected of subversion People turned against one another, seeking inforhbors, even faain favor with the queen Trust had become a commodity that few could afford

And real evidence--the kind that could be substantiated beyond petty gossip--was deadly

"They foundto the resistance"

Brook’s lips tightened, and her head dropped "Damn"

But I wasn’t convinced "How can they be certain they’re rebel old-flecked eyes stared back at me "Her brother told me It was her father who turned her in"