1269_UgliesFreeBook

338 Scott Westerfeld
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In a cave near the house, the opening so small that Tally
had to crawl inside on her belly, David showed her the
cache of gear his parents had tended for twenty years.
There were water purifiers, direction finders, lightweight
clothes, and sleeping bags—by Smokey standards,
an absolute fortune in survival equipment. The four hoverboards
had old-fashioned styling, but they were fitted with
the same features as the one Dr. Cable had supplied Tally
with for the trip to the Smoke, and there was a package of
spare belly sensors, sealed against moisture. Everything was
of the highest quality.
“Wow, they did plan ahead.”
“Always,” he said. He picked up a flashlight and tested
its beam against the stone. “Every time I came here to check
on all this stuff, I would imagine this moment. A million
times I planned exactly what I would need. It’s almost like
I imagined it so much that it had to happen.”
“It’s not your fault, David.”
“If I’d been here—”
“You’d be in a Special Circumstances hovercar right
now, handcuffed, not likely to rescue anyone.”
“Yeah, and instead, I’m here.” He looked at her. “But at
least you are too. You’re the one thing I never imagined, all
those times. An unexpected ally.”
She managed to smile.
He pulled out a big waterproof bag. “I’m starving.”