We’d won, I thought. We’d actually won! A small victory, but a victory all the same. I couldn’t help myself; I whooped and hugged her. She didn’t hug me back, but she did pat me on the shoulder. Her hair was as soft as my mother’s, just as dark, and brushed my cheek.
“Onadyn won’t be legalized anytime soon,” she told me, “but you’ve brought it and the need for its correct distribution to our attention.”
I couldn’t stop grinning as she led me down a long, winding hall and into the A.I.R. lobby. My parents were seated on a couch and stood when they saw me. I rushed to my mom and she hugged me tightly, crying, “I’m so proud of you.”
I pulled back and looked up at my dad. His features were stern. “I’m proud of you, too,” he admitted. “What you did, well, you were right. I spoke out of worry for you before. Just don’t ever scare me like that again, sweetheart. I love you too much to lose you.”
He jerked me into his arms. I hugged him back with all my strength and didn’t pull back until my injured arm screamed in protest.
“Camille?”
I heard Erik’s voice and turned, gasping in delight when I saw him. He was cut up and bruised, more so than before, and dressed in a plain white prison uniform. His arm was in a sling, but he was alive. Joy washed through me, more joy than I’d ever known. I raced to him and threw myself into his arms.
He caught me and spun me around, one arm holding me up, kissing me deeply. “Are you okay?” he demanded a little while later, setting me down and cupping my jaw.
My dad cleared his throat. Erik and I separated reluctantly. I made the introductions.
“Just a minute more, Daddy,” I said, not waiting for his reply as I pulled Erik into a shadowed corner.
“Are you okay?” Erik repeated when we were alone.
“I’m fine,” I said. “What about you?” My gaze roved over his face, taking in every detail. “How are you? How do you feel?”
“Good, now that you’re here. God, I missed you.” He kissed me again, a quick meshing of lips that warmed me up.
When we pulled back, we stared at each other, grinning. “We did it,” I told him. “Those families will be taken care of now.”
“You did it,” he said and kissed me again. “You, the bravest, sweetest girl I’ve ever met.”
“No. You bargained for me. I can’t believe you did that.”
“I told you. When it came to you or the Outers, I would pick you every time. The good news is that they’ll get special consideration now.”
I kissed him again, just because he was so sweet. “Guess what I’ve decided? I’m going to college and becoming an alien rights advocate. I’m going to change the laws, once and for all.”
His grin widened. “If anyone can do it, it’s you.”
At that moment I felt capable of anything. The future was bright with promise, and I planned to live it to the fullest, doing what I could to help those in need. I’d gone from coward to fighter.
“Maybe I’ll finally go to college, as well,” he said. “Maybe we’ll work as a team, fighting for Outers.”
“Look out, world,” I muttered, and he laughed. Yes, look out, world. I’d finally come into my own and there was no stopping me now.