I did too, but only because he’s my closest friend. Zahra loves to fawn over his golden tousled hair and wide, expressive hazel eyes, but I don’t really see it. Not in the way a normal girl should. At least that’s what Aminah always tells me.
Tears sting my eyes as I sink down off the couch and curl up on the hard floor. I tuck my hand beneath my head and reach behind me to remove one of my knives. I usually sleep with a weapon at home.
Home.
When I close my eyes, I can almost make myself believe that I’m home, safe and loved. I should never have left, especially on my birthday. Eamon will be disappointed. He hinted that he had something special he wanted to give me. Knowing him, he’s whittled a new spear that’s the perfect height and thickness for me.
I miss all of my friends, even Zahra a tiny bit. Why did I ever leave?
This place didn’t exactly turn out the way I’d hoped. I came here thinking I could discover the truth behind the tremors and find a way to stop it. I know now that’s impossible. The Diggers are already heading our way. How long will it take for them to find our caves?
The City is dangerous, exactly as my mother warned me it would be, but she was wrong about one thing…I found compassion here too.
My mind races with unanswered questions. Where is Bastien now? Did he make it back to his subway car? Is he waiting for me to return? I have no idea if I will be able to find the entrance again, but I vow to try. I have to know if he is ok.
My thoughts tumble into oblivion as sleep tugs me away. I go willingly, ready for a respite from my fears.
Six
Even before I open my eyes, I can sense another presence in the room. It is subtle, like a tickling of your nose, but it’s there. I control my breathing, keeping it steady as I listen.
There is a faint creak on the floorboard to my right. I curl my fingers ever so slightly around the hilt of my knife, muscles coiled and ready to spring.
I launch my knife through the air before I even open my eyes. I’m up and firmly planted in a fighting stance by the time the shadow rolls back to its feet and rushes away. I glare at the blade buried deep in the wood framing the kitchen doorwaya near miss, but still a miss.
The figure moves with stealth, shifting fluidly around the room. I reach behind me and grab my gun, flicking off the safety as I kick the end table toward my assailant. I leap forward in a dive and come up only four feet from the man, gun aimed at his heart. Emerald green light blinds me as I stare into a laser cannon.
I dive to the side and roll behind a cabinet. I stifle my heavy breathing, listening for footsteps in the apartment but hear none. I tilt my head back toward the door and try to hear anyone creaking on the floor in the hall or mounting the steps. All is silent.
“Who are you?”
The man shifts slightly. Why isn’t he firing? The cabinet offers little protection from a cannon’s blast.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he calls.
I chamber a round. “Yeah, I’ve heard that one already tonight. Didn’t work out so well for me last time.”
“I’m not like Commander Drakon.” The response is soft, barely above a whisper, but filled with a surprising hint of bitterness.
“Mutiny among the ranks. You really want to go with that story?” I scoff. “Boy, you all must think humans are really stupid.”
“Not at all.” He shifts closer to the window and I get a full view of his size. Although he stands nearly a head taller than me, his body is long and lithe. His lean form betrays the body of a skilled warrior, not a mindless brute like some of the soldiers back at the factory.
I need to be wary of this one. He’s obviously not a stranger to hand-to-hand combat. “Are you planning to turn me in?”
I lean back against the cabinet,
Tears sting my eyes as I sink down off the couch and curl up on the hard floor. I tuck my hand beneath my head and reach behind me to remove one of my knives. I usually sleep with a weapon at home.
Home.
When I close my eyes, I can almost make myself believe that I’m home, safe and loved. I should never have left, especially on my birthday. Eamon will be disappointed. He hinted that he had something special he wanted to give me. Knowing him, he’s whittled a new spear that’s the perfect height and thickness for me.
I miss all of my friends, even Zahra a tiny bit. Why did I ever leave?
This place didn’t exactly turn out the way I’d hoped. I came here thinking I could discover the truth behind the tremors and find a way to stop it. I know now that’s impossible. The Diggers are already heading our way. How long will it take for them to find our caves?
The City is dangerous, exactly as my mother warned me it would be, but she was wrong about one thing…I found compassion here too.
My mind races with unanswered questions. Where is Bastien now? Did he make it back to his subway car? Is he waiting for me to return? I have no idea if I will be able to find the entrance again, but I vow to try. I have to know if he is ok.
My thoughts tumble into oblivion as sleep tugs me away. I go willingly, ready for a respite from my fears.
Six
Even before I open my eyes, I can sense another presence in the room. It is subtle, like a tickling of your nose, but it’s there. I control my breathing, keeping it steady as I listen.
There is a faint creak on the floorboard to my right. I curl my fingers ever so slightly around the hilt of my knife, muscles coiled and ready to spring.
I launch my knife through the air before I even open my eyes. I’m up and firmly planted in a fighting stance by the time the shadow rolls back to its feet and rushes away. I glare at the blade buried deep in the wood framing the kitchen doorwaya near miss, but still a miss.
The figure moves with stealth, shifting fluidly around the room. I reach behind me and grab my gun, flicking off the safety as I kick the end table toward my assailant. I leap forward in a dive and come up only four feet from the man, gun aimed at his heart. Emerald green light blinds me as I stare into a laser cannon.
I dive to the side and roll behind a cabinet. I stifle my heavy breathing, listening for footsteps in the apartment but hear none. I tilt my head back toward the door and try to hear anyone creaking on the floor in the hall or mounting the steps. All is silent.
“Who are you?”
The man shifts slightly. Why isn’t he firing? The cabinet offers little protection from a cannon’s blast.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he calls.
I chamber a round. “Yeah, I’ve heard that one already tonight. Didn’t work out so well for me last time.”
“I’m not like Commander Drakon.” The response is soft, barely above a whisper, but filled with a surprising hint of bitterness.
“Mutiny among the ranks. You really want to go with that story?” I scoff. “Boy, you all must think humans are really stupid.”
“Not at all.” He shifts closer to the window and I get a full view of his size. Although he stands nearly a head taller than me, his body is long and lithe. His lean form betrays the body of a skilled warrior, not a mindless brute like some of the soldiers back at the factory.
I need to be wary of this one. He’s obviously not a stranger to hand-to-hand combat. “Are you planning to turn me in?”
I lean back against the cabinet,