Chapter 13 Page
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TELL ME YOU HAVE money without saying a single word.
Pay for yourself—and your friends—to keep the tents, the Airstreams, wherever each person is staying, for two nights in the middle of your stay because it’s convenient, even when you’ve gone off to camp in the Underground and aren’t at the resort.
I walk almost silently along the path to where she’s staying. The smell of sage is strong and clean. My old running shoes are so worn-in that I can feel the stones underneath my feet.
I’m not going to go full Goldilocks and sleep in anyone’s bed, but there are things you can do and things you can learn while the guests are away. If you’re careful.
I’m very careful.
I glance over my shoulder but there’s no one about. Not a soul stirring.
I take a deep breath and lift my hand to the door. I don’t love doing this, but I don’t hate it either. It is what it is. When you grow up without having any money or power, you take it where you can.
And early morning, right now, is the best time for sneaking in.
I’m not talking when the light is up. I’m talking before that. The time when most of the world thinks it’s still the end of the last day, but the animals and I know—it’s not anymore.
It’s the beginning of a new one.