The next morning we shared the last of our tea with the family before splitting ways. They had no news from the North and weren’t heading there. Benedict had made it obvious that he didn’t enjoy our company, anyway.

I felt sad for the kid, but there was nothing more I could do for him. With luck and practice he’d survive. Maybe he’d be less of a dumbass than his dad.

Even before meeting Percy I never understood people who judged others’ sexuality. I mean, as long as you’re not hurting anyone, who gives a shit what kind of people you fuck? Just don’t be a dick. That applies to pretty much anyone, really.

But then there was that religion thing. Europa had said “God”. With a capital G so big you could hear it. Singular, too. I’m not a very religious girl, and I try to keep an open mind, but the mono people have always made me uncomfortable. So many of them use the excuse of their religion to be complete assholes, despite the love and care their faith is supposed to preach.

We didn’t talk much as we made our way through the trees. Slightly disgusted by the encounter, and my brain full of questions, I didn’t mind. Besides, there had been no breakfast. Only tea. And now we were out of that, too. I looked for animals to down, trusting Percy to gather the rest of our next meal. I spotted some berries and filled a T-shirt. At least we’d have some vitamins, and an infusion. Better than tasteless hot water, right? Yeah. Hell, I tell you.

“I’m pissed, Tam. Fucker thought himself better than us because we’re women. Makes me sick. Can’t believe we shared our last teabag with this asshole.”

I sighed. So we were going to talk about it after all. “Percy, you know full well it wasn’t just about being women. He’s a damned homophobe. Maybe a racist, too, considering how he never even looked at you. And yeah, it sucks balls. But love, the kid was half dead and the mom not that far either. You’d let them both starve for his sake?”

Shit, might have gone too far.

“Say what?” Yup. Too far.

“Wrong wording. You know what I mean.” The look she shot me stopped the next sentence before it could form.

“Tam. Sometime, you gotta learn when to shut the fuck up.”

She stormed ahead, and that was the end of talking for the day. We managed to get food along the way, not much but enough to go on. I was grateful for my long legs: Perceneige walked way faster than her size suggested. Especially when she was angry.

We skipped lunch again, eating straight from the bushes as we passed. Only one bladder stop. We didn’t bother exploring for a camping site. We probably should have, but night fell before either of us thought of it. We dropped in the first large enough space we found. We munched on whatever meat was left in silence. For the first time in three months, we each slept in our own blanket. The atmosphere was cold, and not just for lack of a campfire.