Maya

Unlike yesterday, Richard is already waiting in the main living space for me at 5 a.m.Sharp.

“You’re late,” he grunts.

I groan. “By two minutes.”

“Here. Let’s go.” He slaps a Styrofoam coffee cup into my empty hand.

I blink at it. “Thank you?” I take a sip and sigh as the first dose of caffeine hits my throat.

He makes a noise with the back of his throat. “No need to thank me. Offering you caffeine is solely for my personal benefit. It tends to make you much more compliant.”

My jaw drops. “Excuse me?”

He doesn’t bother answering me as he exits the bungalow.

“Someone is mighty eager to get going today,” I call out to him after grabbing my backpack with all my supplies. The sun hasn’t risen yet, so I’m stuck sticking close by Richard’s side, using the lamps on the dirt path to guide…