Chapter 6

I removed the old backpack from my shoulders and dropped it into the brown, crusty leaves of the undergrowth. I caught my breath. I'd climbed a steep hill to find an isolated location far behind a great wall of trees and hidden from sight by bushes and steep slopes on each side. I was a long way from any path. I was even further from other people.

I listened out for noises but could only hear the light rustling of leaves disturbed by a gust of wind. Once I'd established that I was alone, I got onto my knees and unzipped the backpack. I did it calmly and quietly, anxious that maybe I wasn't alone.

The small gardening tool I picked out wouldn't make it easy to dig a hole because it was designed for loose soil, but it would get the job done. I took it firmly in my right hand and forced it into the ground below me. I wiggled it to go deeper and, when satisfied, I pressed down on the angled handle, forcing up a small quantity of dirt and crusty leaves. I threw it to the side.

I kept going until the hole I'd created was about a foot deep. Just enough to hide what I intended to keep secret. I listened again for sounds of activity, and when I heard nothing, I reached into the backpack.

The two bags crinkled in my fingers as I removed them. The white, glassy substance within the bags glistened in what little light shone between the leaves of the trees around me.

I'd resorted to it once again. I thought I wouldn't have to, but I had. It disgusted me. It repulsed me. But I needed it.

Not now, though. It was too risky to keep it around the house, especially with people capable of morphing animals with a strong sense of smell. It would have to stay out here where nobody would find it.

I dropped the bags into the hole and replaced the soil. I needed it to look natural, like nobody had disturbed it.

Then I heard a snap. It was distant, but it echoed and bounced through the trees. I froze and listened again.

Another snap, and from the same area behind me. The leaves rustled, but the wind wasn't controlling them this time.

My hands rushed to cover the bags, scrambled at loose dirt and compressing it flat, level with the surroundings. I zipped up the backpack and flung it violently over my shoulder as I rose clumsily to my feet.

Toby couldn't have seen it as she emerged from the line of trees. She spotted me and altered her course. Running away from her would only cause suspicion, so I had to stand my ground.

"Why are you all the way out here?" she called as she dropped to the ground with a thump.

"I wanted a walk," I grumbled. "Is that a crime now?"

I shouldn't have sounded as aggressive as I did. It only heightened her curiosity. "No, of course not. I just find it strange that you would come out so far without even mentioning it. And with a backpack."

I shrugged. "I brought along some snacks and a drink."

She took a few steps to close the gap between us, but I instinctively took an equal number away from her. I saw her blades protruding naturally out around her, which caused me more fear than I would dare admit.

"You haven't spoken to me, Marco," she stated truthfully. "I'd say you've avoided me."

"It's been a rough few months," I countered bitterly. "I'm sorry I didn't throw a reunion party when you stepped through the front door."

All the while, she was staring long into my eyes. The curiosity once present was slowly being replaced by understanding. Her expression changed, and the focus of the conversation with it. She took no steps closer. "We haven't seen each other since the war ended."

I nodded and tried to clear my head of negativity. "I just… wanted to get away from everything. But hey, I sent you letters! I even sent you a gift when your first kid was born. You never replied."

She looked down sheepishly. "I can't pretend that I didn't receive them. I thank you for them, and I'm sorry I didn't sooner."

Out of politeness, I asked, "how's the family?"

"Tiring," she said with a distinct sigh. "But I wouldn't change them for anything."

"Good," I responded.

We stood in a difficult silence. I had nothing else to say to her. Maybe she had much to say to me but was being so deliberate with what she would allow.

"I think you're doing the right thing." she suggested, bridging the void in the conversation.

"It's probably the stupid thing, too," I replied. "We've tried twice now. Both times, we just end up right where we started."

"You've made progress," she countered. "I spoke to Jake when you disappeared. He explained as much as he wanted. I could tell he was hiding things… But you have learned a lot. This isn't square one."

I chuckled derisively. "It feels like square one."

"I would like to help," she began. "But my duty is here, with my people. It always has been. I will do what I can, but unless a new seer is born in the next decade or so, I cannot do much outside the boundaries of Yellowstone."

"I never expected you to help," I replied, confused as to why she would think there was a need to excuse herself.

She stared off to the trees beside us. "You make it so difficult, coming to our doorstep. How could I forgive myself if I didn't at least consider offering my aid after all you did for us?"

"You know, Toby," I sighed. "It's been, what… eight years since we gave your mom and dad free keys to the luxury suite of Hotel Freedom? You don't need to keep playing the debt card anymore. You have your own problems, and so do we."

She rubbed at her long neck, unfettered by my reaction. "As far as my people are concerned, we will forever be in debt. Further to that, they see me as their voice. I speak for them, not just myself."

"You really are a politician, aren't you?" I said, probably sounding snarky.

Her eyelids dropped and she stared blankly at me. She could have been bored of the conversation. She could have been frustrated that I was, admittedly, being difficult. I wasn't great with Hork-Bajir expressions, and I had never been.

"You will be seeing more of my people," she said. "Jake and I have agreed on the stipulations. I will employ a sentry team, and they will have access to your home. If I had realized your… issues earlier, I might have changed things slightly, but the deal is done. Just remember, we will not hurt you. The Yeerks are long gone, Marco. The war ended years ago."

She knew. She knew precisely what troubled me, and just from the short interaction we'd had. I felt anger towards her, annoyed that she would read me like an open book despite my wanting to remain firmly closed.

The Hork-Bajir jumped to the nearest tree, but she twisted her neck around the trunk before she made her escape and spoke. "I'd recommend burying whatever that is somewhere else. Eventually, my curiosity will get the better of me."

As soon as she left, I grabbed at the loose soil with both hands. I would have to find another spot.