"Not yet." Annani gestured for Wonder to follow her as she walked behind the structure to where the vending machines stood under the shade of trees. "I have other news."
"What news?"
Annani held out her phone, the image of Tula's figurine filling the screen. She watched as Wonder took it with steady hands.
For a long moment, Wonder said nothing, her eyes tracing every detail of her sister's carved features. "She looks exactly as I remember her. Every detail... her hair, the way she held her head, that little smile she'd get when she was thinking of mischief." A tear slipped down Wonder's cheek. "He captured her so perfectly."
"It had to be Esag," Annani said.
"He's honoring us," Wonder said, still staring at the image. "He thinks we are dead and he's trying to make sure we're not forgotten."
"But we are not dead," Annani said. "We are here, and Tula is with Areana."
"Trapped on that island with no hope of escape," Wonder said bitterly. "With no chance at a real life."
Annani touched her friend's arm. "She could have escaped when we saved Carol. She chose to stay with Areana. Tula is no longer the young girl you remember, and she makes her own decisions."
Wonder nodded. "Maybe that's what irks me the most. She chose Areana over me."
