Behind the Stars by Leigh Talbert Moore Page A

mine. “So what do you think?”
    “That woman Cato’s in charge, I’m sure of it. Now that I’m working with her little brother, I might be able to get some answers. He didn’t get here til later, but he oughta know something.”
    “How you gonna get him to talk?” Roxie was tying off my braid as she asked.
    “Just, you know. Being friendly and stuff.” I couldn’t tell her I had no idea how. “If this chip thing’s true, maybe there’s a main control I can shut off or disable. If it’s a lie—”
    “Maybe he’ll tell you?”
    “I don’t know.”
    * * *
    T hat night as I headed to the barn I thought about my conversation with Roxie. How long would it take before this guy would talk to me? And what if he wouldn’t? He was one of the scariest things I’d seen yet with those wild scars and wilder eyes, and he didn’t seem too happy to be here or too intent on making friends. But I had to do something, and it seemed like this opportunity dropped in my lap. I had to make the most of it. Or at least try.
    I’d just walked through the open door when I froze. Voices were speaking in one of the stalls, and they sounded like they were arguing. Maybe this was another opportunity. I slipped behind a door, hoping I’d learn something.
    “So I’m a prisoner now, too?” It was Gallatin, and his low voice was angry.
    “Of course not,” Cato soothed. “It’s simply not safe for you to be running through the woods alone. What if you were injured?”
    “I hate it here. It’s boring as hell, the people are dull, and it’s unbearably hot.”
    “Hotter than the desert?”
    “I feel like I’m drowning in this air.”
    “You’ll adapt,” Cato’s voice was motherly. “And some people actually like it here.”
    “Water signs like you. Protectors.”
    “It’s true we had different fathers, but we shared a mother. You could still learn to appreciate the quiet beauty of the forest.”
    “There’s quiet beauty in the desert.”
    They didn’t speak, and I heard movements. I was just about to peek around when suddenly he spoke in a pleading voice. “Let me go back, Cato. I don’t want to be here.”
    She let out a sigh. “No.”
    He made a frustrated growl that was followed a loud Bang! I must’ve jumped two inches. A few of the cows bellowed. I leaned forward on shaky legs to see what had happened. Gallatin had his back to her. His hands clutched the top of a stall, and it looked like he’d kicked a hole in the bottom of it. I jerked back.
    “You’re going to repair that.” Her voice was calm, undisturbed.
    He didn’t answer, and for a moment, I didn’t know what would happen. I heard movement and peeked again to see her going to him and putting her hand on his shoulder. She rubbed it back and forth until finally he softened.
    “I’m sorry,” he said. “I think that board was rotten.”
    “Hm. Perhaps we don’t know our own strength these days.”
    “I know I’m strong enough to protect myself. Let him try another cowardly strike like before and see what happens.”
    “Gallatin,” she sighed. “You’re old enough to be more cooperative.”
    “I’m old enough to be where I want.”
    I jumped back behind the door when she turned away from him, facing my direction. Her arms were crossed over her stomach, and I saw her eyes were closed like she was having a painful memory.
    “I’ll never forget what happened. How you looked when I finally reached you, Sontag... I can’t sleep not knowing you’re safe, and I could never get to you in time if something happened again.”
    I heard him move, and I could only imagine he was going to her. His voice sounded less angry when he spoke.
    “How much longer must we stay here?”
    “Not much. Why don’t you talk to your grandfather again? That always cheers you.” I heard a smile in her warm tone.
    “Yes. I could try that.”
    “You know, I was hoping you might consider being my guard. When the time comes.”
    “I would be honored to protect