***
Halfway through the day, the sky is so close to the earth it threatens to smother us. Dark and roiling, the clouds press coldness onto the already-frozen world. Most of us retreat homeward and close ourselves inside. Chill air seeps through all the cracks in our little shack. I never realized how perforated it was, until the real cold came.
Miranda and Jonas are discussing pointlessly how we're going to get through the coming winter. I have the feeling that he's humoring her, making her feel better by participating in what can only be a futile act. I can't decide whether he's being kind or deceitful. I ponder where the difference may be while wondering how I'm going to get him away from her so I can beat the truth out of him. My jaw is working. Neveah, sitting next to me on the couch, gives me a sympathetic look. Sometimes, I wonder what's going on in her head. I wish she would tell me. I offer back a small combination smile-frown. She makes a noise like a laugh— soft, barely there. We turn our gazes quietly back toward the other two.
There's a noise outside, and the door is thrown open. Oscar, bundled in coat, hat, gloves, and even snow boots, stumbles inside, brushing white from himself after he closes the door. He peels off the coat and hat, then launches himself toward us, landing in a tumble across our laps. Neveah squeezes him close, pressing her cheek against his. I've got his legs and feet, so I just wait until he straightens himself and wiggles into the spot between us. He leans over against me, and now I get to press my face against his. His cheek is cold against mine. I close my eyes, feeling my smile move all the way through me.
Miranda and Jonas greet him with smiles, too. Miranda pours some hot water for him to drink.
"I wanted to see you before the big snow comes," Oscar says, glancing at me.
"Ah," I say. "I think you're a little late." I look meaningfully at the door.
He just laughs. "It'll be a while before it's too much to be out in. And I thought you'd want to know what happened last night."
"Last night?" Jonas says.
"When Matt got home," Oscar says. "After—"
"After I saw you guys at the market?" I jump in.
Oscar just looks at me and smiles. "Yeah," he says. "After that."
"What happened?" Jonas asks. He leans in as he listens.
"Well, it was pretty late," Oscar says, "and Jacob and Taylor came to the door. I was supposed to be upstairs sleeping, but I heard the knock, so I snuck out to see what was going on and listened in."
I'm about to reprimand him, but Jonas says, "And?"
"Someone put a bomb or something in Matt's car. You know the solar one I hit with my slingshot?" He looks at me.
I nod. Jonas is looking at him, leaning forward.
"Killed Colton, and a couple other of Matt's guys. I didn't know them." He shrugs, like he's not sure about what he's telling us. "Didn't like Colton much. But... wow... I mean, they killed him."
I put my arm around his shoulders and pull him close.
"What did Matt do?" Jonas asks.
Oscar makes a noise, his eyes going wide. "He was pissed."
Neveah and I exchange a look over Oscar's head.
"He kinda went off on one. Grabbed his coat and left. So I don't know. I don't know what happened after that."
"Matt didn't say what he was going to do?" Jonas asks calmly.
Oscar shakes his head. "Nah."
"What about when he got back? Did he say anything then?"
I frown at Jonas. This is beginning to feel like an interrogation.
"I was asleep," Oscar answers.
Jonas just nods slowly, looking down.
Miranda, cautiously forming the words, speaks for the first time since the conversation started. "Who do you think would do that?"
Jonas, still looking down, is shaking his head. Oscar stares at her. Neveah sits very still. Since none of them are answering, I venture my own guess. "Some of Grey's men, maybe?"
Jonas glances up and meets my eyes, failing to completely hide the alarm in his own.