Free Book Three of the Travelers by D.J. MacHale

this: Was Kemo lying? Or did he just not know better?
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    Later that evening, after they’d eaten supper together, he said to his father, “Where do Flighters come from?”
    Jen Remudi broke his gaze from his son’s. “The other end of the island,” he said, staring down at the table.
    The explanation didn’t sit right with Siry. Somehow it seemed that these people were from somewhere farther, somewhere that would explain why they had become so different. “But—they look exactly like us. A little dirtier, but otherwise—”
    â€œAppearances can be deceiving. They’re not like us.”
    â€œBut how would we know? We never talk to them. We never see them. All we do is fight them.”
    Siry’s father looked back up at him, folding his hands together. “Look, Son, Kemo told me that you were talking to the girl we captured.” He paused. “I know if you cleaned her up, she looks like she’d be pretty and sweet. But—”
    â€œWhat are you talking about, Dad?” Siry said angrily.
    â€œThey don’t feel things like we do.”
    â€œFeeling? Who’s talking about feeling?” Siry said. “Every day I see stuff around here that doesn’t seem to add up. Sea trash. What is it? Those bottle-shaped things with writing on them? Those pieces of flexible material that you can see through?”
    â€œDon’t fall in love with a Flighter. Okay?”
    Siry stared at his dad. “I’m talking about trying to understand the world. And you’re—I don’t even know what you’re talking about!”
    There was a long silence. Finally his father said, “Son, she’s going on trial the day after tomorrow. If the tribunal finds that she’s broken our laws, she’ll be…” He sighed. “She’ll be put to death.”
    â€œPut to death!” Siry felt a strange lump in his stomach.
    â€œIt sounds cruel, I know. But you don’t remember what it was like.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve alwaystold you that your mother died of a disease. But it’s not so. Those things, those Flighters, they raided Rayne for food one time. There must have been close to a hundred of them. Breaking in to houses. Smashing things. Dragging children into the jungle. Your mother tried to stop them from taking you. They—”
    Jen Remudi’s eyes teared up.
    Siry blinked. He felt horrible. But at the same time, he couldn’t help thinking, Another story that turns out not to be true!
    â€œShe saved your life. But she gave up hers in the process.” Jen Remudi put his face in his hands. Tears started running out through his fingers. “I couldn’t save her. I should have been at the house. But I was with the guards, trying to protect—” He looked up, his eyes rimmed with red. “I love you so much, Son. But I just wish you had known her. I feel like I could have done so much better if—”
    Jen stopped and stared out the window. “Anyway. The trial’s in two days.”
    They sat in silence for a long time. Finally Siry stood up and said, “If they’re animals, how come you give them a trial?”
    Siry waited for his father to answer. But his father said nothing.
    T HREE
    T he next morning Siry brought three boiled eggs and some fruit to the Flighter girl.
    Kemo was standing at his usual post. “Hey, Siry!” Kemo said. “I can’t believe it.”
    â€œYou can’t believe what?”
    â€œThat animal. She actually used the soap you brought her. Put on those clothes, too. Amazing. You’d almost think she was human.”
    â€œMaybe she is,” Siry said.
    He went inside and pushed the food through the bars. Then he looked up. His eyes widened. The girl was wearing the clothes. And now that she was cleaned up? She was actually really pretty!
    The girl ignored him. She just picked up the food and shoveled it