Wally

by Rowan Massey

  “What? Why? Because of the cure?” I asked. “Kids won’t take it.”

  “No, not just that,” he said, and looked at the door like he was worried about someone hearing. He lowered his voice a little. “Doc might not have realized this, but most people are assuming that Ten Block and Citizen Gardens are allies right now. He brought in something that he can’t control. Barkley didn’t negotiate to have them here. He probably felt forced. Ten Block is part of a nation-wide gang. Emporium is nothing against both them and Citizen Gardens. So far, Ten Block has been attacking just to prove their strength. They wouldn’t dare ruin Emporium. Here’s where it gets messy…”

  But I was already confused, trying to keep up with what he was saying.

  “Why is Citizen Gardens interested in this place?” I asked.

  “That’s what I’m getting to. The Citizen General takes a strong stance against exploitation, and that’s what he believes Emporium is really all about. He gives speeches about the world still having a chance to become a place where everyone has a thriving metaphorical Garden of Eden to live in. He wants Emporium to be exposed and taken down. He would try to turn all the abandoned buildings into indoor farming operations, just like in Manhattan. It would do a lot for his image in the eyes of his followers. He’s already revealed a lot of sick activities on the part of Barkley and his political allies—”

  “What are you talking about?” Doc interrupted from the lab. “I heard that. Where are you getting this information?” He walked right up to the door and knocked on it. “Enough of all this, Wally. Let me in. We’ll talk about our personal issues, not political opinions.”

  Before I could stop him, London opened the door. I backed away, not knowing what to expect. Peter barged in, and I scrambled away from him in case he was reacting to something London had said about Citizen Gardens and his Citizen General, but he only snatched the gun from the sink and walked away just as quickly as he’d come in, leaving me with Doc and London. The two of them stared at each other, and I felt like they were communicating something I wasn’t picking up on. I kept my mouth shut.

  “It’s true,” London said to Doc finally. “I’m sorry. That’s why Avi is here. He knows you don’t keep up with these things and got in over your head. He figured if two Sardanas were here, the Citizen General would behave better.”

  Doc’s eyes widened, and he stayed frozen in the doorway. We were all standing so close together. I could have easily reached out and touched either of them, and I was trapped between them. The tiny room wouldn’t have been a problem if I wasn’t already nervous. I pushed past Doc and went into the lab where I saw Peter sitting on a stool, the gun next to him.

  “That wasn’t such a good idea,” he said to me, giving me a half smile. “Anytime you pick up a gun, you put yourself and others in danger. And you don’t want to find out what it’s like to kill. Don’t do that again.”

  “I won’t.”

  I hung my head and went to the mice where I felt safest, looking down into some of my favorite bins to see what they were doing. Doc and London left the bathroom and came over to me. I got surprised when London wrapped his arms around me and put a hand on my head so that my face pushed against his shoulder.

  “Don’t you ever frighten us like that again!” he said. “If you get scared, talk first! Don’t just pick up a gun and panic!”

  He gave me a little shake, and I nodded against his shirt.

  “I promise,” I said. “I felt trapped. I’m sorry.”

  When he let go, I was even more surprised to get a hug from Doc right away, as if he’d been waiting in line behind London. His face was twisted up with emotion. I’d never seen him like that.

  His hug was quick and tight. He held me out by my arms and looked me in the eye.

  “I will never put you in danger knowingly,” he said, choked up. “You weren’t meant for guns and violence, understand me? I know I messed up by not explaining better, for not making sure you knew who would be here before you showed up. I messed up. I did. But Wally, don’t assume I’m going to do anything to hurt you. Don’t you know by now how much I care? You are my priority. Alright? I promise to do better from now on and pay attention to you first, no matter what’s going on. Do you believe me?”

  How could I not believe he meant it when he was so upset? But I wasn’t sure he could keep his promise. I nodded anyway. He gave me another quick hug, then walked away pulling his fingers through his dark beard.

  “Is there anything else I should know?” I asked London.

  “There’s going to be an announcement at the field while all the kids are there. Nobody will sell drugs until the announcement is over. They’ll be able to get their fielders from Dread Red or Atul right away. Understand? But after that, Atul will give them their drugs for free at a dispensary somewhere else.”

  “He told me about the place Jace works at,” I said, nodding. “I know about that.”

  “It might be tonight,” London said, moving a little closer to me, knowing I would be upset. “I’ll stick close and make sure you and your friends are alright no matter what happens,” he promised.

  “Peter,” Doc said, pacing around anxiously, “I want you to keep an eye on Wally and his friends until your troops leave town. Is that possible?” Then in a lower voice, “He trusts you.”

  Peter nodded slowly and looked up the stairs. “I’ll have to clear it, but I wouldn’t mind.”

  “I’m fine,” I said, not liking the idea of being babysat. “I’m alright now. Really. I just want to go home. Nando will be awake, and I need to talk to him anyway.”

  I could see them all giving each other looks, but I turned away and went to the mouse that reminded me of Nando. Laying my hand over the bin, I really wanted to make up with him and tell him everything that was going on.

  “Alright,” Doc said, coming towards me. “Go home, but give us a few minutes. Maybe Peter can drive you.”

  “Sweetie, I’ll see you tonight on the field before things get started, okay?” London said.

  “Yeah, thanks, London.”

  He and Peter went upstairs, leaving me with Doc. I took out the Nando mouse to play with him. It was something I never did, but I didn’t care right then. Doc didn’t get onto me while the mouse ran from one of my hands to the next, getting nowhere.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Peter drove me to Nando’s in what looked like London’s car, from what I could remember of that horrible night. He asked me about Nando and told me more dirty jokes, making me laugh despite everything when he came up with one I hadn’t heard before. It was a short drive. When I said goodbye to him and left the car, walking up to the front door with my keys, I expected him to drive away, but he only sat there and gave me a short wave. Maybe he wanted to be sure I was safely indoors.

  I went in and hurried to our room, unlocking the door carefully in case he was still sleeping. The light was on, and he was already standing next to the bed, looking at me with anger even worse than before. I backed out of the room, but not before seeing a pile of my things laying on the bed.

  Nando came at me with his lips pulled back to show his teeth like an animal. He didn’t stop until I was backed up against the wall. His fingers jabbed hard into my chest.

  “Fucking traitor!” he hissed through his teeth, spit flying into my face. “You little shit! I can’t believe I ever even touched you!”

  “What? No!” It had to be about Citizen Gardens and Doc. “I didn’t know anything about it until just now. I came right back to tell you!”

  “You’re on their side. You’ve always been on their side. Trying to stop Spitz from fighting, refusing to fight yourself, all buddy-buddy with the Sardanas. Whose side am I supposed to think you’re on!”

  His hand went around my throat and squeezed. He jerked my head so that it cracked against the wall. My fingers pulled and scraped at his arm, but he was much stronger than me.

  “Please, Nando,” I croaked. “I’m not on their side. I don’t
want them here.”

  He threw me to the side, and I crashed into the corner by the window. I groaned at the pain my shoulder and head.

  “Tell me everything you know. Now! Did they tell you about any attacks?” he demanded.

  I glanced down at his crotch, and went weak at the bulge I saw there.

  “Yeah, that’s right,” he growled. “Don’t think I won’t rape you again if I don’t get answers.”

  “You wouldn’t do that…” I said, my voice like a child’s.

  The hard slap across my face hit me so suddenly that I was more surprised than hurt. Then the pain. I reached up and touched my face when I felt blood dripping from my lip. I licked it and it stung.

  “When is the attack?” he asked, and stepped close to my body until we were an inch apart.

  “They said there’s no fight. They’re just helping Doc with his announcement. Citizen Gardens is here to protect him from Barkley.”

  “That’s bullshit!” He screamed in my face.

  I cringed against the cold corner, wanting to shrink down to the floor and wait for it to be over. The sound of a door opening and shutting down the hall made me look around in shame, but someone must have seen us and thought better of leaving their apartment.

  Nando grabbed my jaw so hard it would leave bruises, and pressed his body against mine. I shivered at the feeling of his hard cock against my stomach.

  “Try again. Tell me what’s going on,” he said against my ear, grinding his hips just to intimidate me.

  I started blabbing, telling him everything London, Doc, and Peter had told me. Not sure I was making sense, I kept repeating myself. Whenever I slowed down, he jerked his hips against me, groped me, bit my ear hard enough to make me yell and try to get away.

  When he’d heard enough, he grabbed me by my jacket, turned me around, and shoved me so hard I fell onto the hard floor, the impact sending an ache through half my body. Before I could react, he straddled me and grabbed my face. Holding me down with his other hand, he kissed me hard, biting my already throbbing lip, then sat up and slapped me again.

  “Stop!” I screamed. “Just stop! Why are you doing this? I love you. I told you I love you!” It had taken me that long to start to cry. Sobs tore out of my chest. I covered my face with my arms, both ashamed and protecting myself.

  “I can’t believe I ever dated a dirty fucking stupid little fielder. You’re disgusting, do you know that? I couldn’t even fuck you until I made you take a bath. How gross can you be? I hope you die out there tonight. You’re lucky I haven’t stabbed you already.”

  Every word felt like a stab to my heart. I couldn’t take it. I rolled onto my side, trying to make myself get up, but he kicked me in the ribs.

  “If you talk to Spitz ever again,” he said, “I will drag you into the nearest dark alley and rape you till you bleed to death. Understand? He’s my brother now. And you’re just a whore who always smells like dog shit.”

  His heavy boot steps went into our room, and I hurried to my feet, hoping Peter was still nearby, but Nando came back out with his arms full of my last few belongings. He threw it all on the floor.

  I looked down at it, wanting to run away and not knowing if it was worth it to grab clothes and food bars out from under his tall, threatening body.

  “Pick that shit up!” he shouted, so I did. I scrambled on the floor to gather it up, and hurried away down the hall, hunching over the pain in my stomach where he’d kicked me. I felt like I might throw up.

  I made it outside, panting and crying. Peter was there in the car, waiting. I’d never been so happy to see someone. He leaned across to open the passenger side door for me, and I got in, slamming the door shut.

  “Get me out of here,” I sobbed. “I want to go back to Doc’s.”

  “Okay,” he said sweetly. “Don’t worry. We’re going.” He cranked the car and started to pull out.

  I jumped when I heard Nando’s voice yelling behind us.

  “I knew it!” he was screaming. “Traitor! Traitor!”

  I sunk into my seat and used one of the dirty shirts in my arms to wipe my face.

  “Just keep going,” I muttered.

  But Peter had slowed down, and he was looking behind us, his eyes calm but sharp. “That the guy who beat you up?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Nando. Let’s go.”

  He nodded after apparently getting a good enough look, then kept driving. I texted Doc before we got there.

  Wally: Comin bak rite now. Nando fucked me up.

  Doc: Fucked you up? What does that mean?

  Wally: Just let me stay in the lab alone plz

  Doc: Whatever you need

  I sat back in my seat and tried to relax, but I was hurting all over, and Nando’s words kept echoing in my skull. The feeling of his threatening dick, his hands squeezing and groping, wouldn’t leave my body. Every few minutes, I lost my breath and had to work to breathe. Peter was saying comforting things, but I didn’t hear any of it.

  To distract myself, I tried to fold up my clothes and see what I’d managed to keep. Nando had taken my money, but there was one fielder pill in a jeans pocket. I couldn’t stop myself, not caring about the consequences. Fishing it out of the baggy, I took it before Peter could stop me.

  “What was that?” he asked.

  “Fielders.” Everyone might as well have warning. I took my blade out of my pocket. “I might need to cut my head.” I told him, calmer than I’d been all day.

  “God damn it, kid,” he muttered and hit the accelerator.

  ◆◆◆

  Back on earth, after a long joyride around the sun, I looked around and recognized Doc’s weedy back garden. It was getting near sundown. Stumbling in the general direction of the house, I saw that Peter had brought a chair outside to keep an eye on me. He put out the cigarette in his hand and stood up with a groan.

  “You’re a handful,” he said casually. “I’ve never seen anybody dance like that.”

  “Thanks,” I said, grinning. Touching my face, I could feel more blood than usual. There was a lot on my sweatshirt too. “I should wash up. Doc likes things clean.”

  “I’ll tell him you’re done tripping. He’s waiting for you,” he said, and led the way inside.

  There weren’t any soldiers around anymore. The only sign they’d been there was the dirty boot prints on the wooden floors.

  “Doctor Atul?” Peter called out.

  I heard someone in the living room down the hall, and Doc walked into view. He came towards us, not taking his eyes off me. It was almost scary how intense he looked, but my main thought was that I hadn’t gotten to hug someone, so I held my arms out. He looked surprised, but only hesitated for a second before reaching out and hugging me tight despite the blood that covered my face and chest.

  “I’ll kill that boy,” he said deep in his throat. “I never should have— I’m so sorry, Wally. I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m fine,” I said, honestly feeling good despite knowing I had my broken heart to deal with. “Just a few bruises.”

  Pulling away from him, I felt at my face. My lip was swollen up along with my cheekbone around my eye. I lifted my sweatshirt and looked at the bruise on my stomach, but it wasn’t that bad. Doc seemed to think otherwise.

  “Oh god. God. I shouldn’t have let you leave today.”

  I didn’t like the pain in his eyes. “I’m okay,” I said again, and smiled. “I saw the sun up close. It was the yellowest thing I’ve ever seen, but I loved the heat. There was stuff shooting out of it constantly, like hot lava.”

  He let out a sound that sounded like a half laugh, half cry.

  “Come upstairs,” Doc said, touching my back lightly and leading me towards the stairway that went up to the third floor. “I have a room set up for you.”

  “A room?” I paused a second, but kept going. “I don’t need that.”

  “Yes, you do,” he said firmly.

  Peter headed towards the living room, and Doc and I went up
stairs, past the big iron hatch. I expected there to be a little room somewhere on that floor that he would stash me in for a while, but he kept me going until we were climbing up to the third floor.

  “Are you sure?” I asked. “What’s up here?”

  “My room and a few unused bedrooms. There’s a den, but I haven’t used it in years. You’ll have your own bathroom.”

  He took me down a hall to a pretty big bedroom with a bathroom to the side, not out in the hall. I walked around and explored it a little. Everything looked old, but the kind of old where you know it was expensive furniture when it was first bought. The walls were painted soft green, and it was warm inside. I saw a grate in the floor that was blowing out warm air. It was a nice place. Not royalty nice like Avi’s tower; just normal nice. But for me, normal nice was incredible.

  All my things, besides my clothes, were sitting on a wooden dresser with a big mirror above it. The double bed had a thick green quilt that was begging to be snuggled under, and two fluffy pillows. There was a huge rug under the bed and an armchair in the corner. I went to look out the curtained windows down at the street below.

  “Nando took my money,” I warned Doc. “I don’t know when I can get my own place again.”

  “This is your home now,” he said. “Sit down. We need to talk.”

  My home? I didn’t know if I wanted that.

  “I’m all bloody.” I held my arms out and looked down at myself. I wasn’t sure if I could keep it off his furniture. He went in the bathroom and grabbed a brown towel, then spread it on the bed for me to sit on. He sat in the armchair and leaned onto this elbows, folding his hands in front of him.

  After I sat down, he started talking, his expression still pained and serious.

  “I want us to be straightforward this time, alright?” he said.

  I nodded and smiled a little, just because he was being awfully sweet about everything, not even getting on my case for taking fielders in the car.