Everland(42)

I’m about to ask why Bella is so special when Dozer emerges from the dark tunnel and stops at the heap of boys, all tangled up with arms and legs in wrestling maneuvers.

“You’re kidding me,” he says. “I leave you nitwits for five minutes and I come back to find you acting like savages. You city boys are a curious bunch.”

“City boys?” I ask.

“Dozer is a Digger. He and about five other boys are in charge of creating new tunnels in and out of Everland,” Doc says. “They don’t hang out in the Lost City much. I really only see the Diggers when one of them is injured in the tunnels and I have to go patch them up.”

Dozer gives an unattractive grunt. “And you, Mole, I thought I taught you better than that. You boys,” he says before casting his gaze on me, “and girl, follow me.” He yawns, stretching his arms, and turns to proceed down the dark passage.

Mole struggles to his feet, brushes the dirt from his clothes, and reaches his hands out in search of his weapon. Pete hops up from the ground with ease and grabs the metal staff.

“Here you go, kid,” he says, handing it to Mole.

“Thanks,” Mole says. His shoulders slump and he frowns.

“Chin up. Don’t let him get to you,” Pete says, patting the boy’s shoulder. “Remember, I chose you to come on this adventure.”

Mole’s lips stretch into a wide grin. I watch the entire interaction, uncertain of what just happened but touched by his compassion toward the blind boy.

“Dozer is Mole’s older brother,” Doc says. “He’s bitter about having to be Mole’s eyes his whole life, but since their folks have perished, he’s taken on the role of Mole’s guardian.”

As the boys gather their packs and weapons, I watch Pete take special care to make sure Mole is set to travel the tunnels. I can’t help but smile at his kindness, a stark difference from his reprimand of Bella earlier.

“Well, well, why didn’t I see it sooner?” Doc says, grinning wide.

“What?” I ask, confused.

Doc picks up his own pack and medicine bag as he shakes his head. “I should’ve known.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, pulling my rucksack onto my shoulders.

He turns and faces me. “You fancy him, don’t you?”

“Who? Pete?” I whisper, not wanting the other boys to hear the conversation.

Doc rolls his eyes. “No. I meant the twelve-year-old blind boy. Of course Pete,” he says, too loudly.

We walk through the dirt tunnel as the other boys lead the way, peering over their shoulders at us. I return their puzzled expressions with a weak smile.

“Pete?” I scoff. “He’s rude and conceited and … and …” I try to come up with other flaws, but they are lost beyond my flustered thoughts and the heat prickling at my cheeks.

“Yes, but you still fancy him,” Doc says, teasing.

“Do not,” I say with insistence. “Why would I fancy anyone like him?”

Doc shrugs. “Your guess is as good as mine, but I saw that glint in your eye.”

I’m starting to protest when Pete joins us. “May I have a word with Gwen in private?” he asks.

“Don’t let me stop you.” Doc grasps the brim of his aviator cap and tips his head toward me. “Nice chatting with you.”

Doc jogs ahead and joins the other Lost Boys.

“Um, you were … well, you were right about Bella,” Pete says with some reluctance.

I raise an eyebrow. “Am I hearing you correctly? The leader of the Lost Boys is admitting he’s wrong?”

Pete stares at the ground. “I just wanted you to feel welcome. Everyone had been staring at you since you got here and Bella was being a brat. I, uh, I lost my temper. Now she’s gone and … and it’s my fault.”

“Yes, it is,” I say matter-of-factly.

Pete looks at me with surprised, wide eyes as my words settle over him. He drops his gaze back to the ground and frowns. “We have to get her back. I’ve already failed my sister. When Gabrielle died … she … Gabrielle was all that was left of my family, and then she was gone. I’ve lost everyone I ever cared for—that is, until I found Bella.” Pete’s glassy eyes meet mine. “I can’t fail her, too.”

The grief in his expression mirrors the ache in my own heart. While I grapple with the sting of my failed attempt to protect my sister, I can only imagine the anguish he must feel, being the dauntless leader of so many but having lost the most precious of them all.

I lift his chin with my hand. “We will find her. We’ll bring both of them back, Bella and Joanna. We’ll rescue them and be back to the Lost City in no time.”

Pete glances at me. “We? Does that mean you’ll stay with us?”

An awkward energy fills the space between us. “I mean you and Bella will be back at home in the Lost City.” I spin and quicken my pace, trying to catch up to the other Lost Boys.

Pete takes my arm in a gentle grasp. “You know, Gwen, you’re welcome to live in the Lost City as long as you like—you and your siblings. You’re as much an orphan as any of us.”

I flick my eyes to him and back to the ground, unwilling to meet his gaze. Orphan. The word stings. I never considered myself an orphan, even though I know my parents are gone. My head jumbles with words, looking for a response, but none come to me. Fortunately, Dozer’s deep voice bellows from the tunnel ahead. We join him where the other boys have gathered.