Chapter 2

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I was back to strength and balance exercises. I did my handstand push-ups in a corner of the deck until familiar footsteps approached.

"These again?"

I looked to the voice's owner. It was Nathan.

"I'm surprised you remember," I said. "It was almost a year ago."

His eyes narrowed. "I'm not that shallow. I remember things."

"Good to know. Now step back," I said, "unless you want a repeat of what happened last time."

He stepped back quickly. I lowered myself and pushed off the smooth, wooden deck and landed on my feet. I went to the railing at the side and leaned on it, panting slightly. Nathan joined me by my side.

"So what's your plan?" I asked, my pant gradually slowing into my normal breathing pattern.

He shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. I could see it in his dark eyes, though. He was conflicted.

"What's your plan?" I repeated, a little more forcefully this time.

He pushed back from the rail. "I don't know what to do. If anywhere, Nina would be on The Shadow and Ronnie will die before we can get there." He looked down.

I took him by the hand, sending an electric shock through my body. I was surprised when he didn't even so much as flinch.

"Talk to Naomi," I said. "I'm sure she'll change course for you."

"But we have a duty. The special one might be moved before we can make it there." He ran his fingers through his hair. Then he stopped and stared at our hands, which he still hadn't pulled apart. He looked slightly hopeful, slightly nervous, like a terrible burden had been released but he wasn't ready to accept life without it. Without even asking aloud, I knew what he wanted to ask; he wanted to know how I felt about him. No amount of acting could put on that face.

I leaned in a little closer. "Are you blind?" I asked teasingly.

"Is that a yes?"

I only smiled. "Talk to Naomi." I dropped his hand and he thought for a moment.

"Fine," he said finally.

I followed him. He went into the captain's cabin but I stayed outside and watched from there.

"Naomi, I have a favor to ask," Nathan requested officially as he approached her. I listened as he explained what the situation was. I watched her think for a moment as if searching for a loophole. She cared too much for him, doted too easily on him.

Finally, she spoke. "We will go to The Shadow first. They will expect us to go to the southern Halo first."

I knew it wasn't true; they would be prepared either way. I wasn't about to argue though. It was like Nathan had said: if Nina was anywhere, she would be on The Shadow. Besides, it would be the last time he saw Ronnie.

• • • • • • • • • • •

It didn't take long to get to The Shadow. Three days. The boat wasn't as lively as it usually was. The shock of a traitor and being thrown back into war was too much for most to handle.

I could tell Nathan was skeptical. He hadn't thought it through. Nina could still be missing. Ronnie could be dead. Instead, he took a deep breath and hopped off the boat. I followed closely after, followed only by Kathryn, Peter, and Andrew. They had insisted on coming along for no apparent reason.

We made our way through town on the grid-like cobblestone walkways. People looked out their windows and when we looked back, they would pull the curtain over to hide their faces.

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