The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands

by Sarah Brooks

The girl regards her, unblinking, and Weiwei has to admit to being a little impressed—she has never been out-stared before. Finally, she takes the bread out and the girl snatches it from her hand then scrambles further back into the roof space. When Weiwei raises the lantern she sees a kind of nest. “Are you alone?” It is the first thing she can think of to ask. All the other questions will not put themselves into words in her head. The stowaway nods, the expression on her face unreadable. “Are you—” She stops. It is all too far removed from her expectations to make sense. A man with a knife and threats on his tongue can be understood. Danger that comes dressed in a blade and a snarl can be faced and fought. But this—a girl, alone, this is a different kind of danger. There is a line here that she must not cross.