And All the Stars

Madeleine skimmed the rest of the article, then played thevideo and listened to the woman answering questions, and insisting that it wasearly days for absolutes, and that this was by no means a cure, only atreatment method.

She'd felt Fisher shift while she was watching, and when sheremoved the headphones he said: "This will provide a counter-motive for thoseso eager to hand over Blues."

"Perhaps," Nash said. "But only so far as keeping one or twoon hand. I still would not risk puttingourselves in another's power."

Madeleine closed the browser window, and found a second openpage, headed: Leech Blues: InevitableMurderers? Her eyes met Fisher's,and he reached unhurriedly to brush the trackpad,closing the window.

"How is your back?"

"Sore," Madeleine admitted. "I couldn't tell if it was bruised ornot. Peering over my shoulder at themirror isn't effective when everything is blue." She suddenly remembered him circling hertaking pictures and had to look away. "I'll get Noi to check later," she added hurriedly, and sawthat Noi was awake, watching with unabashed interest. "Or maybe now. It's nearly time for the challenge."

"And past time for midnight snacks," Noi said,stretching. "Even normal practicesessions make it hard to get through the night without getting up to eat, letalone yesterday's extravaganza."

She poked the pile of boy next to her while Madeleine wokeEmily, and then they opened the door to let in a wash of chilly air. Nash offered to cook something, and Noi tookMadeleine into the master bedroom en suite to examine her back.

"I should have suggested doing this tomorrow,"Madeleine said, shirtless and shivering. "It's definitely getting to the end of Autumn."

"Yeah, pity we can't risk turning on the heating in thisplace. As it is I've been wondering ifwe'll end up having the power cut off by some automated you-haven't-paid-your-billsystem." She poked Madeleine'sshoulder blade gently. "Hurts here,right?"

"Yes. You can seebruises then?"

"I can see where the stars aren't. The only thing I know to do for bruises isput ice on them."

Madeleine shuddered at the idea. "Definitely not bad enough forthat."

"Okay then. Lookat me for a moment." Noi wasstanding, arms folded, eyebrows raised, lips lightly curved. "See me here, visibly restrainingmyself."

"Is that what you call that?"

"Did I mention I took photos? Didn't even wait till he wasasleep." Noi paused to fullyappreciate Madeleine's reaction. "He laughed. That makes hima keeper in my book."

"Noi..."

"I was going to point out that we could have diedyesterday afternoon, that we could die today, or tomorrow. After all, we're not talking wear cleanunderwear because you might get hit by a bus – we're talking glowing flyingbuses hunting us down and trying to hump our legs. But, seriously, it's way too much funwatching you two dancing around each other with no idea what to do next. It surprises me, since Fisher's really veryconfident and assured for a Science Boy. I'm having to revise my stereotypes."

"We only met eleven...twelve days ago," Madeleineprotested, pulling on her Singlet and tracksuit jacket.

"I guess so. Seems like much longer. Seemslike centuries."

All the liveliness drained from Noi'sface, and this time Madeleine didn't hesitate, but turned and wrapped her armsaround the shorter girl. Noi started topull away, but then leaned into Madeleine's hold, breath turning to gulps.

"We were so close to being lost, Maddie. All of us, any of us. There's no way we can make it through twoyears of this, and I'm just so – everyone's gone, Maddie. I can't stand it. They're all gone."

Madeleine wondered if the reason Noi had stopped pursuing Panhad less to do with his age than it did Noi's fearand grief. There was still nothing shecould say which would make Noi's loss easier, thoughshe told her she was sorry, and stroked her back as she struggled with hertears. After yesterday's fight, itwasn't surprising that Noi's control had frayed:Madeleine was only surprised that the lot of them hadn't kicked each otherawake having nightmares.

"You don't have to be the strong one all the time, youknow," she said, when the storm had begun to pass.

"Don't I?" Noi took a deep breath and straightened. "How will Millie cope if I'm having dramas all over the place? She's just a baby. How will it help anyone if I sit in a cornerrocking back and forth?" Turningaway, she dashed water into her face, firming her mouth.

"Does it have to be one extreme or another?" Madeleine paused, then added: "We made agood team yesterday. I don't know ifit's enough to get us through this, and I don't like to think about how I nowhave a bunch of people that matter. Iknow I rely on you a bit much – I don't think ahead in the same way – but youdon't need to..." Madeleinestopped. Who was she to dictate how Noicoped? "Anyway, I'm here if youneed anything. And you can email methose photos."

That brought back Noi's smile, andthen the scent of cooking drew them downstairs. Madeleine let herself be the entertainment by sitting next to Fisher soshe could peek at what he was typing. Surviving the next two years wasn't just a matter of successfullyhiding: it was being brave without losing your head, and squabbling a bit butnot too much, and having two people around not managing to hide that they likedeach other, because watching that was a happy thing.

"Do you think they're being deliberately dickish?" Panwas eyeing the television, which had switched from thousands of people gatheredin a candlelight prayer vigil to a su

"Is that some kind of trick question?" Min asked,derisive. "What is not dickishabout invading someone's planet so you can play games?"

"Yeah, yeah." Pan threw a mock-punch. "Ijust mean picking a religious icon for this challenge. Are they going to go for the Spring TempleBuddha next, or play chasies in a mosque?"

"Given they started with a golf course..." Minsaid.

"That was the Manila Moths," Pan said. "These are the Rio Moths. We know not all Moths act the same because ofthe way some go out of their way to destroy any webcams in their areas, while othersdon't care. The London ones wave whenthey pass. Maybe the Rio ones are tryingto make a point today, rubbing our faces in how we just have to sit here andwatch."