Page 64 (1/2)

“Not if we bury them,” Banks breathes

I nod “We’ll coht, Kits I have those shovels at camp” Pooper scoopers, Winona calls the latrines

Noe’re going to be digging graves

“Okay,” Akara says and looks to Banks “After yo—”

“No way in hell,” Banks refutes “You’re not following behind again We walk side-by-side together this time so I can have your six”

Akara winces, ht you hatedthe calls, Banks”

“But this one is too easy”

“My vote is with Banks,” I tell Akara “And I know I’et a vote, but I’ht now So it’s two-to-one You’re outvoted”

His smile looks like it aches to rise “No I’ with you”

And that’s how it goes Step-by-step, we trek to our secluded caet, the tighteratconcern

Shoes crunching leaves, our empty camp comes into view Darkness has nearly set in, and I’ a couple battery-operated lanterns froht

One tent

The emptiness of the tent doesn’t feel as safe as the spot between Akara and Banks I venture back out to the fire pit Where they both are popping lids to two First-Aid kits

Once un He says nothing to ht it, man”

“Hey, I’ to take my job” He sits down on a tree stump

I co topless, Kits?” His shirt hangs by one inch of fabric at his shoulder

“Rip it,” he tells me

To do that, I’ll have to put the gun down Instead, I decide to lean in and take the fabric in my teeth I tear it off easily, and the bloodied shirt falls to the ground

Akara watchessecond, and when oing to have to set it down eventually”

“Not yet” It scares me how much my voice shakes

“Okay” There’s pain behind his eyes A different kind of pain He knows it’s not okay I’m not okay