The Three Most Wanted by Corinna Turner Page B

and I, after uni... we are going to join the Resistance.”
    Louis’s long-suffering mutter of “lunatics” was enough to show he’d no such plans himself. Juwan was still frowning—the need for trust ran both ways now.
    “So y’see, you can stick with us,” said Dominique firmly.
    Bane and I glanced at each other and at Jon.
    “Really doesn’t sound like such a bad idea,” said Jon, in English. Considering those flat trails, his neutrality was impressive.
    “Does sound good,” I said.
    “Yeah,” said Bane slowly and looked at the other three again. “Well, probably-maybe, but we’re going to sleep on it.”
    “Fair enough,” said Juwan.
    “Fantastique,” said Dominique.
    Louis just shrugged.
     
    Bane and I shared watches again, though we’d already agreed it would be the last time if the foray to Clermont went uneventfully and we stayed with the others. The next morning we were nodding over our coffee and croissants worse than Jon!
    Helping Dominique wash dishes woke me up a bit. Louis and Juwan were stuffing their sleeping bags loosely into their three rucksacks to make them look full—backpackers didn’t generally leave their tents pitched in the forest.
    “Let’s have your scentSeal bag,” Juwan called to Bane.
    Bane chucked it across. Dominique eyed the limp plastiFabric.
    “You were totally out, then.”
    “Certainly were,” I told her.
    “Poor little beggars!”
    I flicked suds at her and we both giggled. Well, I voted for staying with them. We could be in Rome before we knew it. Three willing confederates, they must be heaven sent, even if their future career plans were a little... disagreeable.
    “Are you sure ?” I couldn’t help saying, when they stood ready to depart. “I am worried you’re underestimating how dangerous helping us could be for you.”
    “We’re sure, Margo,” said Dominique.
    “Of course,” said Juwan, his brow furrowed. “You three... you three make me feel so ashamed.”
    “ Ashamed? Of what?”
    “Of myself. Especially... especially you , Bane. I mean, your friends are sent to the Facility and what do you do? You spring them. All of them! Me? My best friend’s sent to the Facility and what do I do? Carry right on planning my hiking trip. Pah.” He spat on the ground.
    Bane went red. “Don’t put me on a pedestal, Juwan. I always knew Jon would fail Sorting but it was only when they took Margo that it actually occurred to me to get off my rear and do something about it. And I only took them all—only took Jon , even—because Margo insisted on it.”
    “You should’ve left me behind,” said Jon.
    “Oh, shut up,” said Bane and I in unison.
    Juwan just shrugged. “Well, it’s a darn sight more than I did for Piers.”
    “I suppose... it’s not too late to...?” I ventured.
    Juwan’s face tightened even more. “It is. Just before we set off they... he... his parents received... it.”
    I swallowed. “I’m sorry.” What else was there to say? “Requiescat in Pace.”
    “Requiescat in Pace,” murmured Jon.
    “Yeah,” muttered Juwan. “Well, we’d better go.” As an afterthought, he pulled out his phone and handed it to Bane. “Here, catch up on the news while we’re away. See you in a bit.”
    They set off briskly through the forest. We’d set up camp some way from the trail last night, due to the position of a stream in the valley bottom, and what’d seemed a nuisance then was convenient now. No need to move our camp. We could’ve all packed up our stuff, but the others clearly wanted to leave their tent behind as an indicator of good faith. Not just the tent... Bane whistled as he turned the phone in his hands before placing it very carefully in his pocket.
    Jon offered to stay awake, so Bane and I collapsed back into our sleeping bags and slept for another two oh-so-welcome hours before being chased out of the tent by the heat. At the tent entrance, I paused and reached back to poke Bane, tilting my head towards the