Chapter 20-P1

Aiden's knee was bouncing at breakfast the next morning. Marley watched him eat beside her calmly, stoically, but it was apparent to her that something was gnawing at him. She knew Aiden well enough now to be able to tell when something is wrong with him. He was always chatty, giving her attention and teasing her, but now he was distracted and distant. Marley felt like she'd spent days under the sun only to be deprived of it cold turkey. "I still taste that mud in my mouth." Kelly licked her lips multiple times with a sour expression on her face. She was referring to their lab in the marshes yesterday. Even though wading through provided them with solace from the heat, the smell was somewhat unpleasant and the view of the algae and murky water quite unappetizing. The bad news is that most of her peers could still feel, smell, and even taste the marsh despite hot showers and a full night of sleep. It would haunt everyone for a while.