The barbecue wound down. Students started to leave as the sky turned dark blue. Nina led her group away from the lodge noise. Lamps lit the gravel trail.
"Okay, the official star-gazing spot is supposed to be up here." She looked at a small map from the front desk. "It's a clearing with a good view. And more importantly, no people."
They walked up the trail. The only sound was their footsteps on the gravel. Jake and Ruby had fallen into step together. They talked quietly about pirate movies. Kofi walked beside Nina. Thea was a few paces behind them, her hands in the pockets of the new jacket he had bought her.
"So." Nina's voice was a low whisper. "How's our patient doing? She seems… quieter than before."
"She's okay." Kofi glanced back at Thea. "She's just taking it all in. This is a lot for her."
"And for you. You haven't stopped moving since we got here. You're trying to manage everyone."
"Someone has to."
