The Forsaken

finally says. “I was fighting in the woods. But Rika says you watched someone get taken?”
    “I’ve been trying not to think about it.”
    “The first time I saw something like that, I was afraid it was going to happen to me next. I’d wake up in the night. Panicking. Sweating. Freaking out.”
    “It’s hard to imagine you like that.” Veidman has an aura of authority, like an adult.
    “You’d be surprised,” he replies.
    He takes me over to one of the thatched huts, which is stocked with rudimentary provisions. He pours a pungent liquid from a decanter into two chipped ceramic mugs and hands one to me. I take a sip. It’s sludgy like molasses but tastes delicious. We sit down in homemade wooden chairs near the door.
    “This better not have any truth serum in it,” I only half-joke as I hoist my mug.
    “The only drug in there is caffeine.” He takes a swig from his cup. “See? Totally safe.” His eyes dance. “Like I said, I’m sorry I had to test you yesterday, but not everyone on the wheel is who they appear to be.”
    “I know. Gadya told me.” I take another sip. “Why don’t you just give truth serum to everyone in this village and find out who the spy is? I mean, if there is a spy.”
    Veidman looks off into space for a moment. “Meira won’t let me. I wanted to, but she made a case against it. Said if we forced people to take the truth serum, it would make us as bad as Minister Harka and the UNA. A lot of kids agreed with her.” He glances down at his coffee mug in contemplation. “We made a compromise. We agreed to test the new kids who arrive, and just watch everyone else really closely.” He shrugs. “Who knows? Maybe I’m wrong to use the serum at all.” Veidman’s eyes have a faraway look in them.
    “So you’ve been on this island three and a half years?” I say, to keep the conversation going.
    “Just about.”
    “And somehow you’ve stayed sane.”
    “The wheel gets easier with time. The rules are simple: Just fight the drones and avoid the feelers. You can survive and make a new life for yourself in our village. No ID cards. No earpieces. You can reinvent yourself. Become whoever you want to be.” His eyes grow even more distant. “Some days I’m not even sure we should be searching for a way off the wheel—but don’t tell anyone I said that.”
    “You really think there’s a way off?”
    He peers at me over his coffee mug. “Yes. The aircrafts in the gray zone hold the key.”
    We suddenly hear footsteps crunching down the path toward us. A second later, Liam appears at the doorway. He doesn’t look like he did the night before. In fact, it takes me a second to even recognize him. He’s shirtless, hair back in a bandana, and his face and muscular torso are smeared with dried blood. His arm is still in its sling. He looks savage, like some kind of ancient gladiator, or mythological warrior. I can feel my heart start beating faster.
    “What’s up?” Veidman asks, a trace of annoyance in his voice.
    “You need to come right away,” Liam tells him. “We found someone during the morning hunt.” He glances at me and adds softly, “Hey, Alenna.”
    I’m startled that he knows my name. It almost makes me blush. “Hey,” I tell him back.
    I’m struck by the contrast between his fierce appearance and his gentle tone. And of course I’m struck by his physique. I can’t help it. My eyes drift over his olive skin.
    “You’ve been out hunting?” I ask, trying to ignore the way he makes me feel.
    “We took down two hoofers, and it’s not even nine o’clock.” He smiles crookedly. “Me and four other hunters. We tracked ’em for a mile, then hauled their carcasses back here. We’re gonna bury one in mud to keep it cool.”
    “Great,” I say lamely, taking another sip of coffee to cover my awkwardness. I’m no good at talking to boys.
    “I heard you volunteered to help with chores last night,” Liam says. “Even after the raid.”
    I nod.
    “Cool.” He sounds impressed, and I feel my face flush again.
    “Liam, can you be more specific about who you found and why you’re bothering us right now?” Veidman interrupts. “Alenna and I were talking before you came along.”
    “Oh, yeah. Sorry. A lost drone. We’ve got him tied up in the fire pit.”
    Veidman puts down his mug. Looks at me. “Guess we better check it out.”
    “I guess so.” I feel weird, but in a good way. For once, two attractive boys in close proximity are