Mal dismissed us, and we went from tent to tent, rousing the sleepy boys, telling them to get ready for our big treasure hunt. The boys hadn’t been excited about the game until Mal told them that the prize would be their magic. That they’d get to use their magic again and board a pirate ship that would take them home to their mothers and fathers. It was like a light switch went off in their brains, and suddenly the camp had been a frenzy of excitement as the boys chattered about the game.
Once we’d gotten the boys up, dressed, and fed, we assembled our teams.
My six boys rounded up with me in the center. I crouched to the ground, and they sat around me. “You all are going to do great today,” I said. “You’ll have a leader with you.” I nodded to the older boy who stood next to me. “He’ll help your team in the treasure hunt. Your goal is to find all of your shadows, then sew them to your shoe.”
One of the little boys held up his foot. “Do I have to wear this?” He wrinkled his nose, and I smiled.
“Yes. It’s the only way to win the treasure hunt.” My palms grew clammy the closer we got to leaving this place. “Now remember, once you get your shadows, then your team leader will bring you to the marsh. Don’t forget to carry your torches. Each group will have two to ward off the other shadows.”
“The wispies,” another young boy said.
I bopped him on the nose. “Exactly.”
One boy with blond hair and wide green eyes said, “When I get my magic back, can I make a big wave?”
I gave him my most confident smile. “Absolutely.”
He squealed and clapped his hands together.
I blew out a shaky breath and stood. “Now remember, other wispies might try to stop you, to keep you from reaching the marsh, but part of the game is evading them with your light. Okay?”
The boys nodded, all of them with solemn looks on their faces. I fished out my roll of thread and began breaking off pieces, giving one to each boy. I gave a needle to the team leader.
Around me, Lochlan, Mal, Bastian, and his crew were all having similar conversations with their teams of boys. Soon, everyone finished, and the boys rose to their feet.
“Here’s extra thread.” I gave the leftover pieces to the team leaders. “In case you need it.”
“Thank you,” one of them said.
I grabbed his arm. “I don’t even know your name, butthank you. From the bottom of my heart. You’re saving these boys’ lives.”
He swallowed and nodded, and I let him go as he led his team out from the clearing and into the jungle. All the boys filtered out until the adults were the only ones left.
Bastian stepped forward. “Now we need to find our shadows. Break up, go out in small teams, and work together. It should feel like a rope is attached to you. Once you get that feeling, it means your shadow is near. You don’t bloody leave this island without it. Once we get to the marsh, make sure your boys are there with their shadows. Understood?”
Everyone nodded.
I turned to Mal and Lochlan. “Do you both remember where you felt that pull? What part of the island?”
Lochlan tipped his head. “Near the castle.”
“Same for me,” Mal said.
A chill skittered down my spine. “Be careful.” I threw myself at them and they both wrapped their arms around me.
Lochlan let go of me and clapped his hand on my shoulder. “Go get your pirate’s shadow, and let’s get the bloody waters out of this place.”
With that, my brothers disappeared through the vines, Bastian’s crew slowly filing out behind them. Mia and Kara hugged Bastian tight.
“You find your shadows,” he said. “Do you hear me? Do not worry about me or anyone else. Get your shadows and get to the marsh.”
Mia’s eyes filled with tears while Kara cracked her neck. “Understood,” she said.
She and Mia walked off together.
I turned to face Bastian. “Do you have any idea where your shadow might be?”
“I wish I could tell you yes, but I have no idea, love.”
