Chapter 441

The halls were mostly dark and quiet as we made our way to the bathing hall. It was still early. Mycah’s family walked with us and they were all questions this morning. We answered everything and encouraged them to look around.

“The camp is new to your family,” Evan told them. “You should pay attention to everything as we pass.”

That was all the permission Mycah and his brothers needed. They bounded down the hall and peered into the unlit fire pits. Nosy boys stuck their heads in different doorways to see what was in each room.

It was like watching five parts to a magnet. The boys would separate and see five different things. A moment later they would be back in a group talking rapidly about what they’d seen. In the blink of an eye, they’d be off exploring again. It was not behavior I’d seen on the monitors from the compound, but then the keepers had never encouraged curiosity.

“I am jealous,” Christof said watching them.

We were encouraging their inqui