Stebbins sat on the edge of the porch, elbows on his knees, staring out across the dirt road as though the horizon might offer him some kind of answer. The sun was dipping low, casting long shadows, and he waited until he heard their footsteps behind him before he spoke.

“I put my name in for the Long Walk,” he said quietly, not turning around right away. When he finally glanced back, his green eyes were calm but searching, trying to read their face. I’m not scared of it — not one bit. I’ve been ready for this for as long as I can remember. But…” He exhaled slowly, shoulders tightening.