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Down the River

Before leaving, Tally wrote a letter to herself

It was Maddy’s idea, to put her consent in writing That way, even as a pretty, unable to comprehend why she would ever want her brain fixed, Tally could at least read her oords and knoas about to happen

"Whateveras you cure me, no matter what I say Don’t leave me like Shay"

"I’ll cure you, Tally I promise I just need written consent" Maddy handed her a pen and a small, precious piece of paper

"I never learned penmanship," Tally said "They don’t require it anymore"

Maddy shook her head sadly and said, "Okay You dictate, and I’ll write it"

"Not you Shay can write it for et to the Smoke"

Tally remembered the scrawl of Shay’s directions to the Smoke, clu Shay giggled at Tally’s heartfelt words, but she wrote the earnest in the way she put stylus to paper, like a littlie learning how to read

When they were finished, David still hadn’t come back He’d taken one of the hoverboards in the direction of the ruins As she put away her things, Tally kept glancing at the , hoping he would return

But Maddy was probably right If Tally saw hiain, she would just talk herself out of this Or maybe David would stop her

Or worse, maybe he wouldn’t

But no matter what David said now, he would always remember what she had done, the lives she had cost with her secrets This was the only way Tally could be certain that he had forgiven her If he came to rescue her, she would know

"So, let’s get ," Shay said when they were done

"Shay, I’one forever I’d rather you"

"Come on I’m sick of this place"

Tally bit her lip What was the point of giving herself up if Shay was coain as well Once the cure was proven to work, they could give it to anyone

Or everyone

"The only reason I’ve been hanging around this duet you to come back," Shay said, then lowered her voice "You know, it’sby running away I owe you"

"Oh, Shay" Tally’s head began to spin She closed her eyes

"Maddy always says I can go anytio back all alone, do you?"

Tally tried to iuess not" She looked at her friend’s face and saw a spark in her eyes, so on a trip with Tally

"Please! We’ll have a blast in New Pretty Town"

Tally spread her hands "Okay I guess I can’t stop you"

They rode together on one hoverboard Croy ca on another, to take the boards back when they reached the city’s edge