Hidden Hero

by Nix Whittaker

  He finished with the salve and put it away.

  He looked up when Hal called his name. From the way Freya was looking at him he doubted it was the first time the scientist had called his name.

  Hal frowned at him. “You will be fine bringing her on the train? It might be tricky trying to sneak her into the city on the train. We can probably deal with Portland but there is no reason to make it easy for him.”

  Rawiri cleaned his hands off of the salve as he thought. “I know how to get into the city. Can you send Misha down to the train station to cause a bit of a distraction?”

  Hal grinned. “Sure. I have an idea. If you arrive just as the train is about to leave, I think I know of a believable distraction that will give you time to sneak in. See you tomorrow.”

  Hal then flicked off the transmission, leaving a blank screen. Freya looked at him with concern.

  Rawiri hated that. Freya was paralysed and she was looking at him with pity. He shoved his anger down. “You should get some sleep. It is going to be a long day tomorrow.”

  She reached out quickly and caught his hand. Her voice when she spoke was soft, “Rawiri. Please, don’t go.”

  He hesitated. “Freya, maybe you should get some rest. You were badly injured. I’ll just be wearing you out if I stick around. I’ll take you up to your room and you can take a nap.”

  Her hand tightened. “Don’t pull away, Rawiri. Please, not while I’m like this.”

  He stopped. Realising then that she was just putting on a brave face. He sat down next to her and she used him to lever herself so she could turn over. He helped her with her legs.

  She patted his shoulder. “I always hated having others help me. It makes me feel like I really am useless.”

  He gritted his teeth with what he really wanted to say but only said, “You aren’t.”

  He was right to pull away. His anger was still very much a part of him and he was worried that he might hurt her even more.

  She smiled at him. “I know you understand, though.”

  He knew then she was right. He shied away from his thoughts of Tama. He had long ago forgiven himself as he had only been a child and he could not have stopped what had happened to him. He had got revenge and that was all he could have wished for from the situation. Only thinking about that time made him realise how alone he had felt. Even with his brother there, he hadn’t been able to turn to him. It was worse to be alone when there were others around.

  He let out a long breath and murmured, “You are not a victim. You might have been hurt by life or people but that doesn’t mean you have to be a victim. You are strong sweetheart and I know you can weather this.”

  Her hand touched his, a smile very soft on her lips.

  “Feelings though are ridiculous and are far from logical. At the moment I feel like a little girl. But I can count on you as you know what it is like to be at the mercy of others.”

  He must have shown something on his face as she quickly added, “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Please, don’t leave me.”

  He caught her hand on his. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.”

  Only if she didn’t leave him. He was sure of one thing. He wasn’t going to leave her. He had thought pulling away would save him when she left. He couldn’t do that to her though. He would take the punishment for her.

  He leaned down and scooped her up into her arms and he put some lightness into his voice. “Come along, sweetheart. Let’s go to your bedroom.”

  ___

  Freya had her arms lightly around Rawiri’s neck. She traced her fingertips through the hair at the nape of his neck. He was staring ahead and she wondered what he was thinking. She had convinced him to stay with her earlier. She wondered if he really stayed because he pitied her or because he cared for her.

  She knew she wanted it all to mean more but she had learned the hard way dreams didn’t always come true.

  He pushed open the door of her room and angled her in so her legs didn’t bang against the door frame. She was pleased he took the effort. She had been carried around enough by nurses to know that the ones that bothered were the ones that bothered with other little things.

  He moved the bedding back awkwardly as he held her against his chest. He laid her down and turned to leave.

  She caught his hand. “Will you stay?”

  He hesitated and then asked, “Are you able to…”

  She chuckled. “Not for that. No, can you just stay. I feel vulnerable when I’m like this. I just—well, can you stay?”

  He nodded but she didn’t miss the blush on his cheeks. He stripped off his boots and his leather jacket. He placed the boots together and tucked them under the bed and hung up the jacket.

  She smiled at the automatic movements. “You have been trained well.”

  He stopped for a moment and glanced over at her then finished putting away his things. He tucked himself in beside her. Arranging her limbs so they were comfortable.

  She wondered if she had offended him. It always seemed when they spoke, they walked into land mines.

  His voice spoke into the darkness once he turned out the light. “I had a foster mother who was super strict and then when I went into the police academy, it kind of got set in stone to put away my things before bed.”

  She shifted and settled in closer to him. He shifted as well and slipped his arms around her.

  She asked as they got comfortable, “What was she like?”

  His voice was filled with amusement as he answered, “A shrew. Her own son had died in the war and she always compared me to him. Of course I never measured up. She kept me the longest though. I thought it was because she didn’t want to admit defeat but thinking back, I actually think she liked me. Not that she showed it much. What are your parents like?”

  Freya snorted. Her eyes growing heavy. She liked this. She liked being close to him. Talking about themselves.

  Her voice was sleepy as she answered, “Just parents. They had their flaws but they loved me so it really didn’t matter in the end.”

  His hand moved brushing her hair away from her cheek. “No, I suppose it doesn’t. Sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.”

  She shook her head. She didn’t want to waste time sleeping. She rubbed her face into his skin. “Is it because of the man that hurt you that you went into the police force?”

  She wondered if he had fallen asleep or if she had offended him when he took a long time to answer. She knew it was fear though when he let out a long breath first. “Tama was the leader of our group. We all thought he was our saviour. I don’t think any of us suspected what he was or what he was doing. It took me a long time to realise what he did to us.”

  Rawiri paused and his hands moved over her skin. She was glad he kept it above her waist so she could feel it.

  His voice was calmer now as he spoke with the distance of time. “He always put the adults in really risky situations. It didn’t take long for our group to be whittled down to teenagers and children. When I left there were only four adults left. And they were either cruel or simple. I don’t think they knew what he was doing to the children.”

  She squeezed his hand on her stomach. She could not imagine what it had been like to live out in the Wildlands when the person who was supposed to keep you safe was the predator.

  Rawiri took a breath and nuzzled her hair. “I doubt I was the first boy. I’m not sure who else but he told me it was a gift he was bestowing on me. I was special and that I couldn’t tell any of the others. He threatened my brother, said that he would end up just like the other adults. I can’t believe how naïve I was then.”

  Freya hissed. “Children should be innocent, it doesn’t mean you were naïve.” He moved the hair away from her neck and kissed the back of her neck.

  When he spoke, his voice was soft and calm, “I know, my fierce doctor. I know. Now sleep, we have a long day tomorrow.”

  He would as he would have to carry her a long distance to sneak up on
to the Weather Shield without being seen. So this time she listened and closed her eyes. She pulled his arms tighter around her as she let sleep take her.

  ___

  Natasha put the sandwich down on the table next to the bed. It was early still so it would do for breakfast.

  She asked, “Anything else you need?”

  Freya shook her head then hesitated as she rethought her position. “There is something. Everything is a bit in the air at the moment and I was hoping you could look after the kitten.”

  Natasha’s eyes warmed. “Taken by her, are you? Have you decided what you are going to call it?”

  The kitten they were talking about had curled up on Freya’s feet. Freya wished for a moment that she could feel the weight of it on her. Soon she would have her legs back.

  Freya hadn’t wanted to reveal to Rawiri how worried she was. She didn’t worry that she would be stuck like this as she knew Hal was good. No, it had been the fact that Rawiri now knew she wasn’t perfect. She knew she was being an idiot. He already knew some of her flaws. Surely her injury wouldn’t push him away. Even the thought pierced her heart and made her struggle to catch her breath.

  She reached down and stroked the kitten’s ears. “I think I’ll call her Plato. She is always in deep thought.”

  Natasha laughed. “Yeah, she sure is. Don’t worry, I’ll look after her and bring her to the city once everything is settled.”

  Natasha hesitated then asked, “You into Rawiri?”

  Freya wrinkled her nose at the tactless question. “He is a good guy and you have to admit he is good to have around when you have a corrupt politician trying to kill you.”

  Natasha laughed though it really wasn’t funny.

  ___

  Natasha waved at them as she drove away, kicking up dust and grit. They were still a distance from the city but if they had driven any closer, the city guards would have seen the dust cloud.

  Rawiri shifted Freya in his arms. “Are you going to be alright carrying me all the way to the city?”

  He smiled. “I once walked to the city in the middle of a blizzard. With these atramento, carrying you is easy.”

  He glanced down at her. His eyes were warm.

  She tightened her arms around his neck. “You know, Rawiri, I think I really like being around you.”

  The warmth in his eyes turned to something hotter. “I hope it is more than just hanging out that you want from me.”

  She pressed her head to his chest. “Not yet.”

  His voice sounded strange, “I’m sorry, Freya, I didn’t mean that. Not when you are like this.”

  She looked up. “You don’t have to pity me, Rawiri. I’m not less because of my injury. Without this injury I would never have met Hal and I would never have met the Nasser’s. I am who I am today because of what has happened to me.”

  She lightly touched his cheek. “Just like you. Your past has made you who are now and I just want you to know that I think you are awesome just as you are.”

  His eyes turned dark. “I was worried bringing you out here that you would finally see all the darkness that is in my life. I was worried that you would leave me.”

  She frowned. “Is that why you have been prickly?” He shrugged.

  She rested her head on his shoulder. “I was worried you would see what a cripple I am like this and realise you could do better with someone else.”

  He growled. “You are a wonderful woman and even if you didn’t have a Bioware chip to help you use your legs, I would still think you were wonderful.”

  His voice went soft as he looked down at her. “Freya, you see who I really am. Even past the façades I put on for others. I can’t tell you how important that is to me.”

  She smiled softly at his words. They weren’t quite words of love but she realised that for now they were good enough. Because she was honest with herself in that she wasn’t completely sure of her own emotions. For the moment she would go along. See how long she could keep his interest.

  Freya stilled as she realised that no matter what happened it wouldn’t be her that walked away from him.

  Rawiri asked, “You alright?”

  He must have felt her stiffen. She shook her head against his shoulder. “Yeah, everything is just right.”

  Chapter Ten

  Whatinga: April, 2088

  When they reached the edge of the City, the distraction Hal had planned was obvious. There was a clump of agitated station workers and curious on lookers. Misha was complaining loudly about the way his goods were being loaded onto the train. He was swearing in Russian and waving his arms. Several train crew were trying to calm him down.

  He grabbed one of the station workers by the front of their shirt and lifted the man and continued to yell at him.

  Rawiri waited for when the security guards moved to try to deal with him as well. With Misha waving the station crew around it didn’t take long.

  Rawiri hopped onto the platform and ran for the shadows that surrounded the station building. He pressed his back to the wall and hoped no one saw them in the shadows.

  He almost jumped out of his skin when Hal said at his elbow, “I see that speed atramento works a treat. Hey, Freya.”

  Freya obviously had seen her as she grinned at the small woman with no surprise.

  Hal motioned her head towards the city. “Let’s head out. I don’t know if Misha has any more acting up his sleeve though it is clear he is enjoying himself.”

  Freya spoke as they headed away from the Weather Shield and the train platform.

  “Did you manage to make the chip?”

  It was clear what Freya was concerned about at that moment and he didn’t blame her.

  Hal flashed her a grin. “Yip and I added in some new features that I have been thinking about for a while. I kind of like being able to work my craft after so long. I hadn’t even thought of putting atramento into the Bioware. The possibilities are endless.”

  Hal glanced over her shoulder. “Did you figure anything out from the canister?”

  Freya shook her head. “Not yet, but I had a thought. We should talk to Isabella about the lab in the Wildlands. It seems it has been there for a while and only recently abandoned. She might have been in on the deal when they first started up with Mana. Also, she might know something about the canister. The things inside it look like they have been stored for a while.”

  Rawiri grumbled and they both turned to look at him when he made the animalistic sound. He huffed out some air. “We should first get Freya settled before we talk about going into a maximum-security prison to talk a dangerous drug dealer.”

  Hal patted him on his shoulder. “You shouldn’t worry so much. We will get Freya back on her feet in no time and we can deal with Portland all together. Including his pet drug dealer.”

  ___

  The room was white but it had a warm feeling to it. It reminded Freya of Hal. She might seem like something on the outside and she sure was very prickly but there was a sense that if you got to know her better, there was more to her and it was warm.

  That was what the clinic was like. It was spotless for the procedures but there was a sense of warmth to the place. Maybe because it was in an old sandwich shop.

  Freya lay on her stomach and had her arms tucked under her chin. She could feel the twitching of feeling as it all came back. An old friend she was eager to reunite with.

  Hal worked in silence and Freya let her as it was a comfortable silence. She should have sort out Hal when she had first heard she was still alive. She had been one of the few friends she had as a child. Both of them had been in similar fields and both brilliant for their age. But Freya had been afraid that Portland would go after Hal or any of her friends if she had changed her habits. It had been better to isolate herself and that way she knew Portland wouldn’t think she was trying to get help from anyone else.

  Feeling returned to her legs in a rush of sharp tingles. Hal must have attached the Bioware to the interface that ra
n up her spine. Freya didn’t need to see what Hal was doing. She was familiar enough with Bioware to track her movements from the feedback she got from the chip itself.

  Freya knew more about Bioware now than she did when she was a little girl. Hal still impressed her though. Hal’s Bioware was a work of art compared to what else was available.

  They were lucky that the interface hadn’t been damaged. It was mostly bio material anyway and wouldn’t have been affected by the EMP that had accompanied the explosion.

  Rawiri had told her that the EMP booster that had been attached to the explosive was probably a found item as there was still ammunition hiding in the Wildlands from when there had been heavy fighting in the area.

  Hal came around so she could see her and peeled off her gloves.

  Her voice showed a little of her exhaustion. “Well, that is the biggest part done. How are you feeling?”

  Surprisingly good, Freya thought. “Are you talking about the chip or something else?”

  Hal smiled. “He is cute, isn’t he?”

  Freya rolled her eyes; she had been wondering when Hal would bring it up. She had decided she would rather get this conversation out of the way than wait for Hal to sneak it in at an inconvenient time.

  Freya smiled softly to herself as she thought of Rawiri. “Yeah, I suppose he is but he is also dangerous.”

  Hal snorted at her answer. Hal tapped her temple. “I would tell you if he was dangerous. Screwed up but not dangerous.”

  Her eyes narrowed as she looked at her friend and doctor. “What do you mean screwed up?”

  Freya wondered if Rawiri had told her about what had happened to him when he was a kid.

  Hal shrugged. “I can’t give you specifics but there was a part of himself that was attacking the rest of him. Mmm, that sounds wrong. There was a part of himself he hadn’t accepted I suppose. The EM fields around his body used to look like a storm. Not so bad anymore but he will always have some hang-ups. You not going to ditch him because of that as I can tell you we all have our problems.”