Page 31 of Leveling

“What direction does it face?”

“Southeast.”

“Sunrise.”

“And there’s a trail, about a half mile, that ends in a place that faces west.”

“Sunset.”

“See, sunrise and sunset.”

“When we get there, can we buy chocolate?”

“Enough for twenty-two people. And thank you for your ‘we,’ Anna.”

“You’re welcome,” said Luna.

Luna slithered over Beckett’s body and rolled onto his other side. “Are you sleepy?”

He said, “I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open, actually.”

She sat up. “How about I do the lashing together tonight.” She pantomimed uncoiling a rope, wrapping it around them both, and tying a big, firm, pretend, yet perfect, holding-while-you-sleep-out-on-the-ocean knot. The kind of knot her family would have approved of if they had seen it. The kind of knot that, if real, would have meant no one would ever drift away in the night. “And I’ll take the first watch.”

Luna curled beside Beckett, hugged into his side, holding on and watching as he fell asleep. She tried to sleep on her back and then her other side. She tried covers and uncovered. Then she really did keep watch, standing and, like a sentry, walking the perimeter of the roof top, looking in all directions. Her gaze watchful, searching, the breeze ruffling her hair. Until finally she was tired enough to sleep.

She lay down beside Beckett and drifted away.

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