The Prey Read Free

himself between me and Sissy.
    “Getting off this boat is a big mistake, Sissy,” I say, stepping around Epap. His back bristles with annoyance. “Didn’t we learn anything from last night? There’s—”
    “What part of ‘mind your own business’ do you not understand?” Epap snarls. “In fact, just go get the rope lines ready. We’ll need to anchor this boat down once we land.”
    “Are you out of your mind? They want to eat us—”
    Epap’s head flies around, raw disdain swimming in his eyes. “Oh, really, figured that one out yourself, did you?”
    “Listen! They might still be out there—”
    “Not anymore, they aren’t,” Epap says. “Don’t you know anything about them? I’m surprised how little you know considering you’ve lived in their midst your whole life. Hello, the sun burns them up. And hello, the sun is shining down now.”
    “It’s not enough sun. The hunters, they’re clever, they improvise, they have technology, they have determination. You underestimate them at your own peril.”
    “The only thing out there is food,” Epap yells back. “There’s wildlife running everywhere, it’s like a petting zoo out there. Must have seen at least three prairie dogs already. Now, just leave the decision making to Sissy and me.”
    “Epap,” Sissy says. She shakes her head. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s too risky.”
    A wounded expression crosses his face. “But Sissy, I don’t understand. You just agreed to go hunting for food.” His eyes are equal parts confused and incredulous. “You know how hungry we are. Think of poor Ben.”
    “Of course. But let’s be levelheaded about this, okay?”
    “No, Sissy, you just agreed with me. That we should dock and go hunting.”
    “I’m trying to be careful—”
    “Is it because of him?” Epap says, jabbing a finger at me. “Just because he said we shouldn’t dock, and suddenly you’re agreeing with him?”
    “Stop.”
    “Because of him?”
    “Epap! I’m not saying we stay off the land for good. But let’s wait for the skies to clear. For the sun to really scorch the land. If we have to wait until tomorrow, then we wait. An extra day of hunger isn’t going to kill us. But rashly and prematurely going on land just might.”
    Epap turns his back to her, anger fuming off his narrow shoulders. “Why’re you so quick to get on his good side? I can’t believe you’re siding with him!”
    “I’m not siding with anyone. I’m siding with reason. With what’s best for all of us.”
    “What’s best for you ! You want him to think well of you, that’s why you’re siding with him!”
    “Okay, I’m done arguing,” she says and walks away.
    Epap glares at her back. He’s still got anger to burn. “See what you’ve done?” he says to me. “You think you’re so smart, don’t you? You think you’re such a tough guy. Oh, look at me, I survived for years living in their midst . Oh, look at my swagger . You know, you’re just ridiculous to me.”
    Don’t be baited, walk away, I tell myself.
    “Did you want to be one of them?” Epap says in a low voice. “Were you ashamed of who you are?”
    I stop in my tracks.
    “Because I’ve seen the way you look at us. I’ve seen the smugness on your face,” he says, his lips twisting into a snarl. “You look down on us. It pains you to have to associate with us. Deep down, you look up to them, don’t you? Deep down, you probably want to be one of them.”
    “Epap, drop it,” Sissy says. She’s turned around again, watching us carefully.
    “You have no idea,” I say to Epap, my voice tight.
    “Come again?” he says, a silly grin on his face.
    “You have no idea what they are. If you did, you’d never have said something so stupid.”
    “I have no idea? Really? I mean, really? I have no idea?” He glares at me with naked derision. “You’re the one who has no idea. But then again, why would you? You’ve rubbed shoulders with them, been buddies with them all your