Escape from Harrizel (28 page)

We’re swept ahead but Able cuts across in
front of me, motioning to the West Wall. I put Pratt between us,
following her through the packed mass as more bodies filter in. We
arrive near the Maze’s entrance and have a back, right view of
Beshib who assumes the trunk, still gesturing in the last of the
lot. It’s not this crowded during Leisure Time because half hide in
the Maze while the other half dance away their fantasy of the
Rebirth. Even during Lecture, it’s never been this chokingly
tight.

Irie runs through the crowd, dodging frozen
bodies. He’s gone again in seconds, disappearing in the thicket of
people.

“Was that a message from Reid?” I ask.

Able shrugs. “Most likely.”

I think of the way people parted when he
strolled through the trench. “Are people afraid of him?”

“It’s not that they’re
afraid
,” Pratt
dismisses the statement, claiming the explanation for herself.
“They respect him.
Plus
,” she adds with a shrug, keeping her
voice low, “they know what he’s capable of.”

“What?”

She glances at Able for his opinion and he
simply nods.

Leaning in, she speaks in a rushed whisper.
“When he left the Kings, they didn’t just
let
him go. No one
just
leaves
. Grisham wanted him dead. And because no one had
ever left the Kings before, he wanted to make an example…” she
pauses, wincing at some horror playing behind her eyes. “Grisham
wanted everyone to know what happened if you suddenly became
‘unhappy.’ Even the Scouts had to go…” she lowers her head, shaking
it at the thought. “He had Reid placed in the middle of us. Then
announced that anyone who wished to leave would have to survive the
clan—
each
member. But, to make sure no one cheated, Grisham
offered the winner the honor of being his second. After that,” she
gulps, “they started lining up.”

I cover my mouth at the horror of her
words.

“Reid is an amazing fighter, you know, so
the first couple, he knocked out pretty quick. Of course the guys
with the
real
chance let the others go first—you know, to
tire him out—but each one that came at him, he knocked them down.
He
won
,” she says, excitement flaring in her face before it
turns down. “But he took a few nasty hits and… it wasn’t looking
good. Some of the guys started yelling for it to stop, to just let
him out but Grisham wouldn’t have it. He said it wasn’t fair to
‘abandon their Clan.’ But then Reid started back, said he wouldn’t
do it. Said he wouldn’t snatch anyone,” she thinks about it. “The
way he talked to Grisham, spitting blood like the last sixteen
fights hadn’t fazed him,” she shakes her head in awe. “What a
sight. He formed the Rogues right there if you ask me.”

“What happened?”

“Mantis went for the kill and started an
all-out fight. It’s like the Clan split right down the middle. Reid
ended it. Said there was no point in so much bloodshed,” Pratt
shrugs. “Anyway, after that, every Clansman and Scout knew what
Reid did. What he’s capable of. That’s why they call him Rox. It
means unbreakable.”

I look to Able who nods along. “Pretty
much.”

“But you guys call him Reid.”

“I
never
do and Pratt’s his personal
Scout. Besides Tucker and whoever else you guys seem to know, it’s
Rox to the rest of them.”

“So again,” Pratt sums up, “not afraid. Just
respectful.”

Able shrugs, mumbling, “…A
little
afraid.”

“You’re such a baby.” Pratt rolls her
eyes.

“That’s what I said!”

“Neither of you ladies would ever have to
take
on
Rox,” Able shakes his head, “so you don’t get
it.”

“I apologize for pulling you away from your
dedicated work,” Beshib’s velvety voice snaps me back to the
present. “But there is news to share. With all the survivors
Clarence has been finding, I’ve ordered an in depth, investigatory
search of your planet... and I’m please to say we’ve found more!
Many, many more!

“Plenty doubted this would result in
anything more than outrage for what your kind did to itself.
However
,” Beshib tosses a piercing stare around, “it seems
as though you persevered. You
survived
. For all the damage
you’ve done to yourself, you haven’t lost the will to continue and
that,” he grins, “that’s the very thing we need here. Clarence will
be making multiple drops throughout the day and they’ll be arriving
in large groups. Space will be limited, but with our near
completion on the upper levels, I believe we can make it work.”

Lie after lie after lie. I glance around,
scanning the naïve faces that look to Beshib, some with hope, to
solve all their problems and bring them the salvation they’ve
waited so long for. Some look with uncertainty, as if they want to
believe him but know they shouldn’t. The rest already know he’s
lying, so they listen with their own agendas. What can they gain
from this sudden change of events?

Beshib surveys the room, “This is a
wonderful day for humanity. And of course,” his encouraging words
turn somber, “a day to remind you of the selflessness of the
Dofinikes. The Dofinikes, who have rescued
you
, clothed you,
sheltered and fed you. You,” he’s talking to each one of us now,
accusingly as normal, “a suicidal species. Ready to die for
nothing. Ready to destroy your planet. But,” he extends a finger,
his voice growing lighter at the change of topic, “perhaps a second
chance at survival, yes? It’s your responsibility to get the new
Arrivals settled, to keep to Rebuilding as normal. With all that
the Dofinikes are doing for you, working day in and day out for
cures, antidotes, it is
expected
that all new humans be
attended to and cared for by their own kind. Remember, a quick
acclimation is best for everyone involved…” and with that, he
glances at Jeb quickly, offering the slightest of nods. Beshib
turns back to us, raising his arms in victory. “It truly is a great
day for humanity!”

Beshib withdraws from the trunk, landing
near the South Wall and behind the massive hoard of bodies with one
momentary leap. Jeb is in his place in seconds, assuming the
spotlight on the glowing trunk. He’s speaking but I tune him
out.

Instead, I replay the facts.

The Dofinikes want us here for a reason, for
some purpose and even Sampson doesn’t know what it is. So far,
they’re only taking us in small groups or if need be, one by one.
But they won’t bother with us if we’re busy Rebirthing our
race…

“You may return to the Rebuilding now, thank
you,” Jeb’s smiling brightly, motioning gently toward the exits.
“Your cooperation is highly appreciated in this time for
rejoicing.”

“Multiple drops?” I hear over my
shoulder.

Pratt and Able turn to find Reid, hoping for
something, some sort of answer to all this. But Reid keeps his face
impassive, still trying to figure it out himself.

“And in large groups,” I add.

“Sound familiar?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Listen,” he pulls me back, whispering into
my ear and letting the others move ahead. “I have to talk to Tucker
and Jace about Recruitments so I’ll be busy for the rest of the
day. But I’ll see you after Leisure Time, right?”

I nod.

He offers me a quick wink before moving
through the crowd with ease, disappearing in seconds. I’m shuffled
along by the current, which shifts me toward the closest stairwell.
Almost there, I feel something—that familiar sensation of being
watched. Scanning, I find Mantis standing as the herd moves around
him. He’s glued to the marble floor, his stiffened arms hanging
determinedly at his side, his large, dark eyes centered wholly on
me.

My stomach drops.

Weaving through the bodies around me, I
ascend the stairwell and force myself to keep composure. I’m in the
middle of everyone—what’s he going to do? But once in the
Courtyard, I toss a glance over my shoulder and see him still
moving behind me. His dark eyes are set on me, sending my pulse
racing. I gulp, forcing myself forward when I notice Jace a ways
up, walking slower than someone with his long-legged stride should.
But I take comfort in his presence. If Mantis tries anything, at
least he’ll be nearby.

Passing through the portcullis, I head for
the trench. Casting one final glance behind me, I sigh in relief to
find Mantis is no longer there, but instead, Chief is surveying the
area, his long, feathered earring swinging as he turns his head,
scanning. I head back to my spot in the trench line and lose myself
in my thoughts.

***

I’m at his room.

Exactly sixteen doors from the Northeast
corner on the twelfth floor. I have no idea if I’m early or late,
but I’m here, so I knock twice on Reid’s crimson arch and it
instantly flies open. He grins, excited to see me and I melt
inside.

“Come in,” he gestures, “we’ll head out in a
second.”

I follow him in and he closes the door
behind me, glimpsing at me with another sheepish grin.

“What?” I laugh, feeling almost giddy
myself.

“Nothing. Just been looking forward to
this.”

“To what?”

He shrugs but doesn’t answer, moving through
his room which is nearly identical to mine. Two babeebs hang
beneath the silvery Gizella branches that snake across the ceiling.
A bed with heaps of worn navy rags sits in the corner and a window,
a little mirror and a chair decorate the rest of the space.

“What?” I glance around. “No fancy crib for
Rox?”

He scoffs, “Please. The only special
treatment I get is the Dofinikes turning their heads when I conduct
business.”

“And why do you think that is?”

“Because without me, there’d be no Rogues.
Without the Rogues, there’d be no division and that’s what they
want,” he moves around his room again, looking for
something.“Dofinikes want to keep us a divided front. As long as
the Kings and Rogues remain at war with one another, the humans
will never be a united force.”

“Have you thought of joining forces?
Reestablishing—”

But Reid is already shaking his head. “The
Kings work for Tetlak. They’re part of the problem. They’ll sell us
all out before we’d be able to establish peace talks. No,” he says
again, ducking under his bed, “there’s no point.”

“What are you looking for?”

“Uh…” he shuffles the navy rags, something
clinking in the folds. His face reddens as he picks up a solid
glass flower with a cluster of long, heart shaped petals. It’s the
same color and consistency as the sheets of dried gibb carried in
transport. He holds it out to me. “I had the Carpenters make
it.”

I pinch the stem between my fingers as I
look to Reid.

“Lame, right?” he runs his hands through his
hair. “I thought about bringing you the real thing but uh, they’d
dry out and die. This way,” he glances at it, “it’ll never
wither.”

I’m staring at the glass flower, completely
lost for words.

Reid exhales, crossing his arms over his
chest. “Come on, say something. You’re killing me here.”

“Uh…” I gulp, heat erupting within. “Thank
you?”

He runs his hands down his face. “I knew it.
It was dumb.”

“No! I just…” I glance at the flower in my
hand, “…I didn’t expect…”

“It’s not like I can take you out on a date.
I just thought…” he clears his throat, avoiding my eye as he
glances around the room. “I don’t know what I thought. Anyway,” he
shrugs, “it’s for you. We uh,” he plants his hands on his hips, “we
should probably get going.”

“Okay,” I place the flower back on his bed,
“can I pick this up later?”

He nods, leading us out of the room and down
to the Courtyard in silence. We meet up with Sampson and the others
in one of the tunnels that lead out into the underground roots.
Everyone stands around, lost in small talk until Reid and I emerge
under Sampson’s lantern of babeebs.

“Let’s go,” Reid instructs, leading the way
with Sampson at his side. We move in relative silence through the
underground tunnels but halfway out, I make my way to Able’s side.
He grins at me but I don’t return the expression. I’m still
deciding what I want to say.

“Reid gave me a flower.”

“Yeah…” he glances at me, “I know.”

“Your idea?”

“Uh…” he laughs, “I think it was a
collaboration. Jace, Tucker… even the Carpenters tossed around a
few ideas and that’s what we came up with. Why?” he frowns. “You
don’t like it?”

“No, I do. I just…” I shrug, “I wasn’t
expecting it. I think I hurt his feelings.”

“Rox?” he laughs. “Takes more than that to
hurt his feelings. If he thinks you don’t like it, he’ll try
something else.”

“Did he ask you guys for help?”

“Nope,” Able shakes his head. “Rogues have
been spitting out ideas since they knew about you. Anything to keep
him happy and away from Ansley.”

“Really?” warmth spreads through me. “Why
would they go to the trouble?”

“You have to understand something,” he
slows, turning to me with a heavy exhale, “no one left the Kings.
No one
. And more than half wanted to. So, when Rox did what
he did, he sort of liberated us. And then, when we thought we’d go
hungry, he had food for us. Always. He was out here every night for
hours so we could eat drug free.
Every night
. He never asks
anything for himself so why shouldn’t we help where we can? Rox is
a good guy,” Able starts moving again and I’m at his side, “and
every Rogue feels like he owes him. They’re willing to do about
anything for him.”

“And that includes girl stuff?”

“Whatever keeps him happy.”

I nod, running over everything.

“But,” Able shrugs, “since we’re on the
subject… mind helping me out here? If you’re not a fan of the
flower, what would you like?”