I continued with my life as though nothing had ever happened, but I couldn't really push it away. I wished that Charlie could've lived. She would be about Lottie's age now. But more than anything, I wanted to fight. Fight for the other loners. Fight for the mothers, the unborn sisters and brothers who would never see the light of day.

***

More years passed, and still I burned with longing. Lottie was ten now, and strong. She was amazing at finding things, and she was tough. If she heard the slightest sound, she would take her dagger out and continue carefully. At times I wondered if she even remembered about the makeup container.

But the makeup could not be forgotten forever. "Cassie, won't you just tell me?"

"What?" I asked, pretending that I didn't know. I hoped I didn't, at least.

"The makeup."

"Fine." I took out the compact. Inside was flaming-red powder and a slip of paper. The paper read,

Dear Cassandra,

Stay safe, and remember me. If you ever find a large oak, mark it with a red arrow, pointing in the opposite direction that you are going. But only do this once you are twenty-two.

Love,

Mother

"Oh, Cassie," she said, and leaned her head on my arm. "I understand why you didn't

want to tell me before know. But why twenty-two?"

"I don't know," I said honestly. "Maybe she planned to make her way to a place with lots

of large oaks by the time I turn twenty-two."

"Planned?" she asked. "Not plans?"

"My only memory of her is flames swallowing her. She's gone, Lottie."

"No, she's not." she said fiercely.

"How do you know?"

She never answered, because the next second, we were surrounded by people, armed with weapons. "Don't move, spies," a man demanded.

Lottie drew her knife. "We're not scared of you," she hissed.

"Lottie, no!" I exclaimed. "They're rebels. Or really well disguised soldiers, but I think they're rebels. Right?" I turned to them.

"You should know, soldier," he spat.

"We're not-"

"Oh, come on! A young adult and a little kid wandering all alone. What else to tug on our heartstrings?"

"No! I can prove it!" I fumbled for my bag.

"No weapons."

"But they're not-"

"I'll get it. What does it look like?"

"A makeup compact! Inside, there's a slip of paper."

"If this is a trap, the little girl will pay with her life," he warned, reaching in. Upon reading the slip of paper, his jaw dropped.

"Well, I guess you are with us," he said, shrugging. "Come on."

They lead us across the desert. Just as the night came, we stopped.

"We'll have to wait here for the night and continue our journey tomorrow. Elizabeth, take first watch. Jeffery, Lilac, Vanessa, set up camp. Anya, get out the rations. You two, you can rest."

He sat down on a mat made of purple flowers, just laid for us. I asked Lottie what she meant earlier.

"Piece it together. It's kind of obvious."

"What's obvious?"

"Cassie, we're sisters!"