Requiem for a Mouse (19 page)

SASHA

All Sasha wanted was for things to be back to normal, to how they were before. But she found herself blushing every time she made eye contact with Prince, and turning away whenever she did so with Maverick. Though she was able to keep conversation with Flower, she could tell that Flower sensed something was amiss. So when Flower mentioned that she had to go to the Project Persist station to collect money for their last drop, Sasha volunteered to do so instead.

She walked to the Project Persist station, her head swimming. She stepped inside, taking a second to appreciate the waft of cool air flowing through her hair. In front of her was a line of dirty kids leading to a desk, she took her place in line.

The tile floor felt foreign to her feet. She gripped its edges, surprised by how smooth they were. But then again, everything about this place was foreign to her. Its desks were a mahogany brown, lined up from one end of the room to another like a giant wall. Unkempt employees sat behind each desk.

At the very end of the room, opposite to the entrance, was the title Project Persist in shiny plastic letters. The title was underlined by a picture of two hands, spread open as if receiving alms. But besides the desks and the lettering, the rest of the building was just empty space for people to wait in.

Though the line was short, the employees were slow. Some held their feet on their desks as if to show off their shoes. One employee even slept, snoring with his face on his desk.

“This isn’t enough!”

Sasha turned to see a boy with spiky blonde hair arguing with one of the employees. The boy held an envelope in one hand. His other hand was bandaged so tightly it didn’t look like he would be able to make a fist. The bandage went all the way up his arm.

The employee flicked his head back, flipping his wavy blonde hair. His feet rested on the desk. “Company policy, kid.”

“Is it company policy also to send kids into fucking warzones?”

“If you have any complaints, file a formal one online.” He swung his feet off his desk and leaned in toward the boy. “Otherwise, stop wasting my time.”

“You know I can’t do that.” Tears spilled out of the boy’s eyes. When he spoke, he did so with his teeth clenched. “We just need money to bury Lucas. Please.”

“Look,” the employee crossed his arms. “I can’t just give out money to every sob story that comes in here. For all I know, you’re lying.”

When he opened his mouth, his words came deflated. “You think I’m lying?”

The employee sighed, clearly annoyed. “If you don’t want the money, I can take it back. Otherwise, deal with
your
problems yourself. Next!”

For a while, the Mouse just stood there. With a defeated shake of the head, the Mouse turned and left. Sasha watched him go. A familiar feeling welled inside her chest as she clenched her fists shut. She stepped forward to replace the Mouse.

The employee’s feet returned to his desk. “I’m Tyler, how may I help you?”

“I’m here to collect payment for a drop.” Sasha looked in his coffee mug to see a thick syrup.

“What’s your name?” His breath reeked of alcohol.

“It’s under the name Flower.”

“What a strange name.” He fumbled through the file cabinet until he pulled out a large stack of papers. “Oh wow, now this is just unlucky.”

Sasha frowned.

“How long did it take you to do so many drops?”

“Almost three years now.”

“Holy shit. Three years down the drain.” Tyler held up his coffee mug. “You look like you need a drink.”

“You look like you need to stop.”

“Hey, show some courtesy.” Tyler snapped. “I’m giving you money even though you failed, I’m doing you a favor.”

Sasha shook her head. “No, you’re doing your job. A favor would be giving the last Mouse some burial money.”

“Tons of people die every day. You want me to hand them all money?” Tyler asked.

The anger she couldn’t summon the previous night returned in full force.

“No, I want you to stop being an asshole and do your god damn job properly.”

Tyler leaned toward her and threw his head back, drinking what was left of his coffee mug. When he finished, he slammed the mug back down onto the table. “How’s that for properly? If you were in my shoes, I promise you, you’d do the same as I did. This is just too good of deal to mess up, especially for just a Mouse.”

“Just a Mouse?” Somehow, Sasha managed to keep her voice donw. “We risk our lives to save people like you.”

“So what? Do you expect me to save every sob story that comes into this place? That’s ridiculous, I’m only human.”

Against her better judgment, Sasha opened her mouth. As soon as she did, all semblance of control disappeared. Her hands smacked the table, toppling Tyler over in surprise.

“Only human?” Sasha screamed. “Next to God Himself, humans are the most powerful beings in this world. So when you tell me you’re only human, please explain to me what the fuck that’s supposed to mean!”

Silence. Sasha looked around to see startled eyes. Even the employee who was asleep had woken. She turned back to Tyler who was scrambling up from the ground.

Shit.

“I’m just here for my pay.” She muttered.

“Fuck off.”

“Not without what I’m owed.”

“Too bad, we’re closed.” Tyler set his seat back upright. With a stern finger pointed at the door, he shouted, “Everyone, get out!”

Nobody moved. All eyes were on Sasha.

“Get these people out of here!” Tyler screamed with a wave of his hand. It was as if the rest of the employees came out of a daze. They scurried people out, like dogs herding sheep, but none dared come near Sasha.

“I want to talk to the manager.” Sasha said.

“You’re talking to him.” Tyler sat back down on his seat and crossed his arms.

The room was empty except for Sasha and the employees. “Then I want to talk to your boss.”

Tyler snorted. “You want to complain to The Dragon?”

The words hit Sasha like a punch to the face. It took her a few moments just to register what they meant. “What do you mean The Dragon?” she asked softly.

The blood drained from Tyler’s face and his words came out in a nervous stammer. “No, I mean, he’s everybody’s boss. He runs this city. That was…”
Sasha reached across the desk and grabbed a clump of his shirt. She pulled him in so that their noses were just a few inches apart. “That was what?” she growled. “A joke? Why did you mention The Dragon?”

Tyler was as limp as a doll. His eyes were wide. “Please, don’t tell him I said anything.”

Everything came together. In that instant, Sasha knew why Mice and Hawks still existed. The realization sent shudders down her spine. The history books were right, Project Persist ended years ago. Mice and Hawks was something The Dragon started.

She let go of Tyler and stepped backwards, almost stumbling.

“Hey look, I can get you your money now.” Tyler said. He reached under his desk and pulled out a thick yellow envelope of cash. “I can even give you extra, nobody has to know about it.”

Sasha took a step back. This seemed to trigger something in Tyler because he lunged forward to grab her. His stomach hit the desk and he fell face-first into the floor. Sasha turned and ran out the door.

“Stop!” Tyler called out after her.

She sprinted down the street, headed directly toward Hawk’s Lair.

LAO

Lao’s body melted into the cushions of his chair. He grabbed the glass of Chilean merlot beside him and sipped. Long ago, he had found that wine and cigarettes were best suited to eliminate the aftertaste of the poison in his flask.

Today’s burning had been particularly unpleasant. It was a Lion named Lily, just another pawn for The Boss to play with. They had found her delirious in a puddle of blood. When they dragged her away, she had thanked them, as if they were saving her.

“I’ve seen a true monster,” she had claimed. And when she burned, she didn’t even beg.

The Dragon’s losing its edge.
Now of all times.

Lao needed the city to believe in his power for just a little longer. Then, he would save the city despite itself.

Maybe The Boss knew that.

Who is this man?
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Come in,” he said.

Salib opened the door and stepped aside to let Jynx through.

“The Boss is targeting drops,” Lao said. “Is there any chance that he knows?”

Jynx shook her head. “There’s no way. Only we know the truth.”

“So then what’s his angle?”

“He wants the city,” Salib said. “I think his next move will be another attack on Hawk’s Lair. If he takes Hawk’s Lair, people will realize that we’re only human.”

Lao squeezed his wine glass. “He can have this city. As soon as I’m done saving it. How many drops left do you need, Salib?”

Salib pinched his chin in thought. “Just one,” he finally said. “Then we’ll have identified all our patrons.”

Lao nodded. “I’ve waited five years to bring this world to its knees, I can wait a few more days. Jynx, I want you to—”

A muffled shriek interrupted Lao.

“Did you guys hear that?” Lao asked. He put a finger over his lips and waited. Sure enough, the shriek came again, this time, more clear.

“Dragon!” It was a female voice, one that he hadn’t heard for a long time.

Lao shot up from his chair.

“We’re not done yet, father,” Jynx said.

Lao walked out, down the plush carpet of the hallway. He turned the hall toward the main room to see brown hair flying in all directions. As soon as he was down the stairs, eyes as red as blood honed into him. She screamed as she thrashed within in the guard’s grip.

“It’s been a while,” Lao said, a smile peeking through his lips. “Why have you never come to visit, Sasha?”

JYNX

“That’s enough now,” The Dragon said. “You can let go of her.”

“But sir,” one of the guards protested.

The Dragon didn’t let him finish, he silenced them with a single hand. The guards exchanged worried looks. It was comical that such large men could be worried by such a small girl. With a nod, they released her.

Sasha lunged forward, breaking into a full sprint toward The Dragon. She only made it half way before a guard tackled her from behind. He landed on top of her, crushing her with his weight.

The Dragon stood still, a smile on his face. For whatever reason, he held a soft spot for this girl. Jynx could never understand why her father would admire such a weak girl.

“Are you here to wager your other eye?” The Dragon asked.

Sasha was a pathetic sight, groveling as Mice should. Jynx stepped between Sasha and her father, in case she was to try something else. However, a hand on her shoulder stopped her. The Dragon pushed her away just as the guard got off Sasha.

Jynx began protesting. “But—”

“No.” The Dragon gave her a look that meant she was not to speak back.

Jynx stepped aside, hardly able to contain her annoyance.
Why is she so special?

“You piece of shit,” Sasha spat out from the ground. She pushed herself up, glaring at The Dragon as if nobody else existed.

“I’ve been called much more,” The Dragon responded.

But people have died for much less.

“You’ve been playing us from the start.” Sasha staggered up. Her fists clenched at her sides as if she was preparing for a fight.

“Who is ‘us’?” The Dragon asked.

“Mice.”

The one word drained Jynx of breath. She looked at Salib with an awed expression, trying to mentally tell him to do something, but Salib was just as shocked as the rest of them.

“Let’s continue this conversation in my office.” The Dragon said in a low voice.

Sasha didn’t budge. “Tell me Lao, did any of it matter?”

“How did you find out?”

“Answer me!” Sasha’s voice jumped a few octaves.

This girl is dangerous.

Sasha rolled her sleeves up to her shoulder to reveal biceps littered with scars and cuts. “Did any of this matter?”

“Guards!” Jynx said. The two guards behind her walked up and placed a hand on Sasha’s shoulders, ready to restrain her. Their touch was light. They probably felt pity for this girl, just as her father did.

Jynx looked to her father. “She knows.”

Their next course of action was obvious.

“Take her to The Dragon’s Pit and keep her quiet.” Salib ordered.

The guards didn’t move. They exchanged nervous looks

“What’s the problem?” Jynx asked, her patience gone.

“She’s just a little girl,” a guard responded.

“And as I recall, you have one too. So pick which little girl you want to worry about.” Jynx snapped back.

One guard looked away, too ashamed to make eye contact. He pressed one hand against Sasha’s mouth to keep her quiet. With a slight push with the other hand, he began leading her to The Dragon’s Pit. The Dragon stood frozen in place as they led Sasha past him.

“Ow!”

Jynx heard the sound of crunching bone before she saw the blood. Sasha twisted out of the guards’ grip with blood in her mouth. She charged The Dragon with a charred blade in hand and nobody in her way.

It was like time had stopped. Even the guard squeezing his bloody finger remained still. For a moment, Jynx thought that the world itself had ceased to spin. They watched Sasha, the blackened tip of her knife trembling right below The Dragon’s neck.

She opened her mouth and screamed at the floor. She threw shriek after shriek into the carpet. Then, in one last piercing note, she dropped the knife.

The guard she bit got to her first. He wrapped his arms around her body and lifted her into the air. She hung loosely as if all the energy had been drained from her body.