Shadows of Sherwood by Kekla Magoon Page B

off, at least,” Laurel said, placing the slick bar of soap in Robyn’s hand. “We’ll get you a toothbrush later. And floss.” She frowned. “I’m completely out of floss.” She said this like it was her biggest problem.
    Laurel held up the hose and Robyn stepped behind the bush. She took off her clothes and piled them beside her. The gloves, she left on. Dad had said wear them
always
. The fabric was so thin, it would wash and dry quickly. They would protect her, he had said. The spidering threads that felt like metal inside—maybe there was something about them that made her chip unreadable. That would explain what had happened with the warden’s wand.
    The water was cold, but it felt good to scrub away the dirt. If she could scrub away the whole past day, she would.
    Her heart was heavy with the knowledge that Laurel had toiletries ready and waiting to shower in someone’s backyard. This day was a crisis for Robyn—a temporary one, shewas sure—but for Laurel, apparently this was everyday life. She fought down the choking feeling that came, knowing that.
There are people who struggle
, her father had told her.
There are many who are forced to live without.
Robyn had never before understood what that really meant.
    As she shivered under the garden hose, her heart cried out for Mom and Dad. For Mom to swoop in with a warm, plush towel and hug her dry. For Dad, to talk to him about what was happening. He would have answers, she was certain. She begged the sky,
Let me find them. Let me see them just one more time.

    â€œIt’s market day,” Laurel said. “The market is the best place to shop. And there’s always a good crowd around closing time, when the best sales go on.”
    â€œWe don’t have any money,” Robyn reminded her.
    Laurel sighed. “I know. ‘Shop’ just sounds nicer,” she admitted. “We need to grab some new clothes. If we don’t look different in a hurry, they’re going to catch us.”
    â€œYou mean . . . steal?”
    â€œI don’t like that word,” Laurel said.
    â€œBut that’s what you mean? You’re just going to steal new clothes and some shoes—”
    â€œI don’t need shoes,” Laurel said, indignant. “I only take things I really need.”
    â€œAnd that makes it okay?” Robyn asked, meanwhile thinking,
Who doesn’t need shoes?
    â€œYou don’t have to come,” Laurel snapped. “You can take your fancy Tag and go to the stores. I bet they have nice stores where you come from.”
    They do
, Robyn thought. But using her Tag was still too dangerous.
    â€œAll right,” Robyn said. “You’ll have to show me how.”

    It was surprisingly easy. They found a row of clothing stalls and made their way down the line, picking up items they needed. When the vendors looked the other way, the girls blended into the crowd. Robyn ended up with a black T-shirt and a pair of gray stretchy exercise pants with a green elastic waistband. They even had one small pocket at the hip for her map. Laurel opted for calf-length jeans and a blue tank top.
    They changed in the bathroom at the public library. Laurel explained that it was one of the best places to use because it was normal for kids to be in there alone, so no one bothered you, and you didn’t have to buy anything.
    Robyn felt bad about the thefts. It was just a few small items, and she really needed them, but Robyn knew it wasn’t right. She vowed that when she and her parents were reunited, and she could use her Tag again, she’d come back and pay the vendors double for what she had taken.
What if her parents were gone forever?
whispered the nagging voice in her mind. But Robyn wouldn’t allow herself to answer.
    Â 
    CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    WANTED!
    Robyn emerged from the bathroom stall to find Laurel bent over a sink, flossing her teeth. Laurel must have read the