While Jenny ate, Alexander returned and tossed a thick roll of bright Mexican pesos onto the table. Kisa's eyes bulged at the spool of money.
“I have to run out for work,” Alexander told Jenny. “Kisa and one of her brothers will take you into the city.”
“Why?” Jenny asked. She never liked the idea of going into cities. Too many crowds, too many people to avoid touching.
“Shopping, so you can get clothes that fit,” Alexander said. “I don't mind watching Kisa's jeans sliding off you, but you might have a different opinion.” He sat across from her and dropped a pouch made of bright woven fibers onto the table between them. Jenny frowned at him.
“I don't want to go into any city,” Jenny said. “I hate shopping. I can just wear what I have.”
“But you'll want something for the party tonight,” Alexander said.
“What?”
“That's why Iztali and Yochi are getting the grill ready.” Alexander gestured to where the two short, muscular brothers were preparing the large brick-lined pit. “We're having a party to welcome you here.”
“You don't have to,” Jenny said. “I don't like parties.”
“What's not to like? Musicians, wine, pig roast—you can meet some of my friends—”
“I really don't want to,” Jenny said. “I'm serious. I can't be around people.”
“Why not?” Alexander asked.
She scowled at him. “You know why. Nobody can touch me.”
“No touch!” Kisa said, shaking her finger.
“What she said,” Jenny said.
“So you throw on a pair of gloves and something with sleeves,” Alexander said. “Don't get drunk and try to make out with anybody, and you'll be fine.”
“But I have to be so careful with a crowd like that,” Jenny said. “It's really hard to avoid contact, you know? It's the most stressful thing in the world. Can't we just keep things quiet?”
“Wow,” Alexander said. “No cities. No shopping. No parties. Who are you?”
“I'm just me,” Jenny said.
“But you're not.” He studied her eyes. “You're still asleep in there.”
“I'll have more coffee, then.” Jenny held her empty coffee mug toward Alexander. Kisa immediately lifted it from her fingers, and Jenny hurried to pull her arm back to avoid any contact with the girl.
“No touch, no touch,” Kisa repeated, rolling her eyes just a little. She carried the coffee mug inside for a refill.
“She doesn't have to do every little thing for me,” Jenny said. “It's kind of weird.”
“I hoped she would make things easy for you. And you do need clothes. You'll be staying here a while.”
“Unless I change my mind,” Jenny said.
“Well, obviously,” Alexander said. “But the feds are searching for you. They know you killed hundreds of people—”
“Ugh.” Jenny buried her face in her hands. The reminder of her own evil nature was like a punch to the gut.
“—and they want to know how,” he continued. “They'll probably be watching your father. How much does he know?”
“Basically everything,” Jenny said. “He knows what I did. He kind of hates me now, I think.”
“How could anyone hate you?” Alexander said.
“Maybe if I killed your wife and a bunch of people you'd known your whole life, you'd hate me, too,” Jenny said. “I deserve it. He was always too nice to me.”
“Are you feeling any pain?” Alexander asked. “From your injuries?”
“It'll be okay,” Jenny said. “I heal fast.”
“I know you do.”
Kisa placed Jenny's coffee in front of her, and Jenny smiled and thanked her. Alexander opened the woven pouch and took out a few oval-shaped, yellow-green leaves.
“Chew some of these.” He put the leaves in his mouth and smiled as he crunched into them. “Spit them out when you're done. They'll help with the pain.”
“Yeah?” Jenny placed a few of the leaves in her mouth. Her tongue began to turn numb.
“Chew it,” he said.
Jenny chewed, and a pleasant numbness filled her mouth. She felt it spreading slowly through her head.
“What is it?” she asked.
“A little local coca leaf,” Alexander told her, putting another in his mouth.
“You mean chocolate?”
“Nope,” Alexander said. “Kills pain, clears the head, gets you moving. Just the thing for running through mountains. Coca.”
Jenny stopped chewing. “Coca, like cocaine?”
“Don't worry, it's totally organic,” Alexander said.
“Isn't it addictive?”