Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
AWAKE, RACHEL? PATHIK appeared, as he had for the last three mornings, holding two steaming cups of a bitter beverage the Others called root brew. He handed one to Rachel and sat down next to her. He looked weary, but he had looked that way for the whole of their short acquaintance.
She was barely awake, huddled on a crudely carved log that served as a bench, as close to the camps central fire as she could get. During the six-day hike from the Line to Pathiks base camp, Rachel had begun to believe she would never be warm again. Though it was far from luxurious, the central fire pit had become one of her favorite places in camp.
She wrapped both hands around the dented metal cup and blew on the hot liquid, wishing for some kalitea, sweetened with sugar, served up in one of Ms. Moores fine china cups. The cup she held now looked like it had been around for decades, yet it was one of the most modern thingsat least of those still in one piecethat she had seen since she arrived Away. Everywhere she looked something mutely testified to the way time had just stopped here. The few buildings left standing were shells, with empty rooms and blown-out windows. There was no running water or heat. The lighting was provided by candles or oil. When the bombs went off all those years ago and Away was born, the activation of the Line cut off much more than a way back home for these people. It cut off any sort of access to technology. The forebears of the group that lived in this camp had had to figure out how to survive. Rachel was amazed they had managed it.
Any change? Rachel tried to read Pathiks expression for news of his father, Malgam. He was the reason she had Crossed the Line; hed fallen ill and the camp healer couldnt help him. Shed helped Pathik bring medicine that the Others didnt have.
Indigo said his fever broke last night. Hes going to be okay, I think. Pathik spoke quietly; most of the camps inhabitants were still sleeping.
Indigo was Pathiks grandfather, Malgams father. Rachel had seen his face many times before she actually met him; Ms. Moore, the lady for whom Rachels mother, Vivian, worked, had had a framed digim of him on her mantel. But the man in the digim was much younger looking, and his hair had been a rich brown color. Somehow, Rachel had expected Indigo to look just like the digim, though it had been taken many years ago. When she first saw him on the night they arrived in camp, she was shocked at how his brown hair was now all silvery gray.
His eyes were the same, thoughan intense, bottomless blue. When Indigo had looked at her the evening they arrived in camp, when he had thanked her for bringing the antibiotics Malgam needed, she felt like his eyes saw inside her. His smile shone through the worry she could see in his face and made her feel like he approved of her somehow.
Do you know where my father is? she had asked. She hadnt been able to help it, though she knew she should wait, knew that he needed to focus on his son.
Your father? He had tilted his head down at her, confused.
She has a digim of Daniel. Pathik had whispered the words so the rest of the group gathered around the fire that night couldnt hear. She showed it to me. He lowered his voice even more. She says hes her father.
Indigos eyes had widened then, but he hadnt answered her question.
We will talk, he had said gently, later. He had rushed away then, to tend to his son, but something lingered in her, some sense that he was an ally. It was a comforting balm in the midst of the confusion of that nighther first night in the Others camp. She hadnt spoken to him again since then. Shed been waiting, catching glimpses of him as he went to tend to Malgam, but there had been no opportunity to speak to him.
Morning, Jab. Pathiks voice brought Rachel back to the present, back to the chilly morning air and the smoke tendrilling toward her face. She looked up and saw Jab, one of the Others who had been with Pathik when he made his trek to the Line in search of medicine. He was holding his own cup of root brew, shivering.
Have a seat. Pathik patted the log next to him. Jab glanced at Rachel and sat down.
Morning, said Jab. He stared straight ahead at the fire.
Rachel was glad Pathik sat between them, though she knew that would provide no protection if Jab decided to use his gift again, like he had the day she Crossed. She remembered the pain, that hot flash in her temple, coming from nowhere. She and Pathik had just arrived at the temporary camp where Jab and Kinec, Pathiks trek companions, waited. Rachel had been shocked that she had actually Crossed, and was just beginning to realize that she might never be able to Cross back, that she might never see her mother again. But she hadnt yet thought to fear the Others, despite all the net books she had read about them, each filled with a more spectacular horror story than the last. When Pathik told her that Jab had caused the pain she felt, she realized that she knew nothing of them, not really. For the first time she had felt afraid of what the Otherseven Pathikmight be capable of doing.
Rachel felt the faintest pang of that same fear when she saw Jab approach the fire. She knew that there had been a council meeting the night before to decide what punishment Jab would get for using his gift on her. It was forbidden for Others, at least the Others in Pathiks camp, to use their gifts without careful consideration.
Whats the verdict of the council? Pathik didnt have to elaborate on his question; Jab knew what he meant.
Im to formally apologize. Jab kept his eyes on the campfire as he spoke. To the camp and to her.
Thats all? Pathik didnt sound pleased. Thats all they expect from you?
Jab shrugged. That and Im to dredge all the common waste pots for the entire winter.
Ha! Pathik laughed. Emptying waste pots was drudgery. He was in charge of that chore for his household, so he knew it wasnt fun. But to have to do all the common pots, located throughout camp, for the entire winter? That would be a nightmare.
Serves you right, Jab, and you know it.
Jab shrugged again. He leaned forward so he could see past Pathik, and waited until Rachel turned to look at him. I do apologize, he said.
Not good enough, Jab. Pathiks voice gained an edge.
Rachel knew that Pathik could tell whether Jab was sincere by using his gift; he could sense what others were feeling. She could tell without any gift at all that Jab didnt mean a word of his apology, but she didnt really care.
Its fine, she said, turning away from Jab. She didnt want to prolong the interaction with him.
Rachel. Pathiks voice was softer now. He waited for her to look at him. When she did, he continued. Its not fine. He hurt you. Pathik held her gaze for a moment, but then color infused his cheeks and he dropped his eyes. Rachel was glad he had looked down first; something in the look they exchanged had made her feel... feelings; feelings she didnt want to think about right now. She hoped Pathik wasnt aware of them; his gift might make that possible.
A formal apology, Jab, said Pathik. As the council decreed.
