Mania by J. R. Johansson Page B

best friend. Though I lost my mom young, Libby had been even younger; she was only five when her mother was killed fighting the Takers. Marisol had taken care of the two of us like we were her own. It was just who she was. She’d been unable to have kids, so she became the mom of the whole camp.
    Randall smiled too and gestured to the rest of the group to go back to a large common area they’d set up in the middle of the trailers. Turning back to Marisol and me, he said, “We’ll let you two catch up, but come find me again before you leave.”
    I patted him on the shoulder. “Count on it. I have a question for you, anyway. I’ll see you in a minute.”
    Marisol wrapped her arms around me, led me a few steps to one side of the path, and whispered in my ear.
    â€œI’ve always kept your parents’ secret, but I know you mourn for more than a mentor right now, child.” Her dark eyes wrinkled around the edges and her slight Jamaican accent was so serene that her words caught me off-guard. She pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes with her piercing gaze. “The question is, does he know?” She inclined her head toward Parker and raised her eyebrows.
    My back stiffened and I couldn’t keep my eyes from widening. Marisol had known that Danny was my dad all this time? I had no idea, and I’m not sure if Dad even knew. Still, if my parents were going to trust someone, Marisol was without question the best choice. She’d certainly been trustworthy, and she’d always tried to watch out for me. She kept me safe.
    I nodded slowly. “He does.”
    She smiled and then hugged me again. “Good. This is the perfect time to cling to family.”
    â€œMarisol … ” I gave her one last hug and then pulled away. “This is Parker and his friend Finn.”
    â€œSo nice to meet you, boys.” She smiled wide, again looking at the air over their heads. This time Parker glanced at me with a slightly amused expression. I gave him a small smile, not at all surprised that he’d noticed the custom. He was more perceptive than he gave himself credit for.
    Marisol gestured toward me. “You know, Jack’s mum and I go way back to when we were small. Just like Jack and Libby.”
    â€œSpeaking of … ” I was tall enough to see over almost everyone, but I still hadn’t seen Libby’s dark curls in the group. “Where is she?”
    Marisol smiled at something over my shoulder, then gave a little wave and turned to follow Randall. In the next instant, someone jumped on my back and I heard Libby’s laughter in my ear. “At least you still come looking for me occasionally.”
    I chuckled and reached behind me for her waist, tugging her around to stand in front of me. “You’ve got better things to do than worry about where I’ve gone off to anyway.”
    She stopped laughing, but her brown eyes sparkled the way they had in her dreams when we were kids. “You know I always worry.”
    Then her eyes shifted to Finn and Parker and she smiled again, staring them straight in the eyes without hesitation. Same old Libby, always too trusting … she’d never been as cautious as she should’ve been. “You found other friends? Finally. I’ve been wondering when someone else would be able to put up with you.”
    I put my hand over her mouth and said with the straightest face I could manage, “Parker and Finn, this is Libby.”
    She spoke through my fingers as she reached out to shake their hands. “N-ice to m—feet, y-ouf.”
    I dropped my hand to my side but couldn’t help smiling. There was something infectious about Libby. You couldn’t be near her and not notice it.
    Parker and Finn were smiling back at her already. Parker said, “It’s nice to finally meet someone who can keep Jack in line.”
    Libby’s expression turned very serious and she