Chapter 62

Chapter Sixty-Two

Sleep came easy for Connor, the relief and absolute calm of the blackness settling in deep seconds after his head came to rest against the mound.

In that instant where the waking world slid away, taking with it the oppressive, sulfur-laden air and the distant clicks of the the alien lizards, there was peace and happiness.

Memories of Drew’s screams and Rudy’s puffy, bloody evaporated.

And Connor dreamed.

He was on the river again, the cold, crystal blue water gliding beneath his canoe, his paddle making a soft splash as it dipped below the surface. Ripples distorted the bottom, warping the rocks and long, stalked plants.

Toshiko turned in the prow, black hair washing over sun-reddened shoulders. “You’ve been quiet.”

“I—I’ve been somewhere else.” Too far away for her to understand…

“Thinking of another girl? Sadie? Bingbing? You looking at skinny girls now?”

“I couldn’t be happier with anyone other than you.”

And seeing her in the bathing suit again…she truly was his heart’s desire.

Animal hoots and bird calls came from the tall trees lining the riverbank, the green leaves bright in the sunlight.

She cupped her eyes and raised her head toward the gold sun, and the soft scent of her perfume came to him. “You think we could go ashore?”

“I’d row to the end of the river for you. Beyond.”

“The shore’s fine, silly.”

He put his back into the rowing, bringing the front of the boat around and angling for a place unobstructed by roots and gray mud.

When the bow bumped against the dirt, she hopped out pulled the canoe ashore.

Connor threw a leg over the side of the boat but froze when she pointed back.

Toshiko giggled. “The picnic basket.”

“Oh.” He’d completely forgotten about it. It was why she’d agreed to go out on the river in the first place.

The wicker handle was surprisingly heavy against his palm as he followed after her skipping form. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her, wondering how she could be so beautiful and perfect in the shade of a tree, only to glow even more wondrously a second later in the sunlight.

Finally, she stopped beneath a tree with thick boughs and broad leaves. “Is this okay?”

She could have picked sharp rocks patrolled by scorpions for all he cared.

He set the basket down, and she undid the latch. First, she set out a dark blue blanket, then a sealed bowl and a set of napkins with utensils, then she pointed at a spot for him to sit.

Once he crossed his legs, she took out a tea pot, plates, and cups.

Everything settled into a formal process then: slow and purposeful.

Even with a steaming cup of tea in front of him, he didn’t feel comfortable talking. His eyes were locked on her, admiring the intensity and focus in her wide eyes, then dropping to the shoulders that weren’t yet burned but would be soon if she didn’t cover up.

In all of her wonder and the discoloration, though, there was also a purity. It was as if the time on the river had burned away something.

She handed him his teacup, then took hers, sipping only after he did.

It was a warm day, edging toward hot, but the tea brought a welcome heat of its own. There was a refreshing floral sweetness to the pale green drink.

He raised the cup to her in a salute. “Thank you.”

Toshiko bowed. “I would only ever do this for you.”

Connor blushed. “You don’t have to say that. I know I’m not special.” Not like her.

“You are.”

“No. You are. I mean, when I see you, it’s like the light glows around you, even when you’re not in the sun. It’s as if you’re pure, like you weren’t born but were maybe scooped out of the light and formed by a master craftsman.”

The redness of her shoulders touched her cheeks. “You’re the same.”

“I’m just a poor kid getting by because his father has a business that puts food on the table. That’s why I know I’ll never amount to anything—little people will always be little.”

“You’re as pure as the sunlight, Connor. Don’t let the universe confuse you.”

“The way I think of you isn’t pure, Toshiko.”

“It is. I feel the same way, but only for you.”

Connor looked away. This moment had to last forever. He didn’t want to go back to his little home and the smelly gym where men sweated and punched and kicked each other. His father called it a forge to harden and drive out impurities.

There was that again: purity.

But it was a drain, something that took Connor away from Toshiko.

She set her cup down. “Your mind is wandering again.”

“It’s just the idea of being away from you.”

“You’ll never really be away from me.” She waved toward the teapot. “I’ve made an eternal bond between us. No matter what happens, I’ll always be there for you, and you will always be there for me.”

Because of tea? That was silly. But it pleased her. “Do you still want to study computers?”

“It’s what I’m good at. And when I know enough, no one will ever tell me what I’m worth. I’ll be the one setting prices.”

“That’s a competitive field. And it’s dangerous.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Have you ever known anything to scare me?”

“Well, no—”

“I can’t be broken. I can’t be turned away.”

Connor bowed his head. She could be stubborn when she wanted to. It made their relationship painful and frustrating. He was a young man with needs…

She leaned forward, staring into his eyes. “You’re looking into this other world of yours.”

“Our world. I really mean it when I say you’re everything to me.”

“Good.” She pulled her hair off of her neck, and for the first time, he realized she was wearing a necklace with an amulet that dangled between her breasts. The ruby sparkled.

“Where—?”

Toshiko hooked the necklace around his neck. “This will connect us throughout eternity. Forever and ever.”

She pressed her lips to his, and it was like the fire of a nuclear furnace—

Something shook Connor—rough and unforgiving.

His eyes flew open to stare into the blood-stained face of Vicente. The big man laughed, but there was a distant, confused look in his eyes. He shook his head, then rubbed his eyes. “Nice nap, Boss?”

“I guess.”

“That pretty girl of yours?”

Connor looked around. The rest of the camp was just now coming awake.

Except for Selen.

She scowled at him.

Vicente grunted. “Don’t let it get to you, Boss. Time to roll.”

And that was all there was to it for Connor. Get up, relieve himself, and make the run for the Lucky Sevens.

He could only hope Toshiko was right, and they would be together forever.