1269_UgliesFreeBook

112 Scott Westerfeld
gone horribly wrong. A weird and horrible new reality had
opened up, devouring the world she knew and understood.
All she had left was the small duffel bag she’d packed
for the hospital. She couldn’t even remember carrying it all
the way back here. Tally pulled out the few clothes, which
she’d shoved in at random, and found Shay’s note.
She read it, looking for clues.
Take the coaster straight past the gap,
until you find one that’s long and flat.
Cold is the sea and watch for breaks.
At the second make the worst mistake.
Four days later take the side you despise,
and look in the flowers for fire-bug eyes.
Once they’re found, enjoy the flight.
Then wait on the bald head until it’s light.
Hardly any of it made sense to her, only bits and pieces.
Shay had obviously meant to hide the meaning from anyone
else reading it, using references only the two of them
would understand. Her paranoia made a lot more sense
now. Having met Dr. Cable, Tally could see why David
wanted to keep his city—or camp, or whatever it was—a
secret.
As Tally held the note, she realized that it was what
Dr. Cable had wanted. The woman had been sitting across
the room from the letter the whole time, but they’d never