Chapter Eight

Over the next couple of weeks, most of the camp's activity was, of course, digging holes. There was really nothing else we could do. We tried to find time between each hole to have fun, but they didn't have a lot to keep us occupied either, since work was the whole point of being there. One thing that kept me busy was this strange new closeness with Squid. Nothing had really happened since that time walking back when he first kissed me, but I kept wondering if something would happen. As far as my tent mate was concerned, she was having a lot of fun sneaking around with XRay. They both dug their holes very fast and would walk off. No one really knew where they went most of the time, but I had a pretty good idea what they were doing.

It was the middle of July and I was really regretting not trying harder to postpone my trial until later in the year. Sometimes I felt like I was getting heatstroke being out there. My skin was getting this warm cinnamon tan and my normally dark brown hair was getting lighter and redder as I spent so much time in the sun.

One particularly warm day, I looked over and saw Squid working hard, his bare back glistening, his jumpsuit long unzipped and tied at his waist. I was struck by a strange feeling in my stomach. As the day went on, an idea popped into my head. It was time to end this weirdness once and for all.

The day was ending and Squid slid into my hole. He was leaning against the side as I placed my shovel along the other edge. I walked over to him and he turned his head to the side with a confused look on his face. I put my hands on the wall on either side of him and kissed him. I backed away. Suddenly, he pushed me against the other side of my hole and kissed me back.

We walked back to our tents about an hour later, his arm around my waist.

From behind us, a voice shouted, "What are you two doing out so late?"

We spun around to see the Warden, her hands on her hips.

She shouted again, "This is a detention camp. This is not a social club. Scotland, Squid, return to your own tents now. I'm splitting you up tomorrow."

I looked at Squid sadly and walked back to my tent.