I half expected Anna to put guards
on us, but when we ventured out of our room to look for something to eat, there
was no one obviously waiting outside our doors and everyone in the hall
appeared to be on their way to or from somewhere, not lingering suspiciously.
“Well that makes things easier,” I muttered.
“What?” Teddy asked. “Turn right
here.”
“Oh, just that you remember where
the kitchens are. I want to stop by wherever their medical staff hides out. You
need a new sling, and I want someone to check out those scrapes on your neck.”
Ethan, a medic who lived with Anna
as part of her household, checked Teddy’s shoulder, moving it until he winced. “You
should definitely have this braced. You could’ve done more damage to the joint.”
“Other things were more important,”
Teddy said dryly.
When Ethan looked away, opening up
a cabinet to avoid our flat stares, I took a quick moment to pilfer several
medicine packets as well as a roll of bandages. Teddy’s new sling made a great
place to hide some bread and hard cheese. We’d have to make do with the small
flagon of ale they gave us for lunch to hold water, but at least we had some
supplies.
It was odd, how little attention everyone
was paying to us. I said as much to Teddy over lunch, but he shrugged. “They
have Varket to keep them occupied.”
“True. Probably won’t last too
long.” Good thing Wildman planned to come soon. We managed to filch more food
over lunch and dinner. A pillowcase would have to do for a pack, since ours had
been left behind with Varket captured us. I used a curtain tie to keep it shut
and form a loop to fit over my arm.
Teddy was sitting in the window
sill. The ancient city spread out, dotted here and there with lanterns. People had
been moving about, but as darkness fell, they all disappeared indoors. All the
better to disappear once Wildman showed up.
I sank down behind Teddy. He
leaned against me. “Are we ready for this?” I asked.
“Maybe. At least we’re together. I’d
give up chocolate for that.”
I smiled. “Now I really know you
love me.”
“Where is he?” Teddy whispered.
“He’ll be here.” I was sure of
that. “We didn’t set a time.”
Teddy yawned, leaning against the
open window. “Probably should have.”
“There was an attack in progress,
and I got the idea that Wildman was trying to get away before Anna could order
her men to nab him.” I rubbed his shoulders. “Rest. I’ll wake you up when he
gets here.”
I was too keyed up to sleep. I
scanned what I could see of the city, leaning out the open window.
“Gonna fall.”
Startled, I jerked back inside.
Wildman appeared upside down in the opening. “Go now.”
“All right. Let me wake up Teddy.”
I went over and shook Teddy’s good shoulder. “Wake up. Wildman’s here.”
“What?” Teddy rubbed his eyes. “Oh.
Okay.” I helped him up. By the time we turned around, Wildman was crouched
outside the window beckoning to us. It was harder to get out this time, since
Teddy was hurt, but we made it out to the jungle once again. We trooped through
the darkness, lit only by faint shafts of moonlight filtering from above.
“Seems like this is where we were
always heading,” Teddy said. “Out here, with him. It’s scary, but so much
better than living in a bubble of ignorance in the city.” He nodded toward
Wildman. “You’ve got someplace safe for us to go right, Wildman?”
“Sure. Safe place,” Wildman parroted.
“You know, we know you’re smarter
than you let on. If we’re going to stay together, work together to survive, you
should be honest with us.” I hiked the bag up on my shoulder.
“Don’t like to talk much.” Wildman
stopped and turned around, crouching at the base of a tree. He patted the packs
I thought we’d lost. “Yours.”
“He really doesn’t.” A man dropped down beside
him. It was No Name.
“You!” I took a step forward. “You
left us in the city to be used or die.”
“I told you; I have people to take
care of. I didn’t stop Wildman from helping you, and I sent a message to Anna. I
helped you the only way I could.”
“A bit too little, far too late.
We shut down Shvesla’s machine. Wildman risked his safety and his life ensuring
we succeeded and then could escape. We trust him, not you. What are you even
doing here?”
“Helping you,” he said simply. “Do
you think you’re equipped to live rough? Two soft boys fresh from the city? No.
I don’t know how he does it.” He gestured toward Wildman who was pawing through
some food No Name had given him.
“So what, we’re supposed to just
go with you? Let you be in charge and take over telling us what to do?” I
crossed my arms over my chest. “Teddy and I are a pair. I won’t let him live
anywhere we won’t be allowed to live our lives free, together.”
No Name shrugged. “I don’t care if
you’re intimate with each other or a hole in the door as long as you pitch in
to the community. I don’t tell you what to do; we all work together. I speak
for the group, but only if we all agree. If we don’t, we all die. The world is
a hostile place, but it’s better than living in the cities.” He slung his gun
over his shoulder.
“You can come with me, or you can
take your chances with him.”
TBC
Now for more flashing!!
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