ed, hungry people. The supplies were inventoried by Liam, who was the natural leader, and Mike, who appointed himself

heir small share. I took my single biscuit and half-bottl

ing at my small portion. "You look like you could use some more. I

tarving. She just wanted the solid f

ed. "Don' t be selfish

voice cut in from behind me.

His face was set in a hard, disapproving line. He was still weak,

I asked,

looked no more or less thirsty than anyone el

s power over me, the power of our shared past, to publ

of disbelief and anger. "This is my share," I said,

voice cold. He took a step closer, tow

mphant smile on her face. She was enjoying th

rgiving face to Sarah' s greedy one, and then to Tiffany' s victorious sm

h snatched it from my hand and scurr

ght thing. "Good," he said, before turning and walki

ock was so profound it left me breathless. He had always been my protector. Now h

her. I just felt a cold, hard knot of resolve tight

nd a way to survive on my own terms. My mind was sharp, focused. I remembered the lessons my foster dad

gnal fire on the highest point of the island. Another team was tasked

made up. I found Liam. "I want to

ong, tough climb, Chloe. And you

," I said, m

nt, then nodded. "Okay. We n

gathered, Tiffany' s voice piped u

Tiffany. It' s too dangerous. You s

looking around with a martyred expression.

. She just wanted to be near Ethan, and she wanted

omat, agreed. "The

had been recovered from the wreckage. "Here," he said quietly. "These sh

ou, Liam," I said, genuinely grateful. He w

with a small smile. "We have

high-energy protein bars that he had clearly hidden away from the communal supplies. They were meant for her, a secret stash to make her journey easi

Liam' s gaze. He had seen it too. He didn' t say anything, but the look in h

asn't completely alone. And that gave