CHAPTER 7

Simon, River, Jayne, Kaylee, and Book all froze, startled at the girl’s demand. She stood her ground confidently, as if she weren’t even naked. One hand she held low, palm facing back, indicating to the boy that he should stay down. Simon was surprised at how young the boy was—he couldn’t have been more than ten or eleven. The girl, for her part seemed far more lucid than Simon would have expected for someone coming out of hibernation. She jealously guarded the third box, looking ready to spring anyone who came near. Still, the fact that no one had emerged from the third box worried Simon greatly. Coming out of hibernation could be very dangerous and he needed to help the occupant.

“Stay back!” the girl warned.

“It’s okay! I’m a doctor,” Simon said, ignoring her warning and approaching with both hands raised to show he meant no harm.

“Jian ta de gui,” the girl muttered, grabbing Simon’s arm, whipping him about, and tossing him flat on his back.

“Simon!” Kaylee yelled, dropping the clothing she was carrying and sliding to her knees behind him. Simon was too stunned to move, but accepted Kaylee’s help in trying to sit. The little boy reached for the clothing that Kaylee had dropped, but the girl grabbed his arm and held him back.

“Toss those over here,” she commanded Book.

Book crossed the room slowly, keeping his distance. A handful of worn sweaters, light trousers, dresses from the donations pile, Simon didn’t think it could be tossed. But Book folded the bundle carefully and the little boy caught it with ease. Quickly, the two children dressed, the girl pulling on some light brown trousers and a blue top. The boy was swimming in a green sweater so large he hardly needed pants. The girl helped him find a viable pair of trousers and she cinched it around his waist with a head scarf.

“They gave us clothes,” the little boy whispered to her.

The girl shook her head. “That doesn’t mean much.”

“What the hell is going on in here?” Mal yelled, storming into the room. He stopped short when