Kayla's brow furrowed in concentration. A cool chill swept over Skye, and she idly rubbed the goose bumps prickling her arms.
Kayla pointed to the other side of the room. “I think it's on the floor behind that crate.”
Skye paused, glancing in the direction Kayla indicated. There was no sign of the testing meter from where she was standing, but her instincts warned her it was there. Skye walked over to the crate and leaned over to peer behind it. There, wedged between the wall and the floor, was the testing meter.
Reaching into the narrow crevice, she pulled out the device. It should have been impossible. If Kayla hadn’t told them where it was, they likely wouldn’t have found it for days or even weeks. Skye turned around to find Kayla watching her with a worried expression.
“You found it!” Veridian rushed over to Skye to retrieve the piece of equipment.
Careful to keep her voice quiet so no one outside the room could overhear, Skye asked, “How did you know it was there, Kayla?”
Kayla's eyes widened, a look of guilt on her face, but she didn't answer. Veridian frowned and held the testing meter against his chest.
Skye walked over to Kayla and crouched down in front of her. “You’re not in any trouble, sweetheart. Can you tell me how you knew it was there?”
Kayla shook her head, her expression growing panicked. Skye frowned. The last thing Skye wanted to do was frighten Kayla. In an effort to reassure her, Skye reached over to take Kayla’s small hand. The little girl was trembling.
Skye hesitated, not wanting to upset Kayla any further—she’d been through so much. Maybe sharing something about herself might help. “Can I tell you a secret, Kayla? It's something only Veridian and one other person knows.”
In a shaky voice, Kayla asked, “What secret?”
Skye smiled and ran her thumb over Kayla’s hand. “Sometimes, I get feelings about people or things. I don’t like to tell anyone because a lot of them don’t understand.”
Kayla’s eyes widened. “You do?”
Skye nodded. “That’s how I found you that day in the ruins. Something led me to you. I knew I had to find you and protect you. I’ve always told Veridian it’s important to trust your instincts. Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense, but it usually works out in the end.”
“You heard it too,” Kayla whispered. “The voice said you'd protect me.”
Skye froze. It wasn't possible. She swallowed. “You heard a voice in the ruins?”
“I wanted to find it for Daddy,” Kayla whispered, her eyes shimmering with tears. “But now he’s gone too. They’re all gone. It's all my fault. I miss my mommy and daddy.”
Skye’s heart clenched at the pain in Kayla’s eyes. “Oh, sweetheart,” she murmured, reaching out to hug Kayla. The little girl threw her arms around her neck, and Skye’s heart broke just a little more. She ran her hand over Kayla’s hair and held her as she cried. “It's not your fault, Kayla. What happened could never be your fault.”
“Mom?” Veridian took a step toward them.
Skye reached out her other arm and wrapped it around Veridian. He leaned against her and patted Kayla's back in a reassuring gesture.
“Don't cry, Kayla. Look…” Veridian held up the testing meter in his hand. “Wanna learn how to use it?”
Kayla sniffed and turned her head to blink up at Veridian. She rubbed her eyes. “You’ll show me? Chance won’t get mad?”
Veridian shook his head. He handed Kayla the testing meter. “Chance is my friend. I bet he’ll be your friend too.”
Skye blinked back her tears and gently tousled Veridian's hair. It was just like her son to try to fix things, including hurt feelings. He had such a good heart. She hoped he'd never have cause to harden it.
Kayla sniffled again and took the testing meter. “Okay. What do I do?”
Veridian turned the dials on the face of the testing meter. “It’s not hard. The machine does most of the work. We just have to test all the different pieces in the computer to find the bad one. Rebuilding it is the best part. Chance usually lets me use his tools. One day, I’ll get my own.”
Kayla studied the testing meter in her hand. “Will I get my own tools too one day?”
Skye smiled and tucked Kayla's loose hair behind her ear. “If that's what you want, I'm sure we can figure something out. You'll need to become really good at using them first.”
Kayla nodded, a look of determination in her eyes. “I will.”
“Then we'll make it happen,” Skye promised.
Kayla stared down at the testing meter. “How do you know it’s telling the truth?”
Skye arched a brow. “What do you mean?”
Kayla looked up at her, her eyes still shining with her recently shed tears. “How do you know the meter is working right? If it says a part is bad, how do you know it’s telling the truth? Does… does it ever lie?”
Skye paused, wondering if Kayla was asking about something more than just the testing meter. “That’s a really good question,” Skye admitted with a small smile. She had the impression Kayla could use a distraction right about now, and she had a perfect one. “Equipment doesn’t lie, but it can stop working properly. We run calibration tests to make sure it’s telling us the truth. But you brought up a good point. That testing meter you’re holding is probably due for another check. Veridian, why don’t you show Kayla how to make sure it’s working properly before you start troubleshooting the components?”
“Aw, Mom,” Veridian grumbled.
Skye’s smile deepened. “Kayla should know how to do this if she's going to be an expert one day. Besides, if she learns how to do it, that will be one less responsibility for you.”
Veridian’s eyes lit up, and he motioned for Kayla to follow him. “Come on, Kayla. I’ll show you. The calibration equipment is in the other room.”
Skye stood just as footsteps sounded behind her.
“Skye, I need a word with you.”
She tensed at the sound of Daryl's voice. Turning around, she saw Daryl and Alanza had entered the room. Skye glanced over at the children, but Alanza shook her head in warning. Daryl must have specifically asked her to leave Niko’s side to watch the children. An unmistakable trace of pity was in Alanza’s eyes as she offered, “I’ll keep an eye on them while you’re talking to Daryl.”
Skye frowned and nodded, turning to follow Daryl into the other room. He led her into the small room he’d been using as his private area. Chance was already inside, which only reaffirmed her suspicions. He leaned against the wall, an apology in his eyes as he regarded her. Well, that cleared things up. At least now she knew why Daryl wanted to speak with her.
She ignored Chance and turned back to Daryl, waiting for him to begin this conversation. They both knew why he’d brought her in here, but she didn’t intend to make this easy on him.
Daryl sighed. “It’s been three days, Skye. Leo’s not back yet. We don’t know if something happened to him, but we need to assume the worst.”
“Don’t,” she said, a lump forming in her throat. She couldn’t think such a thing. The thought of a life without Leo was unfathomable. If Leo was still alive, he’d return to her. Until she had confirmation otherwise, she had to believe he was okay. “Leo will be back.”
Daryl fell silent for a long time. “I hope you're right, but I can't delay this any longer.” He gestured to Chance and added, “Chance is going to take Kayla to one of the family camps. If Leo comes back, we can let her camp know where we’ve taken her.”
“Fuck that,” Skye said, straightening and darting her gaze back and forth between the men. “You think I’m going to make this easy on you? You can’t send her there. She’ll never survive without someone to look after her. She's just a child.”
Daryl’s eyes narrowed. “I can’t keep her here. I know you care about her, but she's not your responsibility. As it is, we’ve already taken on the burden of helping you with Veridian. With both of those kids here, you haven’t been out to scavenge anyth
ing for days.”
“I paid you to allow me to keep Veridian here,” she reminded him, her tone sharper than it should have been, but how dare he insinuate her son was a burden. Veridian helped out in the camp as much as possible. The older he got, the more he’d continue to contribute. “And I’ve been working nonstop over the past several days taking care of our injured and repairing equipment, including that old cooling unit we thought was defunct.”
“I don’t need more techs,” Daryl snapped. “I need scavengers who aren’t busy babysitting some snot-nosed brats. If you can’t help us find items to trade, I can’t keep this camp running. Those artifacts keep us fed. That's what you promised me when I took you on, Skye.”
“Then I’ll go back into the ruins. Put me on the roster tomorrow with Chance. Alanza will watch the kids for me.”
Daryl crossed his arms over his chest. “Alanza’s taking care of Niko, and she’s got her own problems with me. Face it, Skye, the girl’s got to go. I can’t have two children running around my scavenging camp. If they were older, I could put them to work, but they’re just a drain on our supplies.”
“It’s for the best, Skye,” Chance added. “She’s not your kid. Don’t take on the responsibility for her.”
Skye took a steadying breath, a cold chill flooding through her at the thought of sending Kayla away. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she abandoned Kayla to one of those camps. “If you’re that determined to get rid of her, I’ll take her to the family camp.”
“Good.” Daryl walked over to a crate he’d been using as a table. “Chance can drop her off. I’ll put you on the schedule with him tomorrow to go back into the ruins, but I want results from both of you. We’re too far behind, especially now with Leo missing.”
“No.”
Daryl lifted his head and narrowed his eyes on her. “This isn’t a negotiation.”
“I’m not negotiating. You’re misunderstanding,” she said, putting her hands on her hips. “I’ll take Veridian and Kayla to the family camp, but I’m staying with them until Leo gets back. She’s already lost her family. I will not abandon an innocent little girl.”
“Out of the question. If you walk out that door, you’re gone for good,” Daryl warned in a low voice. “I won’t take you back.”
Chance pushed away from the wall, his eyes wide. “You can’t want this, Skye. Leo would go out of his mind if he knew you were thinking about walking away. Don’t give up your life and Veridian’s life here over this.”
Ignoring Chance, Skye lifted her chin and took a step toward Daryl. “If we’re the type of people who would be willing to do this to a defenseless child, then it just shows how far we’ve fallen. Survival is about more than putting food in our bellies. The soul can wither and die too.” She gestured toward the door. “That child out there—both of those children—they’re our future. We’re setting the example they’re going to spend their lives following. If we don’t show them compassion and teach them to be better than this, we’re dooming all of us. I will not be a part of this.”
Daryl’s jaw clenched. “So be it. Chance can drop all three of you off.”
Chance frowned, his gaze darting back and forth between them. “Daryl, maybe we can give Leo a few more days. We need Skye here, especially with so many of our people hurt. She’s a damned good scavenger and you know it.”
Daryl scowled. “If you want to join them at the family camp, go ahead. I need people in this camp who will follow orders. If you want to hold on to your pathetic ideals, leave. I have dozens of people who would give up anything to be a part of this camp. You’re all replaceable.”
“Chance, let it go,” Skye said, unwilling to let him get thrown out too. Other than Leo, Chance was the best scavenger they had. She wouldn’t let him sacrifice himself because of a promise he’d made to Leo on her behalf. “I’ll get my things and be gone within the hour.”
“Chance will drop the three of you off with the cargo vehicle,” Daryl said, turning back to his tablet.
Skye paused, her eyes narrowing. “I’m taking a speeder.”
Daryl lifted his head again. “You don’t have a speeder to take, Skye.”
She glared at him and took a step toward him. “I came here with a speeder. I intend to take one with me when I leave.”
“You signed over everything to me when you came here,” Daryl reminded her. “That speeder belongs to me. You can take your personal possessions, but that’s it.”
Skye clenched her fists. Without a vehicle, she couldn’t even escape from the family camp without depending on someone else or stealing from someone less fortunate. She’d hoped to at least have the ability to scavenge and buy additional supplies from a trading camp. “You have no right, Daryl.”
Daryl’s gaze hardened. “I have every right. You made the offer eight years ago. I simply accepted it. You can’t change the terms of that agreement now. If you don’t like it, that’s too damn bad. Leaving with those kids is your choice. Stay or not, but the girl goes and the speeder stays.”
Skye held his gaze for a long moment, understanding immediately why he was doing this. By refusing to allow her a speeder, he was trying to force her into accepting his terms. He’d sorely miscalculated her determination and the consequences of his decision though.
When Leo returned, he’d be furious when he found out Daryl had forced this issue. Over the past few years, many of the people in the camp had begun following Leo. The leadership in the camp was already beginning to shift. Many of them now came to Leo for direction before turning to Daryl. Leo may not be pushing for it yet, but Daryl had to know his days were numbered. If he risked alienating Leo, those days might be even fewer.
Daryl wasn’t a fool. He knew how Leo felt about her. Even though she and Leo had tried to be discreet, the camp was too small for people not to pick up on certain intimacies. Daryl most likely didn’t care if Skye stayed or went, except to keep his position secure. In fact, he’d probably prefer she was gone. With Leo’s absence, many people in the camp were turning to her instead. And she didn’t have the same respect or loyalty toward Daryl that Leo possessed.
Her mouth curved in a small smile, just enough to let Daryl know they understood one another. “Enjoy the speeder, Daryl. I suspect you may be the one needing it more once Leo gets back.”
Without saying another word, she turned and headed out of the room to collect her belongings.
Chance jogged after her. “Skye, I’m sorry. I asked him to wait, but—”
She held up her hand to stop him. “Don’t. I appreciate what you tried to do in there, but it’s not up to any of us. It was just a matter of time before Daryl kicked me out anyway. We all knew this was coming. At least I go on my terms this way.”
“It’s not right,” he said quietly.
“No, it’s not,” she agreed, walking into the crew’s quarters. They didn’t have much as far as possessions went, but she’d take what she could. Heading over to her bed, she pulled out her scavenging bag.
Chance crouched down beside her. “You don't have to do this. We can figure out something else. Maybe if I talk to some of the others—”
“The decision's been made. This isn't your fight.”
Chance frowned. “I can't stop you, can I?”
She paused, tilting her head to regard him. “No, but I appreciate the thought. I meant what I said. I won't abandon Kayla.”
His shoulders slumped, and he nodded. “I know it's not much, but I’ll bring you supplies whenever I can. And as soon as Leo gets back, I’ll tell him where you went. He won’t let you stay there.”
Skye gave him a small smile and started rolling up her sleeping mat. “If Leo were able to come back, he would have already been here by now. You know that.” She paused, lowering her head, and tried to ignore her breaking heart. She didn’t want to stay here if Leo was truly gone. She would have left Daryl’s camp a long time ago if it weren’t for Leo. Blinking back the tears that threatened to fall, she foc
used on collecting her belongings.
Chance sighed and pulled out his knife. He held it out to her hilt first and said, “Take it. Do what you need to do to survive.”
She nodded and accepted the blade, touched he'd given her such a valuable gift. Leaning over, she kissed his cheek. “I always have, Chance.”
Chapter Eight
Despair and sickness had a distinctive smell, and it permeated the air of the family camp. The pungent stench wafted out from some of the buildings in the old converted town. Buildings had been retrofitted to provide some measure of temporary shelter, but it was clear this was a place that afforded little.
Chance frowned at her. “Skye, maybe we can—”
She gave him a curt shake of her head. “It’s fine. Get gone, Chance. I can’t have you here.”
He hesitated, and she shot him a warning look. It was going to be difficult enough to find a place here, but if they thought she had friends in the scavenging camps, people would be drawn to her for all the wrong reasons. Although, there weren’t many right ones.
Chance gave her a nod and walked toward the cargo vehicle. She ignored him and motioned for Veridian and Kayla to keep close. On the way to the family camp, she’d given them warnings to make themselves as unobtrusive as possible. Skye hefted the heavy bag over her shoulder and headed deeper into the family camp. Her other hand rested on the knife at her side as her gaze swept over the people they passed.
She’d learned in her early years to pay close attention to the surroundings but try to remain part of the background. Unfortunately, any time there were new arrivals in a camp, all attention shifted to them. They were already being sized up, and Skye knew they were noting their better-quality clothing and healthier pallor. It was a clear sign they weren’t simply transplants from another family camp.
A woman with a hardened expression leaned against one of the buildings and crossed her arms as they approached. She was most likely a handful of years older than Skye, but her cheeks were sunken and her eyes tired, giving her the appearance of being much older.
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