Run For Cover Read Free Page A

light-haired one — Ryan. “We made it back to school, but then we were sent out again. This time we’re supposed to survive out here for a week.”
    “A week!” Louisa says. “Why didn’t they make us do that? That is totally sexist. Girls can survive in the wild just as well as boys.”
    “Yeah, especially if they happen to run into any boys carrying sandwiches,” I point out.
    I think she’s about to yell at me, but then her face goes thoughtful and she turns back to Ryan.
“Do
you guys have any sandwiches?” she asks. “I mean, I assume you wouldn’t say no to them this time, Queen Rosie? Now that we’re
actually
trying to survive?”
    The boys give her quizzical looks. Before I can answer her, we hear more branches snapping from up ahead of us, and then we see Maddie and Evelyn marching back through the trees. They’re pushing a third boy along in front of them.
    “Look what we found!” Evelyn says.
    “He practically tripped over us,” Maddie says. “Not very stealth.” Her eyes widen as she spots the guys with us. “Wait — we know you! Ryan! Alonso!”
    “Hey,” says Alonso, giving Evelyn a friendly nod.
    “This guy’s with us,” Ryan says, punching the new one in the shoulder. “His name is Drew. Drew, meet Louisa, Maddie, Evelyn, and Rosie.” I have to admit I’m a little impressed he remembers our names, especially mine, since we didn’t exactly meet in the friendliest way.
    Drew is taller than the others, Asian American, good-looking, and wiry, with short, straight black hair. He’s wearing a pair of sturdy silver-framed glasses and I spot a Swiss Army knife hanging from his belt. There’s something about the way he stands and the way he looks at me that reminds me of Ivan — that same aura of secrets Ivan always had, like he knows more than I do.
    Maybe it’s unfair of me, but immediately I don’t trust Drew. Even if he’s just a regular guy, even if he wouldnever do what Ivan did to my family, I don’t want him around me. Or any of them, actually. Boys are an unwelcome — and dangerous — distraction.
    “Are there any more of you?” I ask, scanning the trees. The wind seems to be picking up, and the branches are swaying over our heads so the shadows jump around in all directions. It’s a little spooky.
    Ryan shakes his head. He seems to be the unspoken leader of the guys, or at least the chattiest one. “It’s a three-person mission,” he says.
    “With sandwiches?” Louisa asks longingly. He grins and nods at her.
    “Why were you sneaking after us?” I demand.
    “We were curious.” Drew speaks for the first time. “We saw your light and wanted to know who else was out here.” His voice is quiet and deep.
    “Actually, we thought it might be Alliance spies,” Alonso says. “Sneaking across the border from Canada and up to no good.” He glances at Evelyn again; theyboth have the same bright-eyed, conspiracy-finding expression.
    “We figured we’d get a medal or something if we caught you,” Ryan adds with a grin.
    I know he’s joking, but his words send a bolt of alarm through me. What if they do decide to turn us in, or tell their teachers they saw us in the woods? I shiver, and it’s not just from the cold breeze that’s starting to whip our hair around.
    “What about you?” Drew asks. “Why are you out here?”
    “Just hiking,” I say quickly, but, of course, at the same time Evelyn opens her big mouth and cries: “We’re escaping!”
    The boys all look startled. Ryan raises his eyebrows at Louisa, and Alonso’s face lights up, but Drew looks straight at me, as if he can tell I’m hiding something.
    “Escaping from our camping group,” I say, jabbing Evelyn in the ribs. “They’re so boring, yakking awayabout, uh —” I can’t even think of anything believable. “Girl stuff. We needed a break, so we’re taking a walk. That’s all.”
    “Oh, come on, Rosie,” Evelyn starts.
    “But we should get back to them!” I say fast. I