Page 61 of Blue Arrow Island
“Did you have a question?” I ask sharply.
The corners of Nova’s lips quirk in a smile. She’s also striking, her dark skin flawless and her hair stubble short. There are precise lines cut into it down to her scalp, the pattern swirling around her ears. She’s wearing a simple silver hoop in her septum and her dark lashes are long and thick.
“Tell us about your life before the virus,” Nova says.
I don’t know what that has to do with anything. It feels like she wants to get a baseline of how I behave when I’m telling thetruth. Part of me wants to lie, but I don’t. Too many lies get hard to keep track of.
“I was a college student.”
“And how did you survive the virus?”
“I was an intern for a research project on an island off the coast of Washington state. We were isolated and when we heard about the virus, we were able to shelter in place.”
“What were you studying?”
“The effects of ocean acidification on shellfish.” I shift in my seat, looking between the two of them. “What does this have to do with anything?”
“What was the crime that got you sent here?” Marcus asks.
His expression is stony. This guy is a brick wall, physically and emotionally.
I hold up my hands, palms facing me, and let the ink answer for me.
“Can I get a verbal answer?”
I narrow my eyes. “I drank wild ginger tea so I wouldn’t get pregnant. And I got caught.”
He studies me for a few silent seconds. “That’s it? I’ve never heard of anyone getting sent here for that.”
“Guess I’m special.”
No fucking way am I telling him about Lochlan. I’m going to say as little as possible.
“What was your job assignment at Rising Tide?” Nova asks.
“Kitchen.”
Marcus’s nostrils flare slightly; it’s so subtle that I almost miss it.
“What kinds of food did you prepare?” Nova rests her elbows on the table, steepling her fingers.
It’s such a stretch to call what we served at Rising Tide food. “At first, there was fruit. Some smoked fish. But after the hurricane...” I shake my head. “Bugs? Algae?”
Something holds me back from mentioning that the Tiders are eating their own people.
“Tell us everything you saw and experienced in the camp,” Nova says.
I shake my head. “Look, I’ve been cooperative. I appreciate what you guys have done for me, but I have questions, too.”
“You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions.”
“Yeah, which you guys may or may not answer.” I cross my arms. “You want answers from me, you give me some answers first.”
Marcus’s expression remains impassive. “What do you want to know?”
“Where are we? Are we still on the island?”
“Yes, you’re at our camp.”
