Wheres Vic going? Rob asked.
People out there still need our help, Conner told his little brother. He stooped down to speak to him. Im going to go with her, okay? Youll stay here with Mom and Palm.
I want to go with you.
You cant, Conner said. He was on the verge of tears, but he had to be firm. Youre needed here. Take care of Violet. Imagine how scared she must be. How alone she must feel.
Rob nodded. He scanned the room, perhaps looking for something to do, someone to help. Conner climbed the stairs toward his mom. He dreaded telling her he was leaving, but nothing had ever felt as right as pulling people out of the sand. The moment he carried his mother and Rob and Violet up into the attic and saved them was like that moment a snake sheds its skin or a baby crow pierces its shell. It had been a sort of birth, a discovery of purpose. He no longer felt like a boy. As he reached the top of the stairs, he thought even his mother was looking at him differently. Even Palmer.
Im going to help Vic for a few days, he told them. Youll look after Rob and Violet?
His mother nodded, and Conner saw her throat constrict as she swallowed back some word or sob. She reached out and squeezed his shoulder, and he was about to turn away when she reached into her pocket and brought out a folded piece of paper. Give this to Vic, his mother said. Make sure she reads it. She needs to believe.
Conner accepted the paper and stuck it into his pocket. Ill make sure she gets it, he promised. Im going to let Violet know Ill be gone for a while. Youll look after her?
His mother nodded. Conner thanked her and turned to her room, which no longer had the same repulsive effect it used to. It had been cleansed by the sand that had passed through it; it had been scoured clean. He heard Palmer hurry up behind him and felt his brother grab his arm.
Hey, Con, we need to talk.
Conner stopped. Over Palmers
shoulder, he saw their mother heading back down the stairs to tend to the stricken. What is it? Conner asked.
Palmer glanced at their mothers door like there was still something to fear there, like one of her drunk clients might lumber out at any moment and crash into them and send them over the edge of the balcony with its missing rail. This way, Palmer said. He guided Conner past the room where Violet lay, his voice a conspiratorial whisper.
You okay? Conner asked. His brother looked better than he had in the sarfer earlier that day, had salve on his blistered lips and food in his belly. But something seemed off.
Yeah, yeah, Im fine. Its just that this girl who claims to be our sister
Violet, Conner reminded him.
Yeah, Violet. Its just that Mom took me in there and told me her story, let me talk to her. She and Rob told me about the other nightthe night you went campingand about where she came from.
No Mans Land.
Well, maybe. Palmer glanced at the door again and pulled Conner even farther down the balcony. Its just a little unbelievable, dont you think? I mean, you really buy her story? Because
I was there, Conner told his brother. Im telling you she speaks the truth. She knew who I was.
I know, I know. But heres the thing. The guy who did this to me Palmer pointed to his face. This guy Brock who hired us to find Danvar, who killed Hap, hes got this strange accent. Everyone says it comes from the north. And this girl sounds just like him.
You think Violet is some cannibal? Conner didnt have time for this, but his brother really seemed concerned. Vic had told him that their brother was pretty rattled from his experience, that hed been through a serious ordeal. It was strange, this, to pity an older brother.
Im not saying anything, Con. I just know what I hear. And her showing up and then the wall coming down at the same time? And Danvar? Everything happening at once like this? You buyin that?
Conner squeezed his brothers shoulder. I dont know whats going on, he said truthfully. But I believe that girl in there is our sister, and I think Dad is still out there somewhere.
Palmer nodded. There were tears in his eyes. Yeah, he said. Youve always believed that. And there was nothing accusing in his brothers voice. Something more like envy.
Ive got to go, Conner said.
Yeah.
Good to see you, he told his brother. And the two of them embraced. They exchanged hearty slaps on each others backs that loosened the sand in their hair. And Conner remembered how angry hed been at Palmer the last few days, at the betrayal of his not being there to go camping with them, and such concerns seemed petty. Beneath his worry.
I love you, Brother, Palmer whispered in his ear.
And Conner had to turn and go quickly away before his great facade crumbled.
51 Waterpump Ridge
There were a few torches and lamps burning out across the dunes. Occasional voices could be heard as people shouted into the wind, calling for one another. The sand in the air was mild, the stars overhead bright. The glow of illumination in Springston that normally drowned out the constellations had been smothered. Extinguished. Conner thought of all the diving that would need to be done to reclaim what the sands had taken.