by A N Martin
“What happened?” he asked. “Was it an attack?”
“Attack?” Dominaze looked at him puzzled.
His skin was covered in speckles of gray swirls and though his face looked young, his long wispy hair was plagued with gray and white streaks.
“No. It’s my brother. He’s hurt.” Dominaze’s throat scratched.
Someone placed a cup of water in her hand and she guzzled it until the last drop was gone. More Prints gathered around.
“Where’s your brother?” the young man asked.
“He’s in a shallow cave by the Salt Flats.” She pointed to where she had come from.
“Salt Flats?” He wrinkled his nose. “You mean the Dead Zone?”
“Sure.” Dominaze nodded. “He’s been stung. I can take you to him.” Her feet stumbled forward, unable to carry herself further.
“You can’t even walk.” The young man sat her down on a creaky bench. “Listen to me. My name is Kirtike Dunn and I’m going to take a search party to find your brother. What’s his name?”
“Hemrick Pierce.” Dominaze froze.
Maybe she shouldn’t have said his name. If the Elect had made known their identities, she could have just given them away. She waited to see if Kurtike showed any sign of knowing who she was, but he never did.
“Can you describe where you left him?” He looked into her eyes.
“It’s a shallow cave with the sun to its back. I could see the fire’s smoke from it.” Dominaze pointed to the smoke rising into the sky. “I stacked rocks as I came to mark the way back. He’s been stung. A lot.”
Kurtike stood and immediately gathered a group to go with him.
A dark, boney woman placed her hand on Dominaze and gently rubbed her back with the other. As Dominaze studied her hand, she couldn’t help but notice how plain it appeared. It had no markings. Looking up, she only then realized Kurtike was the only one with markings on his skin. Everyone else looked like the Humans from The Keep. They were Manicks. Most of the Manicks bustled busily around her and Kurtike, but a frail old woman watched the commotion from a distance. Her face was overwhelmed with wrinkles and her long hair was as white as snow. She smiled softly at Dominaze before gesturing a man to come to her. The woman whispered something to him and the man headed off in another direction. She then turned and hobbled away.
Dominaze held her breath. Maybe the old woman did know who she was.
“Come, dear.” The thin woman stroking Dominaze’s back helped her to her feet. She had a beautiful thick accent. “They’ll find your brother. Let’s get you fed and cleaned up.”
Dominaze’s stomached grumbled loudly at the thought of something to eat, but she was so nervous for Hemrick—and whether the old woman knew who she was—that she wasn’t sure eating would be possible.
It was a slow walk. Dominaze’s blistered feet stung with every step. Running wasn’t something her body was used to doing and lately she was doing it a lot, and on an empty stomach.
“I’m Myze Greenknot.” The woman patted her hand. “You are safe here.”
“Where am I?” Dominaze looked around.
Small fenced-off cabins were crammed together on both sides of the dirt road. Each had a garden and sitting area out front. In the center of the small town was a circular green area and at its center a large fire burned inside a gravel pit. At the far end of the road, a larger cabin rose higher than the rest. Manicks waved as they ran past, busily going about their day.
“This is Caba, an area reserved for residential Manicks.” Myze sat Dominaze down by the fire. “I’ll bring you breakfast.”
The smell coming from the fire was mouthwatering. Dominaze thought for sure she recognized the sweet aroma of sausages. Myze was quick to return with a full plate, but as she sat it on Dominaze’s lap, Dominaze couldn’t help but just stare at it; she wasn’t sure what any of it was. There was a green leafy plant with the root still attached, a red flower, and a white smoking piece of meat.
Myze laughed at her expression. “You can eat it.” She pushed the plate toward her.
Dominaze’s stomach gave another grumble. She picked up the meat with her fingers and bit off a chunk. The second it hit her taste buds, she couldn’t stop eating. It wasn’t that different from chicken. Before she knew it, she’d eaten everything off the plate. The red flower was sweet and the green plant had juicy roots. It wasn’t enough to fill her, but she didn’t dare ask for more.
“Great.” Myze took her plate and helped her to her feet. “What’s your name?”
Dominaze froze, not sure of what to say. At the same time she didn’t want to lie to her. Myze looked at her when she didn’t answer right away. Looking away, Dominaze pretended not to hear her.
“What’s your name, dear?” she repeated.
“Oh. A… It’s Dom…i,” she stuttered.
“Dommi?”
“Yes.” Dominaze nodded, trying to avoid eye contact.
“Well, come Dommi.” Myze led her forward. “Let’s get you cleaned off.”
Dominaze’s heart raced and the food in her stomach threatened to come back up. She knew she couldn’t stay here long. Not before someone realized who she was. As soon as Hemrick was better, she would have to leave. Myze helped her to the larger cabin at the end of the street and into a small room. On a small corner table was a stack of old cloths. Beneath them sat three buckets. Only two of the buckets were filled with water. Dominaze looked at Myze, unsure of what she was supposed to do.
“This one is soapy water. This one is rinse water and this is for the cloths when you’re done.” She pointed to each one.
Dominaze smiled, hoping she didn’t look as uncomfortable as she felt.
“I’ll find you a change of clothes, until yours can be washed.” She left Dominaze alone.
Staring wide-eyed at the cloths and buckets, Dominaze reluctantly undressed and dipped a cloth into the first bucket. The water was freezing. Goosebumps covered every inch of her body the second the water touched her skin. It was impossible to keep from shivering. Her teeth chattered so loudly, she was sure anyone standing outside the door would hear. Washing as quickly as she could, Dominaze scrubbed until she could only smell the scent of the soapy water. Wringing out her thick hair, she did her best to comb through it with her fingers. Finally done, she stood up and for the first time noticed a small round mirror on the back wall. Stepping closer, she looked at herself. The black markings were gone, her hair was brown again and her eyes a sweet caramel color. She touched her cheek where the black stripes would return as soon as she replaced her strip. Turning around, Dominaze looked at the back of her shoulder. The slit was empty and again the urge to put her strip back was overwhelming. At the same time, she couldn’t help wonder what it would be like if she didn’t.
There was a knock on the door and it cracked open. A dark boney hand full of clothes slipped in.
“Make do with these, dear.” Myze wiggled the clothes.
Taking them, Dominaze slipped the extra-large shirt over her head. It soaked up the moisture from her hair and stuck to her skin. Doing her best to secure the saggy shorts with the rope Myze provided, they still threatened to fall off. Dominaze tucked the shirt in to help hold them up. Myze poked her head in. In her hand was a pair of shoes.
“I had to guess on the size.” She smiled at Dominaze’s blistered feet and then pulled out a pair of socks from behind her back. “Ta-da.”
Dominaze had to smile at her pathetic attempt at a magic trick.
“Thank you.” She took them.
“Put them on quickly. They found your brother. I will take you to him.”
Myze didn’t have to say more. Dominaze slipped the socks and shoes on in record time and was ready to go.
“Come.” She linked her arm with Dominaze and took her outside and around to another part of the same building. “This is the sickbay. It’s kept separate from all other facilities.”
There was a
struggle coming from one of the doors and Dominaze could hear Hemrick’s voice.
“Oh, he’s awake.” Myze motioned Dominaze forward.
As she hurried through the door, Dominaze could see that Hemrick was thrashing wildly against the Manicks who held him down. Harsh winds billowed around the room.
“Get off me! What did you do with her?” Hemrick pulled and pushed at everyone.
Running through the wind, Dominaze forced herself into his line of site.
“Hemrick, stop!” she yelled. “I’m right here. I’m okay.”
She climbed onto the bed and forced him to look at her. He thrashed at her before realizing who she was. Looking at her, his eyes narrowed and the winds didn’t stop. He yanked his arms free of the Manicks and grabbed her.
“Her strip. What did you do with it?” he yelled at them. “She wasn’t a threat to you!”
“Shut up.” Dominaze covered his mouth and glared at him. “They didn’t take it,” she hissed.
Hemrick stopped struggling and looked at her, trying to understand. The winds settled to a breeze as he relaxed. A warm hand touched the skin on her shoulder. Hemrick’s struggle had pulled her oversized shirt off her shoulder, revealing her empty slit.
“What happened to you?” Kurtike’s voice was full of concern.
Dominaze glared furiously at Hemrick before turning to answer. Kurtike examined the empty slit before pulling her shirt back up to cover it.
“I don’t know exactly.” She couldn’t lie, but neither could she tell him everything. “Stinging insects had come out of nowhere and then we were carried away by a strong wind. Hemrick got us out of the current before falling unconscious. I dragged him to the cave and came straight here to find help.”
Myze came in and stood by Hemrick.
“Oh Dommi, I’m so sorry for your loss.” She took her hand as she bowed her head.
Kurtike shook his head. “We’ll scout the area and see if we can find traces of any Prints. If they’re still in the area, maybe we can get your strip back.”
Dominaze looked down. “That wind current seems to have carried us a long way. I don’t think the Prints who attacked us were ever in this area.”
“Perhaps,” Kurtike put his hand on her shoulder, “but we’ll check it out anyway.” He turned to Hemrick. “Let them take care of you. They can help with the stinging. If we find anything, we’ll let you both know right away.”
Hemrick’s jaw was tight. He nodded once and then looked at Dominaze. It wasn’t safe to explain anything to him now—too many listening ears. Squeezing his foot, Dominaze turned and followed Myze out of the room.
“Can he have something to eat?”
“Of course, dear. I’ll bring him something.”
“Thank you, Myze.”
Standing in the doorway, Dominaze watched as a little round Manick woman washed and anointed Hemrick’s stings. He occasionally winced at her touch. Dominaze could feel his eyes on her, but she refused to meet them. Besides, she knew what she would see if she met his stare. Disapproval.
The woman finished and hobbled out of the room.
“Dominaze.” Hemrick’s voice was stern.
She went to his bed side. “Before you lecture me, I did what I thought was best. You needed help and I didn’t know what else to do. I…”
“Dominaze,” he interrupted. “Thank you.”
“Oh.” She shrugged her shoulders. “You’re welcome?”
“I realize you risked a lot to find help for me.” He reached for her hand. “Come here.”
Taking his hand, Hemrick squeezed it weakly.
“Tell me your strip is safe. Tell me you still have it.” He shook his head. “I won’t be able to rest if, after everything, it’s just gone.”
“It’s safe,” she whispered.
Hemrick closed his eyes and took a deep shaky breath. He didn’t say anything else. Soon his grip fell loose on her hand and his chest rose and fell calmly. The ointment the Manick woman had administered was already reducing the redness on his stings. Dominaze knew he would rest more comfortably now. Leaving the room, she walked to the front of the building and sat under the shade of a little tree. She watched as the Manicks scurried about their day. They busied themselves in gardens, fixed fences, and patched buildings. A few left with empty baskets and buckets. They returned later with them full of water, plants, and rocks. Myze walked up the path toward Dominaze carry two plates in her hands.
“Here you are Dommi. The fruit is now cut and being distributed.” She handed Dominaze a plate filled with yellow, red, and green cut fruit. “I’ll leave this plate with Hemrick. He can eat it when he’s ready.”
“Thank you, Myze.” Dominaze began eating immediately.
The fruit was sweeter that any fruit she had ever tasted. Its juices filled her mouth and dripped down her throat. Every bite was full of flavor and the plate was empty far too soon. Myze returned from Hemrick’s room.
“Myze, how long have you lived here?”
“Six years.” She smiled. “Before that, I traveled with the Season Travelers.”
“Travelers?”
Myze wrinkled her forehead. “Don’t you know of the traveling Manciks? Where are you from?”
“The East Coast.” Dominaze didn’t know the name of Kyro’s island, but it didn’t matter—she would never say she was from there anyway.
“Ah.” She nodded like that explained everything.
“What?”
“The farther East you travel, the less the Taloms are taught of the different Manick groups.” She took Dominaze’s plate. “The travelers keep to the West and less populated areas. I must go help with lunch preparations. You and Hemrick will stay here,” she nodded to the larger building, “until he feels well enough to travel.”
Dominaze watched her leave. It didn’t seem so bad here. Dominaze would miss a hot shower, sure, but as she watched the Manicks work, she wondered if she could stay. It was only a few days ago that she had learned that the Prints existed. It could be easy to forget here. If putting her strip back meant she would be hunted and wanted dead, then maybe she should really consider keeping it out. Maybe the Manicks would allow her to live among them. Maybe the Demon Print could disappear forever and be forgotten.
~10~
A REASON TO DIE
“No.” Hemrick sat staring into the morning fire. “Absolutely not.”
The sun hadn’t risen yet, but the sky was light.
“Hemrick just think about it. I could live safely here.” Dominaze looked down the street of small cabins and smiled.
“I can’t believe you’re even considering this. I’ve never heard of a Print who didn’t long for their strip once it was removed, and yet you will voluntarily take yours out forever and live in this desolate place?” He threw a rock into the fire.
“Of course I long for it. It drives me crazy that it’s not where it belongs, but think about it from my point of view. My first two days as a Print were spent running for my life and starving. Ever since I pulled it out and came here, I haven’t had to run and I’ve been given three meals a day. You said yourself I was an abomination that shouldn’t exist.” She took a deep breath, “I’m not telling you that you have to stay with me. I’m just letting you know I’m going to ask to stay here. It’s been so nice not having to worry about every thought that might enter my mind, and I’m not ready to go back to that.”
Hemrick shook his head. His sting marks had disappeared and healed weeks ago, but every time he was ready to leave, Dominaze had found an excuse to stay; bad weather, she was sick, or even just too busy helping with someone’s chore. He finally confronted her about it.
“Dominaze, I was scared at first, but you can’t just pretend to be someone you’re not. It’s a lie. Can you honestly live everyday like that, lying to the Manicks around you?” He pointed to a group already working in their yard. “They would give almost anything to have their strips back. How
could you live among them knowing you voluntarily gave yours up?”
“Were they called an abomination and sentenced to death because of theirs?” Dominaze hissed.
She didn’t care to hear the answer. Standing, she turned and walked away before Hemrick could say anything more. Of all the Prints, Dominaze thought Hemrick would understand her hesitation to replace her strip. Instead he was making her feel guilty. Hands in fists, she stormed down the street. Passing a smiling group of Manicks, again she longed to stay.
“What’s your hurry?” Kurtike’s voice interrupted her frustration.
Turning to see him, Dominaze watched as he jogged away from the wrinkled old woman with long white hair. Dominaze still wasn’t sure if the old woman knew who she was. But nothing bad had happened so far. The woman smiled briefly at her before looking down the street, as if she were waiting for someone.
“Who is that woman?” Dominaze asked as Kurtike got closer. “She’s the only Manick who hasn’t introduced herself to me.”
“Is that why you’re storming down the street?” He laughed.
“No.”
“Well, don’t worry about her. She’s more of a spectator personality, gets the most from watching a Print or Manick rather than talking to them. She’ll only talk to you if she needs to or if you’re a permanent resident here. Maybe that’s why she’s head of Caba.”
“She is?”
He laughed, “Come on Dommi, why would you consider staying in a place you know nothing about?”
“Wait, how did you know I wanted to stay?” Dominaze looked toward the old woman, but she was gone.
“Because,” he put his arm around her and started down the street, “you’ve been here for weeks. No one stays that long unless they plan to stay longer. So, tell me. Why do you want to stay?”
“I guess I just want to be around the other Manicks.” She shrugged her shoulders.
“But you don’t want to go with the Manick travelers?”
“Honestly, I don’t know anything about the travelers.” She shook her head.