Connor lay the poker by the fire and put his head in his hands. “What am I going to do?” he asked the empty room. “What if they can’t find her?” He rubbed his eyes and exhaled loudly. Of course, they’d find her. Siobhan was a good girl; she wouldn’t have gone too far. But why did she go at all? Is it my fault? He stared into empty space. Perhaps he’d been too hard on his daughter and driven her away. Perhaps he should’ve spent more time at home. Perhaps…
He sat up straight. Had he heard something? He cocked his head, straining his ears. Yes. Footsteps. But how many people? And why were they walking so slowly? Were they just tired, or were they reluctant, weighed down by bad news?
He stood, wiping his face with his hands, composing himself. He could hear mumbled voices now, and they grew louder, closer. Upstairs, the ceiling creaked; Helen had heard them too. Connor picked up the lantern and strode to the door. His hand was on the handle when he heard someone speak:
“All right, I’m here now. Leave me alone.”
Siobhan! Connor wrenched the door open, and his daughter stood in front of him, squinting in the sudden light. Her face was pale, her eyes ringed with shadows, but she was in one piece.
Siobhan looked into her father’s eyes for a moment, then she hung her head.
Connor raised his gaze and searched the faces of the three men standing behind Siobhan, the men who’d returned his daughter to him. Good men, he thought. The best. But even these brave souls looked tired, their eyebrows lowered, their mouths set in grim lines. “Thank you,” Connor said. He shook each man by the hand in turn. “John. Parry. Finn. I can’t thank you enough. I…” His voice faltered, and the men shuffled their feet and nodded.
“It’s alright, boss,” Parry said. “You’d do the same for us.”
Connor took a breath. “You found them all?”
“Yes,” Parry replied. “We dropped the other kids home already. And we sent runners out to the other teams to let them know—they should all be heading home by now.”
“You know, those kids had gone quite a way,” Finn said. “When we found them, they were headed into the fern bank.”
“Oh?” Connor frowned. “No sign of trouble over there?”
The men shook their heads.
That’s some consolation, Connor thought. Siobhan and her friends had been on a slope that faced away from the headlights. They wouldn’t have been able to see the vehicles, and they couldn’t have been spotted by the interlopers.
“The thing is,” Finn said, “the kids deny it, but they were too near the wall for comfort. I reckon they were headed all the way down.”
Connor’s face darkened. He glared at Siobhan. “What?”
Siobhan looked up. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re not that stupid. We were just hanging out, that’s all. We get sick of hanging around here all day and every goddamned day.”
“That’s enough,” Connor snapped. “These men have risked their own safety searching for you and your friends. Show some respect.”
“I didn’t ask them to come looking for us,” Siobhan said. “You did that, Dad. We didn’t need rescuing, we were fine. We’d have been back soon anyhow.”
Connor clenched his jaw, and his fingers curled into fists. “Inside, now! Go and apologize to your mother—she’s been worried sick.”
“Fine,” Siobhan said. “Whatever.”
Connor stepped back to let her pass, and she trudged inside. “And Siobhan,” Connor called after her, “we’ll talk about this later.”
Siobhan hesitated, but she didn’t turn around to face her father. Her shoulders slumped and she headed for the stairs.
Connor turned back to Finn. “Were they really heading for the wall?”
“That’s what I think,” Finn said. “And not a single one of them with the right gear. No helmets, no suits, nothing.”
Connor grimaced. If Siobhan and her friends had climbed over the wall, or even ventured too close to it in their ordinary clothes, they wouldn’t have stood a chance. “Oh my God,” he whispered. “What the hell got into them?”
Parry stepped forward. “They probably wouldn’t have gone that far, boss. I reckon they’re telling the truth.”
Finn grunted. “We don’t know that for sure though. All I’m saying is—”
But Parry didn’t let him finish. “You’ve said enough, Finn. You’ve stirred up enough goddamned trouble.”
Connor studied Parry’s expression, taking in the honest concern in his eyes, the grim determination in the set of his jaw. “Listen, Parry, I’d like you to come with me tomorrow. Down to the wall.”
Parry didn’t hesitate. “What time?”
Connor checked his watch. Most members of the patrol team had managed to beg or borrow watches that still worked, and Connor had a good one, although the numbers displayed bore no relation to the time of day. He’d tried to adjust it to take account of the shorter days on this planet, but like most folks, he’d reverted to Earth’s twenty-four-hour cycle. It could get confusing to watch noon arrive at a different time every day, but it was still useful when you needed to measure intervals. “We’ll aim to head out in four hours. We can meet in the square. I want to be in position at first light.”
“No problem, boss. I’d better go and get some rest.”
“I’d be happy to come along too,” John said. “I just need to check on Phoebe and little boss, then I’ll get ready.”
Connor cracked a smile. “Sure. How is young Connor? Is he shaping up okay, despite his lousy name?”
“He’s great. Keeps us awake half the night, but you know what that’s like.”
“Oh yeah.” Connor hesitated. “I’d love to have you along, John, but there are other people who could come—people who don’t have kids to think about.”
John scratched his chin as if thinking it over. “Thanks, but I’m coming with you, boss. Reckon I’ve got a damned good reason to keep this place safe.”
“Good man.” Connor turned to Finn. “What do you say? Maybe we should keep a winning team together, huh?”
Finn gave him a strained smile. “Sure. I’ll be there.”
“All right, let’s head home,” Parry said. He slapped John on the shoulder. “You say hi to Phoebe from me, and then make sure you get some rest. You’re going to need it.”
John raised his eyebrows. “Don’t you worry about me, old-timer. You’re the one who needs his shut-eye.”
“Old-timer?” Parry said. “I’m four years older than you, man. Four.”
“Exactly!” John gave Parry a wink. “That’s awful close to thirty from where I’m standing.”
“All right, guys, break it up,” Connor said. “We all need some rest. I’ll see you back here in four hours. And pack for a full day out on the hill. This thing will take as long as it takes, all right?”
“Sure,” John said. “Goodnight. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, same goes for me,” Parry put in. “You coming, Finn?”
“In a second.” Finn replied. “You guys go on ahead.”
John and Parry went their separate ways, walking tall into the darkness, though Connor knew they must both be exhausted.
But Finn sidled closer to Connor. “I really don’t want to cause any trouble, but I still think those kids were heading for the wall. Some of these youngsters, they get this idea in their heads. They want to break out and—”
“Yes, I know,” Connor interrupted. “I understand, Finn. Don’t worry, I’ll have a word with them. I’ll get to the bottom of it and make sure they understand.”
Finn nodded, but he didn’t move away.
“Was there something else?” Connor asked.
“Just wondering about tomorrow. I’ll come along if you really want me to, but you might want to take someone better, more experienced.”
So that’s it, Connor thought. Trying to weasel out of it. But he didn’t say a word, he just looked Finn in the eye, waiting.
“I just thought with us being out so late, and my leg i
sn’t quite…you know, since I twisted my knee, it hasn’t been right.”
“You did good work tonight,” Connor said. “You know every rock and hollow on this hill, and I value your experience. I’d like you along in the morning, and I’m sure you’ll stick by your promise.” He paused. “Thanks for bringing Siobhan back. We’d both better get some sleep. Goodnight, Finn.”
“Goodnight.” Finn opened his mouth to say more, but Connor stepped back smartly and closed the door.
Inside, Connor checked the door and the shutters were locked, then he put his home-made spark guard over the fireplace and headed for the stairs, lighting his way with the lantern. I’ve got to be fresh for tomorrow, he thought. I need to show the guys I can still cut it.
He extinguished the lantern before he opened his bedroom door, hoping Helen would be asleep, but she stirred, rustling the blankets.
“Everything all right?” she asked.
“Yeah. Did Shiv come and talk to you?”
“She said sorry, and I left it at that.” Helen yawned. “Come on. Get into bed.”
Connor slipped his clothes off, and when he crept beneath the blankets, he let out a deep sigh.
“Let me warm you up,” Helen said. She snuggled up to him and laid her head on his chest.
Connor wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t know what’s going on with Shiv these days. She used to be such a steady kid.”
“She still is.” Helen lifted her head. “You know, she won’t admit it, but Siobhan’s pretty mad at herself for causing all this fuss. There’s no point scolding her—you’ll only push her away.”
“You’re right,” Connor said. “You always are when it comes to the kids. I…I don’t know. Maybe I haven’t been around enough.”
“Nonsense. You’re a great dad—always have been—and I won’t have you talking like that.”
Connor sighed. “Sorry. Just tired, that’s all.”
Helen laid her head down again, and her hair tickled his chest. “Siobhan is safe. That’s all that matters.”
“Yes. That’s all that matters.” Out of habit, he stroked Helen’s hair. How did she keep it so soft, so fragrant, when they hadn’t had soap or shampoo for years?
“Go to sleep,” she murmured. “And that’s an order.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Connor said softly. But when he closed his eyes, he pictured headlights sweeping toward him through the darkness and heard the rumble of engines echoing in his tired mind. Whoever was in those vehicles, they were coming. And there was nothing he could do to stop them. Nothing.
CHAPTER 4
The Hill
SIOBHAN LAY AWAKE ON HER NARROW BED, staring up at the ceiling. She’d been upstairs for over an hour, but she hadn’t climbed under the blankets, hadn’t even undressed. She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh. What the hell was wrong with her dad? Why did he have to be such a tightass all the time? Plenty of people snuck off to hang out on the hillside in the evenings. What else was there to do anyhow?
She rolled on her side and tried to get comfortable. And she heard something. She opened her eyes. There it was again: a low whistle. Five notes from her favorite song. Milo!
Siobhan sat up and ran her hands through her hair, smoothing it flat, flicking her fringe away from her eyes. She probably looked a complete mess, but that didn’t matter. Not to Milo. Not after the way he’d spoken to her when they’d snatched a moment alone, away from the others.
She knelt on her bed and pushed aside the improvised blind so she could press her face to the tiny window. Yes. Milo was down there, waving his arm, his face pale in the starlight. She grinned and waved back. Then, moving carefully, she crossed her room and opened the door. The hinges creaked a little and she hesitated, but no one stirred. They’d all be fast asleep by now. She crept down the stairs, keeping to the edge where the metal treads met the wall. Within seconds, she was opening the outer door and peering out into the night.
“Shiv!” Milo hissed. “Over here.”
Milo was crouching next to the low wall Siobhan’s mom and dad had built around the creeper patch in the front yard. She slipped out, propping the door open with a stone, then she crossed the front yard. As she approached, Milo stood and beckoned her forward. “Come on, Shiv. Let’s take a walk.”
“Okay, but not for long,” she whispered. “I’m in enough trouble as it is.”
Milo gave her a grin. “Like you care.”
“All right, smartass. Where are we going?”
Milo held out his arms. “Earth.”
“Very funny.”
“I’m serious, Shiv.” Milo extended his hand toward her. “Walk with me. I’ve got something to tell you.”
Siobhan hung back for a moment, but she took his hand. “You’re cold.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” Milo tugged her hand, pulling her closer. “I’m on fire when I’m around you.”
“Shut up.” She gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. “You’re such a jerk, Milo. Just…talk normal, all right? I’m not impressed with your dumb lines. I’m not Emma.”
“Emma? What’s she got to do with anything?”
Siobhan rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. Like you don’t know.”
“Listen, Siobhan, I didn’t come over here to talk about Emma or anybody else. I’m not interested in her. I came to talk to you. And…it’s important.”
“Okay, let’s walk.” She dropped Milo’s hand and strode forward, heading away from her house.
“Hold up.” Milo hurried after her, then walked at her side, matching her pace. When they’d left the scattered houses behind them, Milo said, “Did you hear about the lights?”
“Not really. My mom mentioned it, but she was holding something back, and I couldn’t exactly go and ask my dad.”
“Well, I’ve heard plenty. My dad’s a big friend of Derek. They met up in our house. They couldn’t stop talking about it, about what it might mean.”
“Derek Kline is a drunk and a jerk. Everybody knows that.”
“That’s just what your dad says. Derek is on the council.”
Siobhan stopped walking. “Don’t you dare talk to me like that. I don’t get my opinions from anybody, and definitely not from my dad.”
Milo held up his hands, his fingers spread wide. “Sorry, Shiv. I wasn’t thinking. I’m just excited. I’ve got so much to tell you.”
Siobhan folded her arms across her chest. “All right. Talk.”
“Don’t be like that.”
“This is me, Milo. I’m not going to put on an act for you. If you have something to say, spit it out. I’m waiting.”
“Okay, okay.” Milo took a breath. “Your dad thinks he’s the only one who saw the lights properly, but Finn was out there with him, and he saw plenty.”
“Finn? That jerk dragged us back like we were lost dogs or something.”
“That’s not—” Milo ran a hand through his hair. “Listen a second. Finn saw a whole bunch of lights. He reckons there are five or six vehicles out there.”
“So what?”
“Don’t you get it, Shiv? This is a group. Organized. They must be from Earth and they must have a way to get back home.”
“That’s a leap, even for you.”
Milo shook his head. “Come on. Hear me out. We can’t miss this opportunity.”
“What opportunity?” Siobhan shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “What are you talking about?”
“We go down there. We take a look for ourselves. Maybe we talk to these people.”
“Are you out of your goddamned mind? They might not even be human. Anything could happen.”
“Yeah? But if we sit tight and do what we’re told, I’ll tell you exactly what will happen—nothing. Not today, not tomorrow, and not next month or next year.”
Siobhan flapped her hands toward him. “Keep your voice down. Someone will hear.”
“Okay.” Milo stepped close to her. “I don’t just want to go down and look. I want to go over the wall,
and I want you to come with me.”
“Over the…” She shook her head. “Milo, we can’t. It’s far too dangerous. Even if we go near it, we’ll get burned.”
“Not if we suit up.”
Siobhan stared at him.
“I’m serious,” Milo went on. “I know where we can get some EVA suits, and I know how to use them—we both do.”
“Where the hell would you get suits? They’re all locked up.”
“I have a friend who’ll help us out, all right?” Milo looked her in the eye. “I can take a couple suits whenever I want.”
“Listen, Milo, I’m just as sick of this place as you, but you can’t do this. You’ll get into trouble, or worse, you’ll get yourself killed.”
“Give me some credit. I’ll be careful. And it’s not like I’m talking about running away. Hell, if we do this right, no one will even know we’re gone.”
Siobhan hesitated. “So, what are you suggesting?”
Milo smiled. “I borrow the suits and meet you in ten minutes. We set off straight away before it gets light, and we walk down to the wall. Then, so long as it’s safe, we head over the wall so these people can see us. All we have to do is attract their attention. Once they see there are people shipwrecked on this miserable planet they’ll organize a rescue. They must have a ship somewhere, right? And they’re bound to help us. They’ll have to.”
“I don’t know. It’s not much of a plan.”
“It’s better than what the council has cooked up—they’re hoping these people will just pass us by and leave us alone. Where’s the sense in that?”
“They’re being cautious,” Siobhan said. “Your plan is dumb, it’s too risky.”
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