Chapter 32

Maybe there was nothing to be said.

“You have blue eyes,” Dubois said, sniffling. “I thought they were gray. But they’re quite blue.” He moved away and slumped down on his cot.

Electrified, confused, yet strangely calm, Joe sat on his bunk. He had the day to rest and he needed it. “No kitchen today?” he asked, not knowing where to go from here.

Dubois slowly shook his head. “No…no more kitchen work for me. Tomorrow, I go out into the woods with you.”

Joe should have been worried, but instead, the news thrilled him.

Yes, to be out there with Dubois, in the wide open, under that dark blue sky. The thought of it gave him new strength.

“I want you to know something,” Dubois said.

“What is it?”

“Until I leave here, Joseph Vega, I will be your shadow. Everywhere you look, I’ll be there.”

“All right,’’ Joe said, looking down at his hands.

Dubois confused him. Astounded him. Captivated him.