Chromeheart

by Alia Hess

  Dusty should be back sometime today from Fortland. I miss her. Sitting in this house by myself has been really boring, and I only got so much porn on my tablet. [laughter] Don’t know if I should tell her that Dewbell kissed me or not. Not like it matters because she is going to be leaving soon and I won’t see her again anyway. God. That is sad thought.

  [sigh] I think I should clean up house now. I left it little bit mess, and can’t just throw dirty dishes under bed like I did in Priyut. Dusty would kill me.

  Sasha turned off his tablet and set it on the wobbly nightstand beside the bed. He pulled at the sheets, straightening them and tucking the edges under the mattress. Dusty never made the bed either, but if he was going to clean the place, he might as well.

  Living with a woman—a woman other than his grandmother—was an interesting experience. He had a hard time training himself to only sleep on one side of the bed, and had accidentally elbowed Dusty’s nose and kneed her in the back several times during their two months of cohabitation.

  And the girl barely had hair, but somehow her barrettes ended up everywhere. He smirked as he wiped crumbs from the nightstand, dodging hair clips and earrings.

  His tablet vibrated. Frowning, he turned it on. An icon of Corvin’s grinning face blinked in the center of the screen. Sasha hesitated, then clicked. A painting on a tall wooden easel appeared. Deep blue waves lapped at a night-clad beach in the oceanscape. He squinted. That was it. There were no body parts floating in the water, no currents of blood mingling with the white foam. Just a strand of beach at low-tide.

  “Hmm.” Sasha nodded in approval and typed, He meant it. He hit send.

  Maybe he’s not finished yet…

  After washing dishes, picking up, and wiping down the counters, the house looked nicer than before Dusty left. Maybe he could even fix that hole in the front wall, instead of just stuffing it with newspaper to keep out the draft. He’d repaired the largest hole shortly after moving in, but lost the motivation to fix the smaller ones. It was worlds away from the accommodations of a First World house, or even the apartments in Hammerlink, but it was theirs. It had a quirky charm and was quite cozy with the fireplace going.

  The front door opened as Sasha stood in the kitchen, drying off a large glass pitcher. Dusty closed it behind her, then dumped her pack on the floor and collapsed into a chair, face pinched.

  “Hey! I missed you!” Sasha set the pitcher down and walked to Dusty. “Give me kiss, sexy baby. You tired?”

  “Yeah.” She kissed Sasha, then sat back and folded her arms. “And I’m not walking with John again.”

  Sasha scowled. “What happened?”

  “He was hitting on me. I told him last time that I wasn’t interested, and that if he liked me that much, he should have done something about it a long time ago. But the message didn’t get through apparently.” She jerked on the laces of her boots and pulled them off.

  “He kiss you again?” Dewbell kissed me.

  “No.” She stood, then carried her boots down the hall to the bedroom. “Wow. It’s clean in here. Didn’t know you knew how to clean.”

  Sasha beamed. “Only for you, baby. You should have seen my surveillance office. It was awful.”

  Dusty smiled, sitting on the bed. She patted the spot next to her and Sasha sat down. “I love you.”

  “I love you too. Now what happened? You need me to kick John’s ass?”

  Dusty snorted. “No offense, but you couldn’t kick anyone’s ass.”

  “Hey, I punched Cal that one time, remember?”

  “Yeah, and Lucky broke it up before Cal could do something to you.” She smirked. “But I don’t need you to do anything. John just upset me, is all.” Her bottom lip pulled up and she looked into her lap. “He kept telling me how pretty I look with more hair, and how he missed me and stuff. He said you weren’t any good for me—couldn’t take care of me because you’re not a real American. Said you didn’t know me like he did. When none of that stuff moved me, he pulled out some stupid presents he bought. I told him I didn’t want them.”

  Sasha slipped an arm around Dusty and shut his eyes. “Then what?”

  “Then he brought out some computer parts. They weren’t good ones like you got for me.”

  He smiled. Take that, John.

  “I guess he thought they were worth something, though. He said—he said I could have them if I traded with him.”

  Sasha involuntarily squeezed Dusty, his other hand balling into a fist.

  Dusty scowled. “I got mad and told him off. He said my relationship with you wouldn’t last because ‘once a whore, always a whore,’ and he loved me despite knowing what I am and what I always would be.”

  Sasha trembled. “That is not love. And that is not who you are anymore.”

  “I know.” She smiled. “I just kept thinking about how you woke me up the other night and started telling me all those wonderful things. How I’m everything to you. How all beautiful things look like dirt compared to me. That’s my favorite. I thought about you, and then I just laughed in John’s face and left. I mean, I’m still mad that he had the gall to do that, but it’s really silly. He doesn’t measure up to you in the slightest.”

  Sasha’s chest filled with pride, but it quickly soured with guilt. He pursed his lips, brows drawn together. “Dewbell kissed me. On mouth.”

  “What?”

  “She’s going to move to Nis with Gentlewave next month. We were talking about missing each other when she leaves. I hugged her, and she kissed me. Said was friend-kiss. But I feel guilty.”

  “Oh. Well… was it, like, a tongue-kiss or something?”

  “No! Just little kiss.”

  Dusty cocked an eyebrow. “Okay. Then don’t feel guilty. Sometimes friends kiss. It’s cool… Just don’t make it a habit.”

  “Can’t. She’s leaving.”

  “That sucks. I liked hanging out with her. Gentlewave too.”

  “Yeah… Maybe we should have party for them, huh? Schastlívogo putí and all that. Might be fun.”

  “Hey, yeah. Good idea. Can you imagine Gentlewave’s surprised face?” She giggled.

  “We could decorate like ocean or something. Seashells. Oh! Corvin send me picture of his new painting. You want to see?”

  “God, no.”

  “It’s not creepy like others. Looks nice.” He reached for his tablet.

  “I don’t want to see anything of Corvin’s.” Dusty rubbed her face. “You’re the only guy I want to think about right now. I’ve had it with the others.”

  Sasha pulled her back onto the bed. “Okay, you lay here and think lots of thoughts about me, yeah?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I’m going to go make us something to eat.”

  “Oh. Yes.” Dusty shut her eyes and smiled. “Food sounds great right now. Sasha and food. What more could a girl want?”

  15 ~ Escorts ~

  “I’m glad we didn’t buying anything for the going-away party yet,” Dusty said as Sasha held the cafe door open for her.

  “You really think they leaving now and that is why they invite us here? Not supposed to go for week still. Maybe they just want to have lunch with us.”

  “Well, I see them in the back, so we’re going to find out.” Dusty pointed past circular tables in the crowded cafe to a booth against the back wall. Dewbell waved. Sasha squeezed around tables and slid into the booth. Dusty sat next to him.

  Gentlewave sipped a drink, his cloak and scarf in a bundle on the seat next to him. He smiled. “Hey. Sorry it’s so noisy in here. I didn’t think it would be this crowded on a Tuesday. We could go somewhere else, but we already ordered.”

  Sasha shrugged. “It’s okay for me. And I’m sure Dewbell don’t mind.”

  Dewbell reached across the table and squeezed Dusty’s hands, smiling, then patted Sasha’s.

  “So are you guys leaving early?” Dusty furrowed her brows. “That’s what this is about, right?”

  “No, we’re still leaving next wee
k. But we have a proposition for you.”

  “What does that mean?” Sasha asked.

  A waitress appeared at the table, setting down baskets of fried foods, finger sandwiches, and glasses of water.

  Dewbell signed to Gentlewave and he scanned the cafe, shrugging. He popped a battered chunk of something in his mouth. “Help yourself. There’s plenty. Anyway, we found someone who wants to go to Nis. Normally that would be way too far for an escort job, but we’re going there anyway, so we figured, why not? Problem is, Dewbell and I aren’t much of a team just by ourselves, so we thought you guys might want in on the job. You wouldn’t need to do too much. Just take turns with watch and stuff like that. And if you want guns, I can get some.”

  Sasha raised his eyebrows. “You want us to come with you? That is long walk from here.”

  “I know. But we thought we’d offer. Figured you might want a change of scenery, and you could see Owl and Trav. Plus, you’d be making quite a bit of money.”

  Dusty put a hand on her chin. “That’s really far. But the West is nice. And meeting Owl and Trav would be cool. I’m game. Keep the group together for a little while longer. Is Lucky coming?”

  “No. He said walking for three months is much too long, and besides, he gets compensation every month from the city for the factory accident he was in. There’s not really a reason for him to leave.”

  Dewbell had her head cocked to one side, looking at Sasha. Dusty’s gaze was on him too.

  Hammerlink isn’t that great, but Dusty’s little house is starting to feel like home. More of a home than I’ve had since Grandma died.

  He shrugged and nodded. “I’m really sick of this plastic smell everywhere. I have big nose. Hurts my sinus.” He turned to Dusty. “I’m going to miss our house, though.”

  “We could always come back. But I’m so used to walking the roads and just going wherever, that leaving Hammerlink isn’t that big of a deal to me.”

  Sasha took a bite of fried meat. “Well, okay then. Let’s do it. Going to need to get more ammo for my drone.”

  “So, who are we escorting, anyway? Another Nisian? Someone you know?” Dusty asked.

  Gentlewave focused on something behind Sasha. “Someone you know.”

  “Hey, kids! Sorry I’m late.” Corvin slid into the booth next to Dewbell, grinning. “Oh! Look at this stuff. I love fried-anything.” He reached into a basket.

  Sasha opened his mouth, but was too stunned to say something.

  “Wait. Him? He’s the person we’re escorting?” Dusty shook her head. “No. Forget it. I’m not going anywhere with him. I don’t care how much he’ll pay.”

  Corvin leaned back, chewing, and propped his arms on the top of the seat. He was wearing a slightly rumpled burnt-orange shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, and his signature bow tie was missing. “I thought you’d say that. And Dusty, I have some great news for you. I’m not a Boss anymore!”

  Dusty scowled and folded her arms.

  “Don’t believe me?” Corvin reached for a sandwich. “I’ve got all the proof you need with me right now. I sold my factories, my boutiques, my house. And all fifty-four orphans are now enrolled in a nice boarding school in the North End. Anya was getting pretty close to the cut-off age for enrollment, but I bribed the owner.”

  Sasha smiled. Maybe that vase-blow to the head had knocked some decency into Corvin.

  The disgust and incredulity washed from Dusty’s face. “Really?”

  Corvin dug into his back pocket and pulled out a wad of folded papers. He slid them across the table. Dusty opened them and leafed through. “You really did.”

  He nodded. “Yeah. See, after that dinner fiasco, I did a lot of thinking. I thought a lot about the stuff you said, Sasha. Being a better person. I think all the money and power here went to my head. So, I’m going to go to Nis! Get more down to Earth; be close to Owl and my nephew. It’ll be nice. And I’m going to walk because it will be like a spiritual journey, y’know?”

  Gentlewave rolled his eyes.

  “That why you paint that new picture of ocean?” Sasha asked. “It’s nice… Is it done?”

  “Oh, yes. And thanks.”

  Dewbell signed and Gentlewave said, “She wants to know what it looks like.”

  “Hey, I got picture on my tablet.” Sasha reached in his pocket.

  “Me too!” Corvin pulled out his own. He leaned in near Dewbell, putting a hand on her arm and tilting the screen. She took the tablet, studied it for a moment, then pulled out the stylus and wrote something. Corvin laughed. He wrote back and Dewbell smiled. Sasha frowned.

  Dusty looked up from the papers. “How much are you going to pay us if we escort you?”

  “Fifty-thousand tins. And you guys can split that up however you want depending on who’s coming.”

  Dusty’s eyes widened. “I’ll do it.”

  “Atta girl!” Corvin grinned. “Sasha?”

  Dusty looked at Sasha expectantly. Gentlewave smiled and mouthed: “yes.” Dewbell’s blue gaze was on Corvin, drifting to the open collar of his shirt, then back up to his face. Sasha’s stomach turned a little and he pursed his lips. “Yeah. Okay. Think it’s good idea to come. Make sure everybody is safe.”

  “Yes! I will feel so much better knowing I’m with you guys.” Corvin reached into a basket.

  Wasn’t talking about you, buddy. You may be trying to be a better person, but I don’t trust that you’re there yet. Took me a long time to consider other people’s feelings before my own, and I still mess up sometimes.

  “You really want to walk, though? If you got that much money, why don’t you just buy motorcycle? Or car? The East got car?” Sasha asked.

  “There are places around here that have motorized vehicles, sure, but everyone knows you don’t drive those out of the East. Might as well just tape a target to your back. Besides, how am I supposed to get back to the roots of who I am if I can’t feel the dirt under my shoes?”

  And who exactly are you trying to get back to being? Hopefully he’s a person who doesn’t wave knives around.

  “I think we need some celebration drinks!” Corvin scanned the busy cafe, then whistled at a waitress, pointing to their table.

  The waitress looked annoyed, and Sasha didn’t blame her. “Yes?”

  “Dear, we need five Golden Apples right away.”

  “We don’t serve alcohol here.”

  Corvin narrowed his gaze. “Then send someone to get some. Go across the street to the bar. Buy a bottle of moonshine from the corner market. See if I care how you get it.” He gave her one of his charming grins. “We simply must have some drinks.”

  The waitress scowled. “Then why don’t you go across the street to the bar yourselves and drink them there?”

  Corvin stood up. “Do you know who I am? I think I’d like to talk to your manager, dear.”

  “Corvin, it’s not a big deal,” Gentlewave said. “Let’s just finish our food and go.”

  “No, no. I’m going to get this sorted out. Don’t you worry.” He followed the waitress through the cafe to the kitchen.

  Dusty sighed and shook her head. “Twelve-thousand tins is a lot of money,” she muttered, as though trying to convince herself.

  Sasha sat back and folded his arms. Maybe this was all a really bad idea.

  “Twelve-thousand, five-hundred,” Gentlewave said. “For you and Sasha together, that’s twenty-five thousand.” He glanced toward the back of the cafe. “I’d say the hassle will be worth it.”

  “You’re right,” Dusty agreed. “That would be enough for rent in Hammerlink for, like, three years.”

  Dewbell also had her neck craned in Corvin’s direction. She slid out of the booth and stood, taking his tablet.

  “Where you going, baby?” Sasha asked, but she wasn’t looking in his direction. She weaved around tables until she reached Corvin. Dewbell tugged on his sleeve, but his attention was on a flustered, rotund woman—probably the manager.

  Sasha leaned back in t
he booth, trying to see past patrons. Now Dewbell had Corvin by the arm and was pulling him away. She held the tablet to his face. Corvin shrugged and nodded and Dewbell wrote something else. He stiffened, looking offended.

  “You should have seen her at dinner the other night.” Gentlewave sounded amused. “Corvin was upset because his steak was overdone, and he wanted to give the cook a piece of his mind in that cheery, I-might-stab-you-to-death voice of his. Dewbell poured him a glass of wine, then took his steak back to the kitchen. She came back with a waiter carrying a new steak and a sampling of fancy desserts.” He laughed. “By the look on Corvin’s face, you’d think he’d died and gone to Heaven. I think Dewbell’s official escort title is going to be, ‘Corvin Handler.’”

  Sasha scowled, picturing Dewbell in a maid’s uniform and a wooden paddle in Corvin’s hand. “I don’t like sound of that.”

  Corvin was nodding complacently at the tablet. He took it from Dewbell and headed back for their table.

  “It’ll be fine. And truth be told, he’s not the fussiest guy we’ve ever escorted. There were these two brothers who—”

  “Sasha!” Corvin exclaimed. “I’m so sorry! It completely slipped my mind that you can’t drink. How incredibly rude of me to even suggest it.” He put a hand on Dewbell’s shoulder. “Good thing you’ve got this lovely lady looking out for you. I think maybe we should just order some dessert instead… This place does have dessert, right?”

  “Yes,” Gentlewave replied.

  Dewbell smiled at Sasha and slid into the booth.

  “Thank you, baby. You are good friend. Friends look out for each other, yeah?” Sasha said.

  “Yes.” Corvin jabbed a finger at Sasha. “I’m so glad I picked you guys to escort me. Not that anyone else would be crazy enough to take me all the way to Nis.” He sat in the booth and stuffed his mouth with another sandwich.

  “How did your mom and dad take the news?” Dusty asked. “They only moved here to be close to you, right?”

  Corvin shook his head, chewing. “I sent for them when I got word that Winter’s army was taking over the Northwest and heading for my hometown. I tried to find Owl too, but she’d already taken off on her own at that point. Wasn’t until a year later that I got any word about where she was. I honestly thought that she may have been dead. Traveling by yourself is a really dumb idea. Thank goodness she found Trav to walk with and not some creep.”