Jared and Ian closed ranks in front of me like stage curtains.
“You heard him,” Jared said.
“Can I say something first?” Kyle asked. He peered down through the space between them.
They didn’t respond.
“I’m not sorry,” Kyle told me. “I still think it was the right thing to do.”
Ian shoved his brother. Kyle reeled back but then stepped forward again.
“Hold on, I’m not done.”
“Yeah, you are,” Jared said. His hands were clenched, the skin over his knuckles white.
Everyone had noticed now. The room was hushed, all the fun of the game lost.
“No, I’m not.” Kyle held his hands up, a gesture of surrender, and spoke to me again. “I don’t think I was wrong, but you did save my life. I don’t know why, but you did. So I figure, a life for a life. I won’t kill you. I’ll pay the debt that way.”
“You stupid jackass,” Ian said.
“Who’s got the crush on a worm, bro? You gonna call me stupid?”
Ian lifted his fists, leaning forward.
“I’ll tell you why,” I said, making my voice louder than I wanted to. But it had the effect I was after. Ian and Jared and Kyle turned to stare at me, fight forgotten for the moment.
It made me nervous. I cleared my throat. “I didn’t let you fall because… because I’m not like you. I’m not saying that I’m not… like humans. Because there are others here who would do the same. There are kind and good people here. People like your brother, and Jeb, and Doc… I’m saying that I’m not like you personally.”
Kyle stared at me for a minute and then chuckled. “Ouch,” he said, still laughing. He turned away from us then, his message given, and walked back to get some water. “Life for a life,” he called over his shoulder.
I wasn’t sure I believed him. Not sure at all. Humans were good liars.
CHAPTER 37
Wanted
There was a pattern to the wins. If Jared and Kyle played together, they won. If Jared played with Ian, then that team would win. It seemed to me that Jared could not be defeated, until I saw the brothers play together.
At first it seemed to be a strained thing, for Ian at least, playing as teammates with Kyle. But after a few minutes of running in the dark, they fell into a familiar pattern—a pattern that had existed since long before I’d come to this planet.
Kyle knew what Ian would do before Ian did it, and vice versa. Without having to speak, they told each other everything. Even when Jared pulled all the best players to his side—Brandt, Andy, Wes, Aaron, Lily, and Maggie as goalie—Kyle and Ian were victorious.
“Okay, okay,” Jeb said, catching Aaron’s goal attempt with one hand and tucking the ball under his arm. “I think we all know the winners. Now, I hate to be a party pooper, but there’s work waiting… and, to be honest, I’m bushed.”
There were a few halfhearted protests and a few moans, but more laughter. No one seemed too upset to have the fun end. From the way a few people sat down right where they were and put their heads between their knees to breathe, it was clear Jeb wasn’t the only one who was tired out.
People began to drift out in twos and threes. I scooted to one side of the corridor’s mouth, making room for them to pass, probably on their way to the kitchen. It had to be past time for lunch, though it was hard to mark the hour in this black hole. Through the gaps in the line of exiting humans, I watched Kyle and Ian.
When the game was called, Kyle had raised his hand for a high five, but Ian had stalked past him without acknowledging the gesture. Then Kyle caught his brother’s shoulder and spun him around. Ian knocked Kyle’s hand away. I tensed for a fight—and it seemed like one at first. Kyle threw a punch toward Ian’s stomach. Ian dodged it easily, though, and I saw that there was no force behind it. Kyle laughed and used his superior reach to rub his fist into Ian’s scalp. Ian smacked that hand away, but this time he halfway smiled.
“Good game, bro,” I heard Kyle say. “You’ve still got it.”
“You’re such an idiot, Kyle,” Ian answered.
“You got the brains; I got the looks. Seems fair.”
Kyle threw another half-strength punch. This time, Ian caught it and twisted his brother into a headlock. Now he was really smiling, and Kyle was cussing and laughing at the same time.
It all looked very violent to me; my eyes narrowed, tight with the stress of watching. But at the same time, it brought to mind one of Melanie’s memories: three puppies rolling on the grass, yapping furiously and baring their teeth as if their only desire was to rip out their brothers’ throats.
Yes, they’re playing, Melanie confirmed. The bonds of brotherhood go deep.
As they should. This is right. If Kyle really doesn’t kill us, this will be a good thing.
If, Melanie repeated morosely.
“Hungry?”
I looked up, and my heart stopped beating for a slightly painful moment. It seemed that Jared was still a believer.
I shook my head. This gave me the moment I needed to be able to speak to him. “I’m not sure why, since I’ve done nothing besides sit here, but I’m just tired.”
He held out his hand.
Get a hold of yourself, Melanie warned me. He’s just being courteous.
You think I don’t know that?
I tried to keep my hand from shaking as I reached for his.
He pulled me carefully to my feet—to my foot, really. I balanced there on my good leg, not sure how to proceed. He was confused, too. He still held my hand, but there was a wide space between us. I thought of how ridiculous I would look hopping through the caves, and felt my neck get warm. My fingers curled around his, though I wasn’t really using him for support.