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convince him to let her out of this room. “You’re taking me to my death. Don’t you think I want to feel the sun on my face and smell the ocean air before I die?”
    “ What difference does it make? You’re going to die, regardless of being stuck in here or not. Wouldn’t it be easier to not experience those things?”
    The room turned dark as night descended. Rema could only see an outline of Nathenek’s body.
    “ All my life I’ve been sheltered, people claiming it was for my own good. In some sick twist of fate, it seems I’m destined to go to my death that way.” Rema lay down on the hard floor. “Can I at least have a blanket? Or would it be better for me to be miserable and cold, since I’m going to die anyway?”
    “ Has anyone ever told you how infuriating you are?” Nathenek snatched his top blanket, throwing it at her.
    Rema gra bbed it, wrapping the blanket around her body and shoving part of it under her head as a pillow. “Thank you.”
    “ I didn’t do it to be nice. I just want you to shut up and go to sleep.” Nathenek rolled over, facing the wall again.
    Rem a smiled.
    ****
    When she woke the next morning, Nathenek was gone. She folded the blanket, placing it on his bed. Rema stretched her arms and legs, preparing to exercise.
    The door slammed shut , causing Rema to jump at the sound. She spun around and came face to face with Nathenek.
    “ What are you doing?” he demanded, his voice barely above a whisper.
    “ Does it matter?”
    Nathenek s at on the edge of the bed. He pulled out a loaf of bread from the pocket in his tunic, handing it to Rema. “I suppose it doesn’t,” he finally answered.
    She tore into the bread, devouring it all.
    “ Do you plan to exercise during our entire journey?” He folded his hands on his lap.
    “ As opposed to sitting here, crying?” she asked around a mouthful of bread.
    “ Yes, actually.”
    “ I’m sorry to disappoint you,” Rema said, swallowing her food. “I have no intention of sitting here, wasting away. It’s not in my nature.”
    Nathenek glanced up the ceiling, appearing lost in thought.
    “ Let me ask you a question,” Rema said. “Would you sit here all day if you were in my position?”
    “ I suppose not.” He stood and went to the window, gazing outside while she finished eating her food.
    “ Fine,” Nathenek said after several minutes. “I’ll take you to the top deck.”
    Rema ’s eyes widened in shock. Was he serious? Or simply playing with her?
    “ There is one condition, though.” He faced Rema, waiting for her response.
    “ What is it?” she asked, dread replacing the excitement she felt a moment before.
    “ You have to dress like a boy.”
    She jumped to her feet. “That’s it?” He nodded. “Deal.”
    Nathenek went over to the footlocker and opened it up. He handed her a cap. “Pull your hair up, so no one sees it.”
    Rema did as he asked, shoving her hair under the hat. He also gave her a belt, which she used to cinch her pants up higher, so she wasn’t tripping on the material. “What about shoes?”
    “ I have an extra pair of boots.”
    They were huge on her , but after being barefoot for so long, it felt like a soft blanket surrounded her feet.
    “ How do I look?”
    Nathenek stood before her. “Good.” He adjusted the cap lower on Rema’s forehead. “You remind me of my sister. She’s stubborn like you.” He patted the top of her head. “Let’s go.”
    Nathenek led her through the dark, dank hallway to a ladder bathed in sunlight. “Stay by my side,” he ordered as he ascended. Rema climbed right on his heels, eager to see the ocean again.
    Nathenek stood on the deck and turned around, reaching down to help Rema up. He led her to the side of the ship, near the railing. She couldn’t get over the sight of the ocean and just how much water there was in every direction. The sails billowed against the wind. One man hung on the tall center mast, while several others on the deck