And beneath my shirt, the scar on my stomach began to burn again.
I pressed my palm against it.
The heat was spreading.
Slowly.
Almost deliberately.
"Destiny?"
I looked up.
Conrad was watching me.
"I'm fine."
"You keep saying that."
"Because I am."
He gave me a look that told me he didn't believe me.
Before he could say anything else, Mr. Martin spoke.
"We're moving."
His voice sounded strained.
"Nobody separates. Nobody wanders off. And nobody looks behind them unless I tell you to."
My heart dropped.
Nobody looks behind them.
The words on the tree flashed through my mind.
DON'T LET HER LOOK BEHIND YOU.
I stared at Mr. Martin.
"Sir…"
He looked at me.
"Yes?"
"Why did you say that?"
He hesitated.
"For safety."
"Because of the message?"
His expression changed.
Only for a second.
But I noticed.
"Mr. Martin?"
"Keep walking, Destiny."
He turned away.
That wasn't an answer.
And somehow…
That scared me more than if he'd said yes.
We began walking again.
