1269_UgliesFreeBook

226 Scott Westerfeld
the place so satellites can’t see it, and they mask the handphone
transmissions so they won’t be intercepted. And all
the secrecy about runaways is way overdone. And dangerous.
Just think—if you hadn’t been smart enough to figure
out my directions, you could be halfway to Alaska by
now!”
“I don’t know, Shay. Maybe they know what they’re
doing. The city authorities can be pretty tough.”
Shay laughed. “Don’t tell me you believe in Special
Circumstances.”
“I . . .” Tally closed her eyes. “I just think that the
Smokies have to be careful.”
“Okay, sure. I’m not saying we should advertise. But if
people like you and me want to come out here and live differently,
why shouldn’t we? I mean, no one has the right to
tell us we have to be pretty, right?”
“Maybe they’re just worried because we’re kids. You
know?”
“That’s the problem with the cities, Tally. Everyone’s a
kid, pampered and dependent and pretty. Just like they say
in school: Big-eyed means vulnerable. Well, like you once
told me, you have to grow up sometime.”
Tally nodded. “I know what you mean, how the uglies
here are more grown up. You can see it in their faces.”
Shay pulled Tally to a stop and looked at her closely for
a second. “You feel guilty, don’t you?”
Tally looked back into Shay’s eyes, speechless for a