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else.
    More than anything else? She shook her head impatiently. She didn’t want
him
more than anything else. She wanted what he offered—a way off this planet.
    Marlee stumbled on a rock. A shadow had fallen across the field, and for the first time, she looked up. The bright sun disappeared and a cold wind gusted across the field. Dark clouds rolled above her, and a bolt of lightning split the sky. Marlee held her breath, counting quietly. Even though she knew it was coming, the loud crack of thunder made her jump. Beren hefted his end of the stretcher, and without saying a word, everyone sped up.
    They were halfway across the field when Beren commented, “Here they come.”
    Marlee tore her eyes away from the pilot’s face for a few moments to take in the people running from the village to meet them. She smiled a little at Jaimma, running at the front of the group.
    A few minutes later the group arrived. Willing hands took each end of the stretcher, and Beren rubbed his arms in relief.
    About twenty people, mostly about Marlee’s age, crowded around, jostling each other in their excitement, all wanting a look at the mysterious stranger. Marlee clutched the side of the stretcher, determined not to be pushed away.
    “Was that really a spaceship?” Jaimma asked, her eyes wide.
    “Is it still in one piece?”
    “Did you see inside? Is it anysogen powered?”
    “Can it fly?”
    The questions came thick and fast, and Marlee could barely keep all her answers straight. “It didn’t look damaged, but there must be some reason it crashed. I don’t know if it’s anysogen powered or not.” She hadn’t even thought of that. Without light speed capability, rescue would be a long time coming.
    Jaimma squeezed in next to her and eyed the stranger, a speculative gleam in her eyes. “He’s cute, Mar.” Jaimma nudged her.
    “I hadn’t noticed,” she said stiffly.
    A few high pitched giggles erupted from the group. She sensed the excitement flowing through her friends.
    “Do you think this means we might get off this planet? Away from the anysogen?” Rejan was the first to say the words. Jenka held his hand tightly, the other resting protectively on her belly. Why were they so eager to leave? They were going to have a baby anyway.
    “I don’t know.” Marlee shook her head. She hardly dared hope. She glanced back at his face, so still and pale. Her stomach tightened. He had to wake up. He just had to.
    With fresh stretcher bearers, the remaining distance to the village disappeared, everyone spurred on by the crashes of thunder, growing closer and closer. The council elders greeted them on the outskirts, just as the first heavy drops of rain splattered on the ground.
    Yasmyn was the first to speak. Her yellow gold hair was pulled back in an untidy bun and her face was taut. “Marlee, what did you think you were doing, running off like that? You could have been hurt!” She enfolded her daughter in her arms for a brief moment before she spared the stranger so much as a glance.
    “Pity she wasn’t.” Marlee didn’t even have to look to recognise her half-brother’s voice.
    “Colby!” her mother reprimanded.
    Marlee ignored him. He’d always been jealous of any attention their mother paid to her.
    Those who had run across the field fell silent.
    Marlee disentangled herself from her mother’s arms, took a step back towards the stranger, and reached for his unresisting hand. “Some things are worth the risk,” she said, her chin up.
    Her mother stared at her for a moment, surprise written on her face.
    “Best get him inside before the downpour,” Kalim said, glancing at the clouds. “You’re lucky you made it back in time.”
    Marlee hurried to stay next to the stranger as he was taken into the hall. As the stretcher bearers settled the man on the floor inside, rain pelted down on the roof. Even though it was only midday, it was dark inside, and someone lit a lamp.
    Marlee looked around frantically. Where was