by Alia Hess
Dusty smiled up at Sasha. “This is really nice, huh?”
He stopped, staring through the boardwalk slats at the garbage below.
“What’s wrong?”
“I killed Mikhail’s family. I killed everybody.” He sank onto the boardwalk, leaning against a wooden pillar.
Dusty sat next to him. “But you tried to stop it.”
“Wasn’t enough.” Sasha wiped his swollen eyes and let out a hitching sigh, breathing in the ocean mist.
She took his head in her hands and pressed his face to her chest, stroking his hair. He wept against her and muttered, “I couldn’t save anybody.”
Dusty kissed his head. “That’s not true. You saved me. If I hadn’t met you, I’d still be out doing trades; I never would have changed. I know I’m only one person, and saving my life doesn’t make up for the world being dead, but your help means everything to me. Your patience for me… your love.” She let out a tiny sob and Sasha looked up.
Her big eyes searched his and he wiped a tear from her eye. She said, “You saved Corvin too—I know he would agree. And all those kids he owned are now being taken care of in a school. That wouldn’t have happened without you. You saved more people than you realize. And maybe the lives of one prostitute and one Boss and a handful of orphans don’t matter that much in the grand scheme of things—”
“Don’t say that. Of course they do. Nobody’s life worth less than someone else.”
“You see?”
Sasha scraped grains of sand out of the crease in the hem of his pant leg. He wasn’t sure making a difference in the lives of a handful of people made up for failing to save the rest of the world, but Dusty’s life was just as valid as anyone else’s, and the love in her face was plain to see.
She said, “I don’t know if any of that helps at all, but—”
“It does.” He put an arm around her. “I feel bit better now. Thank you… The ocean is pretty, yeah?”
“Yes.”
“You scared to take boat?”
“A little. Doesn’t scare me as much as bridges for some reason. You might need to hold my hand, though. Whenever I feel scared or upset and you take my hand, I always feel a little bit better.”
Sasha’s mouth pulled tight. “Right now, you hold my hand then?”
Dusty slipped her small hand into his and he shut his eyes, the ocean’s rhythmic breath rolling in his ears. He squeezed her hand tight.
“Don’t let go, baby.”
“I won’t.”
20 ~ Mine ~
Riding on a boat turned out to be much scarier than walking across a bridge, and Dusty had spent the ride clinging to Sasha and muttering random Russian phrases. Her arms hung around his neck, eyes squeezed shut and face pressed into his chest.
Their small vessel, decorated in peeling green paint, barely fit Sasha’s party and the boatman, but the ride was quicker and cheaper than taking one of the “commercial” ships.
The beach sloped up to an embankment crowded with tall blue-green sea grasses and driftwood. Bulbous trees with white papery bark and waxy green leaves rose into the bright blue expanse, and a cloud-shrouded volcano jutted up in the distance.
Sasha whispered in Dusty’s ear. “It’s beautiful, baby.”
Dusty peeked at the beach, a red indentation from Sasha’s coat zipper running down her cheek. He smiled and rubbed at it.
Dusty pushed away from Sasha, climbing off the boat and flopping back into the sand. She let out a deep sigh. “I hope we like it here because I’m never getting on another boat again.”
Sasha chuckled, following the others off the boat. He touched his nose gingerly and turned to face the ocean. No more Priyut, or shopping cart rides, or orphan-selling Hammerlink—only this little island, his friends, and his future wife.
When he first arrived in America, the strangeness, excitement, and fear had overwhelmed him. His American had been quite poor, empty rolling hills stretched for kilometers in either direction of the facility—a far cry from the crowded streets of Moskva—and there was a twenty-five percent chance the vaccine would fail and he would succumb to the virus. However, there had been nothing left for him in Russia, and he never regretted the decision, weak heart and all.
The Mainland held nothing for him now. He sucked in a deep breath of salty air as small crabs scuttled across the sand. This was like stepping right into one of those cliché computer screensavers—the kind depressed telemarketers had on their cubicle monitors but would never vacation to. Was this where he belonged, not just to vacation but start a new life? And would Dusty feel the same?
He pulled her out of the sand, nerves constricting his stomach. “Okay, guys. I know where Owl and Trav live. I watched this island—and their house—many times with drone.”
Dusty snorted. “Stalker.”
“Hey, was my job. I was taking pictures.”
“Stalker.”
Corvin clapped Sasha on the shoulder. “Lead the way. I’m ready to see my sister.”
Gentlewave marched ahead, holding Dewbell’s hand with a smile on his face. They followed him up the embankment and into the trees.
A chilly breeze blew off the ocean, but warm blobs of sunlight pierced through the tree canopy, dancing on their hair and the brown cobblestone path. Dusty took Sasha’s hand, smiling nervously. Corvin strolled on his other side, hands clasped behind his back and a grin on his face.
Before long, the trees thinned, replaced by round clay houses coated in a sparkly gray-white glaze. Many roofs corkscrewed like seashell spirals, and round glass windows in various colors were embedded into the walls.
“Wow, these houses are neat. They don’t look anything like what’s on the Mainland.” Dusty ran her hand along the bumpy exterior. “And look, some of these have designs molded right into the walls. How do you think they did that?”
“It’s cobb. Made from clay and pulverized reeds.” Gentlewave touched the wall, smiling. “A lot of people like to accent their houses with different designs. Simple ones aren’t too hard to make.”
Corvin tilted his head at a large fish relief painted blue and gray. “I’ve never been much of a sculptor, but that looks like fun.” His gaze flicked to a laundry line hanging in the yard beside the house. “Ooh! Look at these clothes!”
He leaned over the wooden fence and plucked an emerald-green tunic from the line, rubbing the material between his fingers. “It’s so soft. I had the hardest time in Hammerlink creating a soft, fine weave from plastic. Feel this.” He held the shirt out to Sasha. “Can you imagine how nice your underwear and socks would feel made of this stuff? Gentlewave, I simply must know what this is made from.”
“Moon tree bark.” He took the shirt from Corvin and hung it back over the line.
“Can I buy it here?”
He shrugged. “Sure. In the market.”
Corvin grinned and popped a piece of gum in his mouth. “I know where I’m going today.”
They continued down the path, people bustling past them and working outside their homes. A man walked by carrying an armful of trawling nets. He stopped mid-stride, looking over Sasha’s group.
“Hello there! It’s… so wonderful for you that you are here. Which one of you is Owl’s brother?”
“That would be me!” Corvin proffered his hand. “Knew we were coming, huh?”
The Islander’s grin matched Corvin’s in both size and suspect authenticity. He shook his hand. “Of course! Word travels fast around here. You know, we were all pretty unsure about having a Mainlander live here, but Owl is great. She’s helped us out plenty. And Trav…” The man’s eyelid twitched. “It’s just wonderful. A lot of interesting things happened since he came back. The island isn’t at all the same as it used to be. Will you all be living here too?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s”—he nodded vigorously—“great for you. I’m sure you’ll love it.” His gaze shifted to Gentlewave. “Oh, um… I’m sorry. I don’t remember you.”
>
“Gentlewave. I’ve been away from Nis for many years.”
“Ah. Well, I’m Brokenshell. Do you need directions to Owl and Trav’s house?”
Sasha shook his head. “No. I know where they live.”
Brokenshell grimaced as he glanced at Sasha’s face, then his smile returned. “Wow, the Mainland is rough, huh? Tough break. If you need to see the doctor, he lives by the market.”
Sasha’s nose throbbed at the reminder of his injuries and he rubbed at his stitched lip with his tongue. “I’m okay. Thanks.”
“Okay, brother. Get better. I’m certain I will see you all around!” Brokenshell waved and trotted up the path, hefting his fishing nets.
Gentlewave glanced at them. “I don’t think he was too happy to see us, but that still went better than I expected. Just so you guys know, everyone here is really polite, and they’ll smile to your face even if they’re angry.”
Sasha laughed. “Oh, so Corvin going to fit in great here.”
Corvin chewed his gum and straightened his bow tie. “I feel like a native already.”
People on the path waved, stared, and smiled as they headed through town, passing overhanging palm tree fronds and boats mid-repair. Dewbell ran her hand along a tree trunk, smiling. She let go of Gentlewave’s hand in lieu of Corvin’s, then signed to him.
Corvin frowned. “I didn’t catch one of those signs.”
“Decorate?” Gentlewave said.
“Ah. Yes, I’m quite sure I will find plenty of things here to decorate with.”
A small girl in French braids skipped up to their group, cocking her head at Dusty.
“Did you just get back from a naming quest?”
Dusty raised her eyebrows. “What? No. Mainlanders don’t have naming quests.”
“Then why is your head shaved?”
“Makes me look tough.”
The girl shook her head. “Makes you look like you just had your naming ceremony. Plus, Mainlanders are already tough. Even her.” She pointed at Dewbell. “And she has real pretty yellow hair.”
Dewbell smiled.
A middle-aged woman in a dress and pearl jewelry took the girl’s hand. “Sorry. She’s nosy and—” Her eyes widened. “Gentlewave?”
“Lacewing…” Gentlewave’s face contorted, a smile struggling through his quivering lips. He threw his arms around her and she hugged him back, laughing. “I missed you so much.” He looked at their group. “This is Lacewing. She was my neighbor growing up and we played together every day. She’s like my sister.”
Lacewing smiled. “Hello.” She turned back to Gentlewave. “I can’t believe you’re here! I thought I’d never see you again.”
“I’m here. Here to stay.” He gave Dewbell a squeeze. “This is Dewbell. She’s like my other sister.”
The women shook hands. Corvin scuffed his feet, fiddling with a button on his shirt.
Gentlewave paused. “You guys are anxious to see Owl and Trav. Go on ahead. I’ll catch up with you soon.”
Corvin, Dusty, and Dewbell followed Sasha between a row of houses and along a vacant path. A small gurgling stream teeming with tiny silver fish flowed nearby, flanked by more white-trunked trees. Sasha faltered, smiling and shaking his head. Standing here in person, instead of sitting in his surveillance room and watching through the drone feed, was very strange. He walked a little faster, nearing a house with a colorful and intricate whale mural and a large chicken coop out back.
He knocked on the door. It swung open and Owl’s smiling face shifted to horror. “Sasha? Oh my god! What happened? Please don’t tell me a woman did that to you.”
Sasha chuckled. “No. It’s okay. It is good to see you, baby.”
“I’ve wanted to give you one of these for a while now, but now I need to give you double.” Owl flipped her long brown braid over one shoulder and pulled him into a hug. He shut his eyes and squeezed her back, thinking of the day they met three years previous—the only day he’d spoken to her and Trav in person. He’d driven them to Lindsey, arguing with Irina most of the way, then gotten drunk and said something lewd and offensive, resulting in Trav socking him in the eye and Irina refusing to talk to him for several weeks. It was a wonder this woman even wanted to touch him, but he didn’t feel like the same person anymore.
She pulled back and smiled, then her gaze went to Corvin and her grin grew bigger, eyes brimming with tears. Corvin beamed and threw his arms around her, hauling her off her feet and laughing.
“I missed you so much! I’m a horrible big brother for not staying in contact with you for years. I’m sorry. I’m going to make it up to you, though. I’m going to spend so much time with you that you get sick of me and kick me off the island.”
Owl buried her face in his shoulder. “I missed you too. You don’t even know.” She pulled back and gave him a once-over. “You look great. And such a snazzy dresser. You and Sasha are really going to stand out here.” She turned to Dusty and Dewbell. “Hey, girls! It’s great to finally see you in person.”
Trav entered the living room, pale brows raised and a small smile on his face. “I was wondering what all the commotion was.” He frowned at Sasha. “God, man, what happened to you?”
Sasha shrugged. “I got my ass kicked. Corvin saved me.”
“Ouch.” He shook Sasha’s hand, then Corvin’s, and gave the women a hug. “Where’s Gentlewave?”
Dusty plopped into a chair at a rustic dining table and ran her finger along the matte black metal of the drone sitting there. “He’s catching up with a friend. Said he would be over soon.”
Sasha nudged Dewbell. “What you think, baby? Think you’ll like it here?”
She grinned and nodded. Corvin put an arm around her and sighed satisfactorily. “So, will we be camping out in your garden with the chickens? I’m assuming there isn’t an inn here.”
Trav laughed. “No, no. Actually, Quietbird has some houses reserved for you guys down by the market. They’re pretty small. They were Nis’ attempt at building a collective, but they didn’t go over very well with the people here. Too ‘Mainland.’ But they ought to get you by until you can build your own houses. And I and my cousins can help with that.”
“Sounds great for now. Where’s my fat little nephew?”
Owl laughed. “He’s taking a nap. You’ll have plenty of time to play with him in a bit.”
Sasha rubbed Dusty’s head, then picked up the drone from the table.
What am I going to do with Irina now? I don’t really have use for a drone anymore. Where would I fly it? Who would I talk to? He frowned. I could send it back to the Mainland and take care of one piece of unfinished business… But I think I’ll let my face heal first.
“You look a lot better today.” Dusty stared at Sasha, her hand on her silver heart necklace and her long pink dress fluttering in the breeze.
He touched the cut on the bridge of his nose. “Still pretty sore on inside, though.”
“I bet. But it’s only been a week. How’s your lip?”
Sasha smirked. “Hurts real bad. Think you need to kiss it better.”
She laughed and kissed his lip. “How’s that?”
“Still hurts. Do it again.”
She kissed him a little harder, then took his hand and pulled him down the path toward the market. Bunches of red flowers ran along the sides of the path and yellow-green bushes with lacy fronds sprouted between. The savory aroma of grilled meat wafted on the cool air.
“So… apartment is not bad, yeah?” Sasha said. “And everybody been nice so far. Is beautiful island, and all our friends are here. I think I like it. Do you?”
She stopped and plucked a flower, twirling it between her fingers. “Yeah. I mean, look at this. Flowers growing in January. Hammerlink never got cold enough to snow in the city, but it’s much nicer here. So pretty. And I love the clothing.”
“Yeah, you and Corvin both.” He frowned. “I guess what I want to know is do you want to stay here? I know you get tired of me
asking what you want for happy life, but if we build house here and be together will it be enough? Or you think something will still be missing?”
Dusty stared at the flower, then looked up and smiled. “I’ve been thinking about it, and I think that being Mrs. Roborovskiy—”
“Hey! You said it right. You been practicing?”
A pink flush bloomed in her cheeks. “Shut up.”
He slid his arms around her and gave her a roguish grin, wiggling his eyebrows. “You like to say my name? When nobody around, you whisper it to yourself? Aleksandr Roborovskiy. Aleksandr Roborovskiy.”
Her face grew bright red and she scowled. “Stop it.”
“I’m only teasing you. But if you really do that… well, that is adorable. Say it again.”
Dusty pouted and looked away.
“I’m sorry. Not trying to embarrass you. But that is really cute.” He ran a hand down the back of her fuzzy head. “Anyway, what were you saying?”
“I was saying that I think being”—she tried to hide a smile—“Mrs. Roborovskiy will be all I need to be happy. I never thought anyone would want to marry me. I’ve…” She looked at her feet. “I’ve been with a lot of guys, and there are even more who wanted to be with me…”
Sasha grimaced, and an image of John with pink lipstick smeared across his lips entered his mind.
“But I know now that I’m more than just some guy’s good time. I actually mean something to you.”
Sasha stroked her cheek and kissed her lips gently. “I been trying to tell you that for longest time. Sometimes I think you still don’t believe it, but it’s true. You mean everything to me and I want to be with you forever.”
She gazed into his eyes. “That is more than enough for me. So yes, let’s build a house here. …But you have to pick up your dirty clothes. I got real tired of them all over the floor in our house in Hammerlink. I’m not your mom.”
Sasha shirked. “Okay. Okay. I was not used to living with woman. Still going to take some practice because I am big slob. You just tell me what to do.” He grinned. “Or we can buy Dusty Island. There would be enough room for me to throw clothes all over and you would not see.”