1269_UgliesFreeBook

132 Scott Westerfeld
“Well, mystery solved. Shay was all ready to travel to
the Smoke with a bunch of that stuff.”
“What else did she have?”
Tally shrugged. “A hoverboard. A special one, with
solar.”
“Of course a hoverboard. What is it about those things
and miscreants? And what did Shay plan to eat, do you
suppose?”
“She had food in packets. Dehydrated.”
“Like this?” Dr. Cable produced a silvery food pack.
“Yeah. She had enough for four weeks.” Tally took a
deep breath. “Two weeks, if I’d gone along. More than
enough, she said.”
“Two weeks? Not so very far.” Dr. Cable pulled a black
knapsack from beside her desk and started to pack the
various objects into it. “You might just make it.”
“Make it? Make what?”
“The trip. To the Smoke.”
“Me?”
“Tally, only you can understand these directions.”
“I told you: I don’t know what they mean!”
“But you will, once you’re on the journey. And if
you’re . . . properly motivated.”
“But I already told you everything you wanted to
know. I gave you the note. You promised!”
Dr. Cable shook her head. “My promise, Tally, was that
you wouldn’t be pretty until you helped us to the very best