19
The camp was swarming with people, more than I'd even expected. Good. This was just what her father wanted. Lucia leading people.
"Apples," I called out in my croaky old woman's voice. "Free apples."
People swarmed me, and I handed each of them one of the apples from Riki's bags. I hoped that they were the real deal and not something that would harm anyone. My pocket was heavy with the apple I intended for Lucia. I knew she couldn't resist them.
"Who are you?"
My eyes widened at the sound of my best friend's voice. I looked up and saw Lucia standing in front of me with a look on her face that I'd never seen before. She'd been hardened into the woman she needed to be, that was for sure.
This might just be enough to push her over the edge.
"Just an old woman who heard about the goo
