Requiem for a Mouse (21 page)

SASHA – 74 Days Ago

“You have such pretty eyes,” the large man said as his knife edged ever closer to her pupils. His breath reeked of cigarettes and alcohol. In his eyes was a deep daze from some drug she had never heard of. Sasha held her breath, too scared to even blink.

“No,” Prince yanked his body against the guards that held him down. It looked as if he wanted to tear out his arms. “I’m the one that owes you money, not her! Leave her alone!” Unfortunately, his tears and screams only encouraged the fat man. Around them was a small circle of people, hooting and laughing.

“I think I’m going to take one,” the large man continued. “I’ll put it in a little vial beside my bed.” The edge of the knife bit into Sasha’s brow.

Everything inside her told her to scream and run. Sasha kicked against the ground as she strained her neck away from the knife. She let out small grunts. The crowd laughed. Some even shouted words of encouragement. Others just clapped as they pushed their way forward for a better view.

“Stop!” Prince heaved the words from his lips, as if vomiting. “Sasha!” His head jerked to his side and his jaws snapped at the hands holding him down. His teeth crunched together, hitting nothing but air. Sweat dripped from his hair, mixing with his tears in a small shower onto the plush carpet.

I remember now. The reason I’m here…

She had been so preoccupied with the blade, she had forgotten Prince. He had just been a prop in the background. In another time and place, she would’ve blushed from shame. But not here. Sasha ground her teeth together and exhaled her held breath. Even as the knife dug deeper into her face, she remained still.

She was the strong one in their family. It had always been this way. They needed her to be strong so that they could believe in her. As long as they could do so, there was nothing in this world that could frighten them. So now, she had to prove her strength.

I’m already in a casino, might as well gamble.

“Then take it!” Sasha screamed.

She lurched her head forward into the knife. It felt like a fire, searing through her eye. As the fire burned away, a blackness enveloped everything. There was no telling whether this was death or blindness.

The sound of metal hitting the ground gave her the answer. She was alive. And her assailant had dropped his knife and backed away.

“What the fuck?” his voice shook, half of the sentence in an awed whisper. “Why did you—”

“You missed.” Sasha said. With a scream she forced her good eye open. Warm blood trickled down her face, splattering onto the velvet carpet.

The large man looked at her like she was a monster, his face whiter than snow. With every step she took forward, he took one back, until he tripped over his own foot and fell. Sasha bent over and grabbed the knife from the carpet, its blade stained red with her blood. Her captor held his hands in front of him in a weak block.

“You’re not as tough as you think you are.” It was hard to talk through grit teeth, but the pain forced her mouth closed. Sasha tossed the knife to the man’s feet. “Try again.”

He jumped away from the blade. His head shook, sweat dripping from his face. Just like the crowd around them, he was silent.

Only Prince could talk, and he only spoke in half words. “Wha— Why? Sasha…” He squealed. “Don’t, no, what the fu—”

Sasha stepped toward the man, chasing him to the edge of the crowd. She picked up the knife and placed its handle in his hand. “Again.”

The man took the knife in both hands as if holding a flower. “You don’t think I can stomach this?” he stammered.

“No.” Sasha’s response was immediate. She knelt down in front of him and dragged his hand back to her eye. The tip of the knife poked her eyebrow.

“Don’t fucking underestimate me!” Before he could finish his sentence, his voice cracked and his eyes swelled with tears. “I’ll do it, I swear to God I’ll take out your eye.”

The knife danced on Sasha’s brow, shaking with the man’s trembling body. It cut into her skin, but only shallow cuts and by accident. Unlike the first time, the man did not hold her still. She was free to dodge however she pleased. But she was a statue.

“I’m getting bored.” Sasha said.

The man’s eyes widened in surprise. His jaw fell open and a desperate cry escaped his throat. It was almost like he was the one getting stabbed. The blade vibrated faster than it ever had.

The man screamed. It sounded like a dying animal. He screamed until his voice gave out and the knife fell from his hands. When he regained his breath, he screamed again into his hands.

“Mercy,” he whispered.

Sasha stood over him, looking down at him. “Fine.” With a quick twirl, she scanned the crowd. None dared look back. “Would anyone else like a try?” she asked. “Or can I leave now, lest you waste more of my time.”

“Sasha,” Prince said the word as if it were two, separated by its syllables.

Sasha walked up to his captors, the knife still in her hand. They backed away with the rest of the crowd. She felt like Moses parting the sea. Prince fell forward. He had some bruises, but other than that, he looked fine. She gave him a small smile and he returned her a terrified stare.

“C’mon now.” She kept her voice soft.

Prince took Sasha’s hand and stood, his eyes fixed on her eye.

“Spectacular!” A man in a white suit exclaimed. He stood on the second floor in what looked like a giant observation deck. He clapped his hands together in a slow and steady applause. “Girl, what is your name?”

Sasha turned to see the source of the voice. The man who said that was the only one who still dared look her in the eye. She was sure that if this man had been the one with the knife, she would already be dead.

“Sasha.” She answered. Venom spewed through both syllables.

“Pleased to meet you Sasha. My name is Lao, but here in this city, I am known as The Dragon. I’m sure you’ve heard of me, this is my casino you’re in. Your little friend over there owes us a bit of money, so I’m afraid you won’t be taking him.”

“Like hell I won’t!” She glared at the most powerful man in the city. “I’ve heard of you, Lao, but I don’t care who you are, or what is owed to you. You will never take one of mine!”

“Don’t expect me to bend over to your empty threats, little girl.”

“Empty threats? Little girl?” Sasha let out a sharp laugh. “Just who the hell do you think I am?” She grabbed Prince’s hand and walked out the door.

As soon as the doors closed behind her, Sasha dropped to her knees and shrieked at the floor. Her tears were molten lava.

FLOWER

Flower flipped through another plastic page. The dresses in her magazine put any piece of garment she had ever owned to shame. Wearing those clothes would be like wearing art. She wasn’t entirely sure she’d even enjoy it. It would feel like a waste to wear.

From the peripherals of her vision, she could see Maverick sneaking glance after glance toward the entrance of the alley. He fidgeted on the ground, drawing lines in the dirt with a stick.

“It’s not like you to be so nervous, Mav,” Flower said flatly. “What’s up?”

“Nothing.” Maverick returned his gaze to the ground, pretending to focus on whatever lines he was etching into the dirt.

“You just got back and already you’re this energetic? If you’re looking for something to do, go help Bolt finish preparing our roof. The storm’s supposed to be tomorrow.”

“It’s fine,” Bolt said, “I’m already done.”

He looked up at his handiwork. Umbrellas cascaded past each other in a makeshift roof. It had never failed them before, but tomorrow would be its true test.

“So what’s bothering you, Mav?” Bolt asked.

“It’s just that Sasha’s been out a while. The sun’s almost down and she still hasn’t come back. I’m just worried about her,” Maverick responded.

Bolt turned with a queer look on his face. “C’mon, this is Sasha we’re talking about. The girl is practically invincible.”

“No, she’s human.” Maverick sounded a little annoyed.

“To her, those are basically the same,” Bolt said. “Seriously, you should take a page out of Prince’s playbook.”

They all turned to look at Prince, a shirt still lumped over his face. His chest rose at a slow and steady pace. He looked completely at peace.

“Isn’t he a little too carefree?” Flower asked jokingly.

“She’s back.” Maverick nodded toward the alley entrance.

Flower turned to see a shadow stretched against the wall. Gradually, it grew until Sasha turned the corner.

“Welcome back, Sasha!” Flower smiled in relief.

“Hey Sasha,” Maverick said with a small voice.

Sasha took small steps toward them. She leaned against the wall, looking as if she would fall over without its support. Her face was drained of its usual rosy hue. “Hey guys.”

“You okay, Sasha?” Bolt asked with a look of concern.

“Of course, who do you think I am?” But it was unlike the way she usually said it. This time, her voice waned and by the time she finished the sentence, it sounded like a whisper.

“How was Project Persist, did you get the money?” Flower asked cautiously.

Sasha looked away as if ashamed to make eye contact. “No. I got in a fight with the manager. Sorry, Flower. I’ll go back tomorrow when he’s calmed down.”

“What happened?” Flower closed her magazine, giving Sasha her full attention.

“Look, let’s talk about this some other time. Okay, Flower?” Sasha sighed. “It wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“I’d rather not. Clearly something’s wrong. Sasha, you can tell us.”

“Flower, just drop it,” Maverick said. “She said she’ll tell us tomorrow.”

“No,” Flower answered. “Sasha, we’re just worried about you. What happened?”

“I can’t say,” Sasha responded.

“What do you mean you can’t?”

“That is what I mean.”

Flower shook her head, astounded by Sasha’s answer. “You’re not even going to give us an explanation?”

“No.”

That was the final straw. “Sasha, you’ve been acting weird all morning and now this. If this was the other way around, you wouldn’t drop it until you heard the entire story. Honestly, you’re being selfish right now.”

Flower’s words seemed to strike a nerve because Sasha exploded. “Selfish? Do you have any idea what I’ve given for you guys? Do you think that this happy little life of ours can just go on forever? Who do you think will protect us from The Slasher or The Dragon? But you wouldn’t get it because you don’t even go on drops with us!” When she finished, her shoulders rose and fell with her pants.

Both Maverick and Bolt gasped, their eyes wide and jaws open. Flower mirrored their expressions but with her brow furrowed in anger.

Bolt raised a timid hand in the air. “Guys, maybe we should—”

“I think you’re the one who doesn’t know!” Flower screamed back. “For God’s sake, the only reason we still have medicine is because Prince buys it with his gambling money. But every time you catch him, all you do is yell at him even though he risks his life for us!”

Flower knew she shouldn’t have revealed that. Prince had begged her to keep it a secret so that Sasha wouldn’t refuse the pills. She braced herself for another round of shouting, but when Sasha looked up at her, she did so with tears. Flower had never seen that look in Sasha’s eyes before. Defeat.

“I guess I was never really able to protect you guys then,” Sasha muttered. “I’m sorry about what I said Flower, I didn’t mean it. I’m going to bed.”

Without another word, Sasha disappeared inside her tent. Flower gave Bolt and Maverick an unsteady look. Their expressions reflected her own feelings. They were scared.

PRINCE

“Hello, Prince.” The voice was soft, whispered directly into his ear.

If only I can always wake like this.

Prince opened his eyes to a cloudless black sky. Little dots of light twinkled above him as if winking. “Hello, Sasha. Welcome back. What brings you here?”

Sasha laid beside him, her fingers wrapped around his own. Strands of her hair tickled his neck. If he could, he would freeze time right now, forever.

“It’s a beautiful night,” Sasha said. She gave Prince’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Prince, what will you do now that we’re done?”

Prince squeezed back. “Didn’t I tell you already?”

“Tell me again.”

The slight brush of her arm gave him jitters. “I’ve been thinking of becoming a peddler. I like how it’s like gambling, but I don’t have to risk my life or anything. I think I’d be good at it.”

Sasha groaned happily. “You know I wouldn’t have let you become a gambler anyway,” she said with a giggle. “And what of Bolt, what do you think he’ll do?”

“Bolt?” Prince scratched his neck. “He hasn’t really talked about it.”

Sasha grabbed Prince’s arm in a tight embrace and leaned in so that she was whispering into his ear once again. “What do you imagine he’d do?”

Prince’s heart skipped a beat. In panic, his head snapped up, nearly colliding with Sasha’s mouth. “Sorry,” he muttered, and before he could embarrass himself further, he clenched his teeth and forced his head back down.

“It’s okay.” Her voice was forgiving. She sent a single finger down his arm, drawing little ovals where it bent. “But Bolt, where do you think he’ll be?” she asked.

“He’d probably get a job, one that involves running, like a courier or something. He’ll settle down and maybe even find a girl he likes.”

Sasha rested her head on Prince’s shoulder. “I’d like that.”

Prince tilted his head so that it laid on Sasha’s. “What’s gotten into you tonight?”

“And what of Flower and Maverick? Do you think they’ll be alright?” Her hushed whisper rose in a manner much like pleading.

Prince stopped to think for a bit. “Well, Maverick’s quiet but he knows how to take care of himself. He’ll do whatever he has to and get by. I bet as soon as he can, he’ll leave this place for something he saw on TV. And Flower, she’s a tough girl and even tougher doctor. If I had to bet, I’d say she would set up her own little hospital here. God knows we need them. Sasha, why all these questions. It sounds like – ow!” Prince jerked his head away. “You bit me!”

“Shhhh,” Sasha giggled, “You wouldn’t turn toward me.” She sounded like a little girl, even more so than when she had kissed him by the riverbank.

“Why did you need me to do that?” Prince massaged the bite mark on his neck.

Sasha wrapped a hand around Prince’s neck and brought him in. She pressed her lips against his and climbed on top of him. With a short laugh, she broke the kiss. “So I could thank you, Prince, for everything you’ve done for me, even when I yell at you for it.”

“What are you talking about?”

Instead of answering, Sasha leaned back in for another kiss. “You’re getting better at this,” she said when she broke off to breathe.

“Thanks,” Prince answered breathlessly.

Sasha dragged her hands down his chest. She looked down, refusing to match Prince’s gaze. In the silver of the moonlight, it looked as if her eyes were full of tears. It wasn’t until the first tear dropped that Prince realized they actually were.

“What’s wrong, Sasha?”

It was as if she didn’t realize she was crying. With a quick shake of her head, she wiped the tears from her eyes. “Sorry,” she whispered. Those red eyes returned to Prince, supplemented by a soft smile. “Do you remember what I promised you, Prince?”

“What?”

“I promised you that I’d tell you something, when all of this was over.” She bent down and pushed her forehead against Prince’s so their noses touched. “Do you remember what I promised to tell you?”

“That you loved me.”

The words made Sasha smile. She kissed him again, this time pressed against him like her life depended on it. Prince returned the kiss, but was hardly able to keep up. He turned and escaped the kiss to breathe. Sasha didn’t stop. Her lips continued their attack.

“Hey Sasha, slow down.”

His words fell on deaf ears. A drop of water fell on his cheek. It felt like frost was sprouting from where it landed. He looked up, half expecting the storm of the century that everyone had been talking about, instead, all he saw was the same cloudless sky he had awoken too. The droplets were coming from Sasha.

He felt a tug on his pants, then it was fingers fidgeting with his buttons. The realization sent a shock through his body. “Woah,” Prince whispered loudly. He pushed Sasha off of him. “Sasha, what are you doing?” He stared at her in disbelief. But the sight he saw was even more shocking.

Sasha fell onto the ground. She covered her mouth with one hand, little cries escaping from the gaps between her fingers. Fat tears dripped down her cheeks in a steady stream. Her shoulders shuddered.

“I’m sorry, Prince.” She shook her head as if she couldn’t believe herself.

It was like being jerked awake from a dream.

“Sasha, what’s going on?” Not even at Hawk’s Lair, when half her eye was cut, did she cry like this.

Sasha shook her head. “I’ll tell you in the morning,” she said with heavy breaths. “Just please, leave me alone tonight.” And with that, she retreated back into her tent. The soft canvas might as well have been a brick wall stacked a mile high.

Prince remained still. His heart raced, but not in the same way as before.

Why did that feel like goodbye?