The Island by Jen Minkman

Author:Jen Minkman [Minkman, Jen]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Published: 2013-05-28T21:00:00+00:00

***

When the sun is nearing its highest point in the sky, a nervous flutter starts in my stomach. Mara and I are carrying our overflowing baskets to the spot where I talked to Walt last night. I have no trouble finding my way back – I know the trails of the forest by heart after countless hikes into the wild at Saul’s command – but I’m not so sure about Walt. Will he be able to make his way back here? Or was our encounter the previous night the last I’ll see of him?

Walt is here. He’s wearing dark-green clothes serving as camouflage among the bushes he was hiding in. I almost didn’t see him. Almost, because his light-blonde hair is clearly visible. In his hands, he’s holding a green beanie hat which he apparently took off so his head would stand out. Or maybe taking off your hat is a Foolish custom and he’s trying to be polite.

“Leia,” he calls out quietly, getting up from his squatting position and glancing sideways at Mara curiously.

“This is my best friend,” I quickly explain. “She’s okay. She knows you have The Book.”

“I understand why you wanted to keep him all to yourself,” Mara mumbles under her breath.

I ignore the flush creeping into my face and walk up to Walt. In broad daylight, his skin still looks pale, but his light-blonde hair looks shiny and more vibrant in the sun. His hair is shot through with darker strands of a color that reminds me of the golden pendant worn by the Eldest’s wife on special occasions. Walt is almost as tall and broad as Andy. His eyes look at everything around him with boundless curiosity, including me. I suddenly feel shy under his inquisitive gaze.

“Did you bring it?” I ask.

Walt pats the brown leather bag slung over his shoulder. “Of course. And I brought some news, too.”

He pulls The Book from his bag and shows us the front cover, tapping the first Luke and Leia with his index finger. “Tony knows them. Your ancestors.”

My mouth falls open. “He does?”

Walt nods seriously. “He wants to talk to you. Explain things. Don’t ask me what he meant by that, but I think it’s important you gather a few friends you trust and come to us in Hope Harbor. You think you can do that?”

“Well, I guess we don’t have a choice,” I reply grumpily. All of a sudden, I can’t stand Walt seeming so savvy next to me. I feel like a right lemon.

“I’d love to,” Mara supplies. Knowledge-hungry Mara, who always wanted to know what’s on the other side of the Wall anyway.

“But we have to solve the problems on our side of the Wall first,” I point out. “Force our leader out. Free Henry. Consult with the parents.”

“The parents?” Walt asks in a tone suggesting he’s never heard of parents before.

“Uhm, yeah. They live in Newexter. They might want to help us getting rid of Saul, even though I told my mother it wasn’t necessary.

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