Just when she began to fear that this was an evil prank, that this path led to a cliff overlooking rocks that stood like spears, the glow fell on a large, round pond. Rain fell on its surface, but the Glimmering was as smooth as a mirror. A spring bubbled gently in its center. Slender conical mountains rose beyond it. Doves cooed in nearby trees.
The pond was surrounded by a bright amethyst ring of flowers. Tall, purple-lobed, gossipwitch orchids. Purple flamingos struck curious poses as they stalked the enchanted border of the enchanted pond.
Eureka turned her good ear toward a happy moan she recognized from many after-party rides home with Cat. Her friend leaned against the trunk of a pine tree near the Glimmering, wrapped in the Poets arms.
Something drew Eurekas gaze above Cat and the Poet, to the limbs of the tree they leaned against. A shadow shifted on a branch. Eureka didnt need moonlight to recognize Brooks. How long had he been up there, watching Cat, waiting for what?
For Eureka, of course. She knew Atlass plans now. She knew her role was to undo the Filling. She knew where his precious robot was. All this gave her power she didnt yet know how to use.
Hang on, Brooks, she yearned to say. Just hang on a little longer.
His legs dangled over a thick pine arm. He knew Eureka saw him. Very slowly, he drew his pointer finger to his lips.
Dare I suggest a skinny-dip before we fill the jugs? Cat said to the Poet. Leaning in the wet grass at their feet were four clay drinking vessels they must have brought from the Poets cave.
What is skinny-dip? the Poet asked.
Allow me to demonstrate. Cat crossed her arms and began to remove her sweater.
Cat! Eureka called. Stop!
Eureka? For a moment a smile lit Cats face. Then it disappeared. Eureka realized that Cat would have been happy to see the girl Eureka used to bebut not the murderer standing before her now. What are you doing here?
Eureka thought about the way shed just treated Ander. What did she think she was holding on to? What good would it do to say shed been worried about Cat? Anger flashed in her eyes. She was mad at herself, and at Atlas, but Cat was in her line of fire.
This isnt a sexcapade with a bayou boy.
Really? Cats face darkened. I could have sworn this was Lafayette and we were in the alley by the daiquiri store. How stupid do you think I am? Thats an actual question. I left my family to run away with you and some nut job you barely know. Then you, the girl I thought was my best friend, turn out to be the real nut job I barely know.
Cat, we have to go.
You act like you dont even care about all the horrible things happening.
I care. Thats why Im here.
But you cant cry about it, right? You have a great excuse to pretend that nothing matters, so you dont have to feel it. I left everything, lost everything, just like you. Guess what? I found freshwater. Youre not the only person in the world who can help.
Stay away from that water. Its dangerous. It isnt even water.
Dont say anything else. Cat stopped Eureka. I dont want to discover what new way youve found to underestimate me.
Eureka tried to pull her friend farther from the water. Ill explain once we get far away from here.
Go home. Cat snapped her arm free. It was the closest either of them had come to admitting that they werent just temporarily at odds. Their real homes were gone. Eureka had destroyed them. This place, this night, that evil ten feet up in the tree, was all they had.
Please come with me, Cat.
The purple light had disappeared. Eureka wondered if shed imagined her encounter with Esme. The spring bubbled innocently.
Girlsthe Poet raised one of the jugslets all just rock the boat, there is nothing to be afraid of. See.
Dont! Eureka called after him. Your reflection
The Poet turned to face the water. He stood at the Glimmerings edge. He lowered the jug toward the surfacethen he stopped. He shook his head like he was trying to erase the vision before him. He dropped the jug.
Ten feet away and holding Cat back, Eureka couldnt see what the Poet saw in his reflection. He cried out something in his native tongue. His legs wobbled unsteadily. He reached into his cargo pockets and withdrew a can of spray paint.
Whats he doing? Cat said.
Eureka held her tighter as the Poet sprayed a cloud of black paint above the Glimmering. He wanted to paint over what he saw, to change the canvas. But he couldnt. And he couldnt turn away. His cloud-lit profile revealed a boy in agony, but strangely, the Poets hands reached forward, grasping for something ahead of him.
Esmes words returned to Eureka: Mortals can face many things, but they cannot face their true identities. She glanced back at the pine tree, at the still shadow she knew was watching.
Hell fall in, Cat said.
No matter what happens, Eureka said to Cat, promise youll stay away from that water.
The Poet reached for his reflection in the pond, entranced. Then he tumbled into the water without a splash.
Poet! Cat shouted, dragging Eureka a few steps toward the water.
The pond was surrounded by a bright amethyst ring of flowers. Tall, purple-lobed, gossipwitch orchids. Purple flamingos struck curious poses as they stalked the enchanted border of the enchanted pond.
Eureka turned her good ear toward a happy moan she recognized from many after-party rides home with Cat. Her friend leaned against the trunk of a pine tree near the Glimmering, wrapped in the Poets arms.
Something drew Eurekas gaze above Cat and the Poet, to the limbs of the tree they leaned against. A shadow shifted on a branch. Eureka didnt need moonlight to recognize Brooks. How long had he been up there, watching Cat, waiting for what?
For Eureka, of course. She knew Atlass plans now. She knew her role was to undo the Filling. She knew where his precious robot was. All this gave her power she didnt yet know how to use.
Hang on, Brooks, she yearned to say. Just hang on a little longer.
His legs dangled over a thick pine arm. He knew Eureka saw him. Very slowly, he drew his pointer finger to his lips.
Dare I suggest a skinny-dip before we fill the jugs? Cat said to the Poet. Leaning in the wet grass at their feet were four clay drinking vessels they must have brought from the Poets cave.
What is skinny-dip? the Poet asked.
Allow me to demonstrate. Cat crossed her arms and began to remove her sweater.
Cat! Eureka called. Stop!
Eureka? For a moment a smile lit Cats face. Then it disappeared. Eureka realized that Cat would have been happy to see the girl Eureka used to bebut not the murderer standing before her now. What are you doing here?
Eureka thought about the way shed just treated Ander. What did she think she was holding on to? What good would it do to say shed been worried about Cat? Anger flashed in her eyes. She was mad at herself, and at Atlas, but Cat was in her line of fire.
This isnt a sexcapade with a bayou boy.
Really? Cats face darkened. I could have sworn this was Lafayette and we were in the alley by the daiquiri store. How stupid do you think I am? Thats an actual question. I left my family to run away with you and some nut job you barely know. Then you, the girl I thought was my best friend, turn out to be the real nut job I barely know.
Cat, we have to go.
You act like you dont even care about all the horrible things happening.
I care. Thats why Im here.
But you cant cry about it, right? You have a great excuse to pretend that nothing matters, so you dont have to feel it. I left everything, lost everything, just like you. Guess what? I found freshwater. Youre not the only person in the world who can help.
Stay away from that water. Its dangerous. It isnt even water.
Dont say anything else. Cat stopped Eureka. I dont want to discover what new way youve found to underestimate me.
Eureka tried to pull her friend farther from the water. Ill explain once we get far away from here.
Go home. Cat snapped her arm free. It was the closest either of them had come to admitting that they werent just temporarily at odds. Their real homes were gone. Eureka had destroyed them. This place, this night, that evil ten feet up in the tree, was all they had.
Please come with me, Cat.
The purple light had disappeared. Eureka wondered if shed imagined her encounter with Esme. The spring bubbled innocently.
Girlsthe Poet raised one of the jugslets all just rock the boat, there is nothing to be afraid of. See.
Dont! Eureka called after him. Your reflection
The Poet turned to face the water. He stood at the Glimmerings edge. He lowered the jug toward the surfacethen he stopped. He shook his head like he was trying to erase the vision before him. He dropped the jug.
Ten feet away and holding Cat back, Eureka couldnt see what the Poet saw in his reflection. He cried out something in his native tongue. His legs wobbled unsteadily. He reached into his cargo pockets and withdrew a can of spray paint.
Whats he doing? Cat said.
Eureka held her tighter as the Poet sprayed a cloud of black paint above the Glimmering. He wanted to paint over what he saw, to change the canvas. But he couldnt. And he couldnt turn away. His cloud-lit profile revealed a boy in agony, but strangely, the Poets hands reached forward, grasping for something ahead of him.
Esmes words returned to Eureka: Mortals can face many things, but they cannot face their true identities. She glanced back at the pine tree, at the still shadow she knew was watching.
Hell fall in, Cat said.
No matter what happens, Eureka said to Cat, promise youll stay away from that water.
The Poet reached for his reflection in the pond, entranced. Then he tumbled into the water without a splash.
Poet! Cat shouted, dragging Eureka a few steps toward the water.
