Nil Unlocked

by Lynne Matson

  Zane grabbed Jillian’s hand. “C’mon, Jills, Skye’s dad said he’s got chips and Coke. Man, I’ve been jonesing for a Dorito.” She didn’t smile, but Jillian followed Zane. Macy linked her arm through Jillian’s, whispering in her ear. Slowly the group dwindled to two.

  It was just me and Skye.

  I placed my hands on her waist; her hands rested on my shoulders. Our lips were centimeters apart.

  “Do you hear that?” I said softly.

  She closed her eyes, listening. “What is it?” she whispered.

  “Silence.” I brushed a kiss against her forehead, then another on her eyebrow and one on her cheek. “No clock.” I kissed her other cheek. “No rush.”

  Her lips met mine, and in that moment I knew. She knew.

  The tick-tock was gone.

  All that was left was more.

  EPILOGUE

  SKYE

  SIX WEEKS LATER

  Reentry has been swift and strange and impossible to completely process. My uncle’s journal didn’t prepare me for the weeks post-Nil. I don’t think it could’ve, not really. My post-Nil world is totally different from his, just like my experience on Nil was not the same.

  I have support he never had—Rives, and Jillian. And they have me.

  And yet, Nil still creeps into this world.

  I still stiffen as the sun sits high, just for a second, surprised that I don’t need to run. I still think of the Wall at random moments, wondering if Paulo filled in the blanks. I still wake in the night reaching for my rock sling.

  Nil habits die hard, and new ones are hard to break.

  I still dream of blackness, the hollow blackness of the doorway between worlds. I dream I’m lost. Fading, until I reach for Rives. Always, I reach. And always, I hear him.

  Jillian still dreams of Dex.

  His death overshadowed the boat ride back.

  Dad did all the talking. The rest of us sat around and ate, staring at nothing and everything and struggling to grasp that we were free of Nil. I never let go of Rives’s hand, and he never let go of mine.

  Dad was our island savior in waiting.

  After I’d vanished that night, he’d taken an indefinite leave of absence from his job. He’d set up camp out on the Death Twin island, after finding, of all things, one of my blue hair ties in the woods near the carving. He’d watched, waited, and paid special attention to every astronomically significant event, realizing I’d disappeared on the Winter Solstice. He’d also paid a private captain a ridiculous amount of money to bring a large boat to the island fully stocked with necessities—including two bins of clothes. When I asked why he had so many clothes, he smiled, saying, “Hopeful realist, remember? I took a chance.”

  We all did, I think.

  Mom and Dad are talking again. He’s making plans to visit her in Africa and considering quitting his job altogether. He didn’t say it, but I’m pretty sure he’s finally given up his island quest. When it’s been found, what’s left?

  The rest of us have made a pact. Among ourselves, and with our families. Not to go public about Nil, because we all agreed the exposure would give Nil power over our lives here, and we’ve already given the island enough. And we honestly can’t figure out how going public would do anyone any good. Gates are impossible to avoid if one has your name on it. But we’ll stay in touch, and stay together. Our bonds are island-made, island-strong. I guess we have to thank Nil for that.

  Rives and I are definitely more.

  I’ve met his parents and he’s met mine; we’d all spent a week together in the islands after our return. We don’t know what we want to do yet, or where we we’ll go, but we have time, without pressure.

  And we have each other. Here, in this world, in the now.

  Right now we’re in Kona. Tish will meet us in Paris next week, but this stop is just for us. For Nil survivors. A reunion, and a good-bye. Kiera’s dad bought everyone’s tickets and paid for the hotel, too. It turns out she’s got more money than the rest of us put together.

  As twilight fell, we walked to the edge of the sea, leaving our mark in black sand the color of a Nil night. Rives and I stood beside each other, fingers entwined like two halves of one whole. Charley and Thad stood to Rives’s left; Zane, Jillian, Ahmad, Kiera, and Macy were to my right. Jason couldn’t come; his parents said no. Too young, he grumbled over the phone to Rives. Maybe I’ll catch the next one. Same for Miya and a few others.

  The next one.

  Because there would be more Nil reunions. We have time.

  We all faced the water, cups in hand, our feet grounded in safety, a bittersweet peace that still felt unfair.

  The setting sun brushed the water, and Rives raised his cup high.

  “To Dex,” he said quietly. “A bloody good friend. I’ll never forget you. I hope you’re up there, raising your cup, too. We love you, man.” He tipped up his cup and drank.

  “To Dex,” I murmured. Dex finally got his cuppa tea. Grief and guilt mingled with free will and fate. I had chosen, like Nil. Like Dex.

  Rives dropped his cup on the sand and wrapped his arms around my waist.

  “You okay?” he asked me, his eyes brilliant green.

  “I will be,” I said, reaching up to pull him close.

  He nodded. I knew he understood, that he felt the same way.

  We will be.

  Rives kissed me, then slid his fingers through mine.

  Thad clapped Rives on the shoulder. Something unspoken passed between them. The first time Rives and Thad saw each other this afternoon, they had hugged long and tight with no words. Sometimes there are no words, I’ve decided. Sometimes you need to feel what’s real.

  Thad looked at me, his blue eyes glistening in the fading light. “I can’t thank you enough for saving my boy, Skye. This is a good man here.” He squeezed Rives’s shoulder.

  “I know.” I smiled. Rives winked.

  Thad grinned. “And hell if it doesn’t feel good to know you outfoxed Nil. Beat her at her own game.”

  Did we? I thought. I wasn’t sure. I wasn’t sure if we’d won or lost or just broke even. Sometimes I wondered if we’d just reset the clock.

  Charley walked up, her golden eyes sad and warm in the setting sun. “You did it, Skye,” she said, smiling. “After you left that day, I had the craziest feeling you would. You got what you wished for.” Her eyes slid to Rives, slightly mischievous. “Or maybe something better?”

  “Definitely better.” I smiled. “Something I never imagined.”

  “I know what you mean.”

  Her eyes found Thad. They were always finding Thad.

  Charley and Thad together were intense. Like crazy intense. They had some kind of silent communication, and heat crackled between them. A small ring graced Charley’s finger. A promise ring, she’d said with a smile.

  My hand crept to my neck, finding my gift from Rives. A rough unpolished diamond on a simple silver chain, a replica of the stone he’d given me for my birthday on Nil. I like that most people have no clue it’s a diamond; they think it’s just a pretty rock. But it’s so much more.

  I know.

  I glanced at Rives. He was watching me, his eyes full of fire and heat just for me. He smiled, his dangerous smile I knew so well, and I felt luckier than any person had a right to be.

  “Geez.” Jillian rolled her eyes. “You two are as bad as they are.” With a laugh, she tipped her head toward Charley and Thad before glancing back at Rives. “It’s like you read his mind.”

  Sometimes I do, I thought. I squeezed Rives’s hand. Sometimes we do.

  Nil changed everyone; it’s a basic Nil truth. Rives and I are linked, a connection forged through fire and love and pain and something else, something powerful Nil created in our final few moments.

  A final gift.

  I know now what Charley had lost. I’m deeply glad she found Thad on this side. And I’m glad Rives and I saved as many as we could. But I still wake thinking of Nil, wondering why Paulo sta
yed. Why Nil lives, why we failed.

  I hope one day I find out.

  *

  My name is Skye Bracken.

  And this is the truth.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The word Acknowledgments seems so paltry in light of the hundreds of pages before it. ☺ Epic hugs, billboards proclaiming my thanks, and a lifetime supply of cookies all sound much better … for without the following people, Nil Unlocked would not exist.

  Jennifer Unter, my rock star agent, who cheers me on without fail. Who believed and supported me when I told her this book was already written in my brain, that I just had to put it on paper. I adore you, Jennifer, and am so grateful you’re my agent/friend/cheerleader/champion. Thank you for making my publishing dreams come true (again!).

  Kate Farrell, my brilliant editor, who makes each book better than the last. Who, when I outlined my idea for Nil Unlocked over the phone, said “Let’s do this!” and we did! I love working with you and am so grateful for your keen eye and wise words, and am so honored to have Rives’s and Skye’s journeys shaped by your hand. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I can’t wait to see where we go next!

  All the amazing people at Macmillan and Henry Holt, who have so much love for books that I think the Flatiron Building must radiate literary magic. Thank you for your endless enthusiasm and your dedication to the world of Nil. I’m so very grateful!

  Every copy editor who struggled with the day count (again), thank you for your sharp eyes, and I’m sorry. ☺

  April Ward, who designs the most captivating covers ever. I love them both and am so honored to have your talent touch the world of Nil.

  Ksenia Winnicki, my publicist extraordinaire, and all the marketing lovelies at Macmillan—including the amazing Fierce Reads team!—who have worked tirelessly to share Nil’s secrets with the world. I am so grateful for y’all’s unwavering support and excitement. Y’all have helped me touch readers’ hearts, and I thank each of you for that gift.

  All my writer friends and book cheerleaders, especially the YA Valentines (Sara Raasch, Bethany Hagen, Lindsay Cummings, Bethany Crandell, Phil Siegel, Sara B. Larson, Amy Rolland, Anne Blankman, Paula Stokes, Kristi Helvig, Jen McConnel, Jaye Robin Brown, Kristen Lippert-Martin), who make up the best writers’ support group EVER. There are not enough words; I love you all and your books. Hugs for life.

  Kristen Lippert-Martin, Kristi Helvig, and Becky Wallace, extra thanks for your brains, support, and enthusiasm for Nil Unlocked as it all came together; Tonya Kuper, Sara B. Larson, and Lindsay Currie, for always being there with an ear and a kind word; Lindsay Cummings, Paula Stokes, Phil Siegel, Bethany Crandell, Amy Rolland, and Vivi Barnes, who made touring a blast; Mary E. Pearson and Kasie West, who embraced the Nil world from book one; and Laura Stanford, Eliza Tilton, Jay C. Spencer, Natalie Whipple, Charles Martin, and Jessie Harrell, who supported my writing from word one. Y’all are THE BEST.

  The All the Write Notes crew, for musical musings and writing support. You rock. ☺

  Artists Pendulum, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Snow Patrol, Rise Against, and Lana Del Rey, for providing inspiration rich enough to fuel an entire crazy island world.

  All my wonderful Twitter friends, booksellers, librarians, and book bloggers—especially super bloggers Nikki Wang and Eli Madison—whom I’ve chatted with (both online and IRL!) since the launch of Nil. I’m deeply grateful for your support. Books are sold one book at a time, and you’ve made the #NILtribe real!

  The #NILtribe, for embracing all things Nil and being so amazing. Extra special thanks to Lauren Goff for her creative #WinNIL answers, which worked their way into this story—you helped give Zane life. ☺

  My friends who have supported me and the Nil world with such love it makes me cry. Sims Wachholz, Gina Donahoo, Christy Gillam, Kelly Anderson, Phaedra Avret, Amy Grant, Mary Claire Miller, and Leigh Smith, thank you for letting me bounce all my wild ideas for Nil Unlocked off y’all and jumping into my crazy; Kelley, Natalie, Kat, Allison, Meg, Avery, Lindsey, Julie, Erin, Heather, Margaret, Isabelle, Susanna, Mary, Susannah, Nicole, Annie, Darden, Kasie, Laddy, Virginia, Debbie, thank you for picking up my boys or encouraging my writing (or both! ☺). And thank you to all my dear college and high school friends for Nil love from afar: Rebecca, Michele, Stacy, Lani, Shannon, Angela, Devon, Susan, and Jennifer … and all my other sweet friends I forgot to mention in my writing haze. I love you all and am so grateful to have you in my life.

  My family, who make my world go round: Ki (best sister ever), Penny, Mom, Ryan, Baz, Max, Mark, Jill, Blake, Kerri, Grandma, Bev, Beepsy, Jim, Johnny, and Aymi. I love you all! So, so much!

  My boys, Caden, Christian, Davis, and Cooper, who have my heart. You inspire me and fill me with hope. Thank you for sharing me with Rives and Skye this year, and for being the wonderful individuals you are. I love each of you more than all the words in the universe.

  My best friend and my true love, Stephen, who makes life more. Thank you for your support, for your belief in me, and for being by my side each step of the way. You are my everything, my love!

  And to my readers, thank you! My gratitude, forever. Nil belongs to you now, and so does this book. Island cookies for life, on me.

  About the Author

  Lynne Matson grew up in Georgia in a house full of books and a backyard full of gnarly pines. She attended the University of Florida, where she met and married her husband, the cutest boy she’s ever seen. Now Lynne is mother to four amazing boys. A former attorney, she is thrilled to be making a new career in YA fiction. lynnematson.blogspot.com. You can sign up for email updates here.

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  CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedication

  Epigraph

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Chapter Fifty

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  Chapter Fifty-Seven

  Chapter Fifty-Eight


  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  Chapter Sixty

  Chapter Sixty-One

  Chapter Sixty-Two

  Chapter Sixty-Three

  Chapter Sixty-Four

  Chapter Sixty-Five

  Chapter Sixty-Six

  Chapter Sixty-Seven

  Chapter Sixty-Eight

  Chapter Sixty-Nine

  Chapter Seventy

  Chapter Seventy-One

  Chapter Seventy-Two

  Chapter Seventy-Three

  Chapter Seventy-Four

  Chapter Seventy-Five

  Chapter Seventy-Six

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2015 by Lynne Matson

  Henry Holt and Company, LLC

  Publishers since 1866

  Henry Holt® is a registered trademark of Henry Holt and Company, LLC.