by L. S. O'Dea
CHAPTER 16: HUGH
HUGH PULLED HIS CLOAK over his head and followed The Victor and Jackson through the alleyway away from Ray’s warehouse. They traveled down a side street and then The Victor turned onto a main road.
“Shouldn’t we keep to the alleys and smaller roads?” He and Trinity had stayed in the shadows. He didn’t like being out in the open. It was odd how quickly he’d adapted to a fugitive’s way of life.
“No one’s awake this early,” said The Victor. “Even if they are they won’t bother us.”
“They might report me. There’s no way I can pass as a Servant or Guard.”
The Victor laughed. “That’s for sure. You move like a rock in water.”
Great. Another day of insults. “If you agree then—”
“Keep your face covered and no one will care that you’re an Almighty. Some visit these areas,” said The Victor.
“I thought everyone hated Almightys and it was dangerous for us to be here.”
“We don’t hate their money.” The Victor headed onto another main street.
“They come for the females,” said Jackson.
“And other things,” said The Victor.
“Like what?” This world was different and he needed as much information as possible.
“Everything. We can get anything you want. Anything.” The Victor’s blue-gray eyes were hard as he looked at Hugh. “For a price.”
“Black market,” said Jackson. “There are areas where you can order or purchase whatever you want. No questions asked.”
“Even girls? Young girls,” he asked.
Jackson shot him a confused and somewhat disgusted look.
The Victor stopped and turned, sizing up Hugh. “There are those who deal in that. Not Ray, but others.”
“Can Ray contact those others?” There was no way Meesus hadn’t gone to Ray about her daughter. Her deal grew more suspicious with each revelation.
“Not the one you want.” The Victor smiled slightly. “If it were that easy, I’d have already done the job for her.” The Victor started walking again.
He followed the Servant. Obviously, The Victor knew about his and Meesus’ arrangement. Perhaps, he could get some information from the large Servant. “Ray seems well connected. Why can’t he contact this other person?”
“Ask her. She’ll tell you everything you need to know,” said The Victor.
Okay. That hadn’t worked, but he wasn’t giving up. The Victor didn’t strike him as too intelligent. If he could get the Servant to talk, he should be able to steer the conversation. “Why do they call you The Victor?”
“Because I win.”
“Win what? Games? Cards? Females?”
“Fights,” said The Victor.
“That explains why you work the door at Ray’s. I’m sure there a lot of fights there.”
“Some and I win those too but I meant paid fights.”
“Street fights?” They were brutal with no rules except winner takes the prize. It was illegal but mostly ignored by the authorities. Too many Almightys liked to gamble on the matches.
“Them and others.” The Victor darted into the forest, leaving the city behind.
“What others?” He picked up his pace. He’d never heard of anything but street fights.
“Arranged fights. Indoors. In a ring.”
“I’d always heard that the fights were literally on the street.”
“Most used to be. Some still are, but others, the ones that pay more, are inside. Safer for those who want to watch,” said The Victor.
“Inside fights would be less likely to be reported.” Although the laws weren’t strictly enforced, there were enough arrests to keep the Almightys who opposed these fights content.
“And they charge at the door. Some of the pots are big.” The Victor glanced at them again, his eyes gleaming. “Ray is trying to get me noticed by Vickers. If that happens, I might get invited to the big one. Crosnics Manor.” His voice was reverent.
“Crosnics Manor is owned by Dresschew, an Almighty.” If The Victor was right about the place then some very rich Almightys were involved in the street fighting business and possibly other illegal activities. This could explain why Meesus thought he could help, but he didn’t have those type of connections anymore.
“Don’t know who owns the place. Just know that Vickers makes the invitations.”
“Who fights?” He trailed after the Servant. The forest was getting denser and harder to navigate. Jackson stayed close behind him.
“Whoever gets invited.”
“No. I meant is it always Servants or—”
“Mixed. That’s the fun. Most of our fights are between Servant and Servant but some, the ones with the biggest payouts, are fights between the classes. Only Guards and Servants so far, but we’re hoping the Grunts and Stockers will join soon.”
“Why would you want to fight Grunts or Stockers or anyone from another class?” He glanced at Jackson. “That isn’t going to help you win the war. The classes need to work together, not fight each other.”
“Payouts are bigger when we fight each other.”
“I’m sure they are and I bet the Almightys arrange the fights that pit Servant against Guard, right?”
“Yeah. So?” The Victor’s eyes were wary as if sensing a trap.
“Don’t you see? They don’t want you to work together. If the classes unite, the Almightys will lose.”
The Victor shrugged. “More money. I’m gonna fight.”
“That’s what the Almightys want. Don’t you understand?” They had to start seeing the big picture or they’d always remain subjugated. “Fighting the other classes isn’t good. You—all of you—need to stop.”
“Money is always good.” The Victor glared at Hugh over his shoulder.
No matter what Hugh tried, The Victor remained silent for the rest of the trip. Obviously, his communication and manipulation skills were worse than rusty.
It was late afternoon when The Victor stopped, pointing through the brush at a small village. “You two wait here while I go smooth our way.” He disappeared into the forest.
Hugh leaned against a tree. “I’ll have to talk to Ray and make him understand that they’re being manipulated by the Almightys with these fights.”
“Speaking of manipulation, I don’t know what’s going on with you and Meesus but you need to stay away from her,” said Jackson.
He straightened. The Guard must’ve been biting his tongue for hours, waiting for The Victor to leave. “There’s nothing—”
“Save it. Whatever favor she promised, refuse it. As your friend I’m telling you, it isn’t worth the price.”
“Is that what we are? Even though I won’t help you.” He wouldn’t admit it but he hoped Jackson would say yes. He liked the Guard, always had, and he needed a friend.
“Are you really asking me that?” Jackson studied him.
He’d never have guessed that this would matter as much as it did. The revelation that he’d been saved for a purpose still burned. He missed his Guards and his sister. He needed to see someone who truly cared for him.
“We may not agree on this war”—Jackson smiled slightly—“since you’re being a hard-headed idiot, but you’re my friend, no matter what.”
Relief washed through him, but he couldn’t trust the words. This Guard owed him no loyalty, no friendship. “Why?”
“You took us in when you didn’t have to.”
“I wanted Trinity.” He’d known Benedictine was a cruel master. He’d seen the proof on Jackson’s battered face and yet, he’d made the Guard beg and deal for safety. He’d been an ass.
“You handled everything that night at the Lake of Sins honorably. You never questioned the value of any life over another.”
“I did the right thing. It wasn’t that hard.”
“Most Almightys wouldn’t have considered saving female Servants before Almightys the right thing.”
“Helping Meesus is th
e right thing to do too.” He’d try to free her daughter from a lifetime of sexual servitude even if Meesus wasn’t going to find him a lab.
“She’s dangerous. She isn’t like any House Servant that you’ve met. She’s a survivor. She’s had a rough life, very rough and...she’s different because of it. Hard. Ruthless.”
“She’s not all bad.” Hardships changed a person but he had to believe that they didn’t destroy them. “You can’t blame her for surviving.”
“I don’t, but you have to think with your head, not...” Jackson took a deep breath. “Just because the two of you mated last night, doesn’t mean she has feelings for you.”
“It wasn’t my first time, you know. We made a business arrangement. That’s all.”
“Sealed with sex. That’s how she does it and soon she’s holding all the cards. I know it’d been a long time for you, but if you’re going to have a soft spot for one of the whores pick a different one.”
“Don’t call them that.” The term seemed so harsh for the kindness that they’d shown him.
“You do understand that Meesus and the other two are whores, right?” The Guard’s eyes twinkled. “You didn’t actually think that all three of them were dying to mate with you?”
“No. I’m not an idiot. I know what they are, but I wasn’t thinking clearly last night.” All he’d been thinking about had been their breasts and skin and his needs. “They said that they chose that life. Is that true?”
Jackson shrugged. “Probably. Things are different now. A lot of Almightys dumped their House Servants and Guards when the revolts started. Some knew how to make it on their own, but many others starved. Ray isn’t a bad master. There are worse.”
“I never meant for that to happen.” He’d hoped to free the other classes not kill them. “I wanted the truth to be known. I wanted them to be treated fairly, equally.”
“I know. It’ll get better.” Jackson paused, eyes narrowing on Hugh. “If we win the war, otherwise...” He held up his hand and tipped his head, sniffing. “The Victor returns.”
A few moments later, the Servant moved out of the brush. “Follow me.”
The Victor led the way through the bushes, keeping to the outskirts of the town and then stopped, pointing to a cabin about twenty yards away. “Go. He’s expecting you.”
“Aren’t you coming with us?” He prayed that The Victor would stay. They’d seen a few Servants on their trip through the village and he was sure that it was The Victor’s large presence that had kept them from approaching.
“I was ordered to escort you here. I did that.”
“Typical Servant,” said Jackson. “Do the bare minimum, nothing more.”
The Victor bared his teeth.
“Stop it.” He put his hand on Jackson’s chest. This wasn’t the time for Guard-Servant squabbling. He turned to The Victor. “Thank you for your help. Please extend my gratitude to both Meesus and Ray.” He held out his hand. “I’d love to hear about your battles over a drink one day.”
“Stay on my good side or you’ll become a story that I can’t wait to tell.” The Victor puffed up a bit and clasped Hugh’s hand.
“I’ll remember that.” He chuckled. “Although, I doubt it’d be a good battle.” He was a better fighter than any of them thought, but there was no reason to let The Victor suspect that.
“That’s true. You wouldn’t last past the first punch.” The Victor clasped him on the shoulder. “But don’t worry. Folks would still want to hear about it because you’re High Hugh.” The Victor turned and headed down the street, no longer staying near the forest.
“Still a politician, I see,” said Jackson.
“Only when it suits me.”
CHAPTER 17: HUGH
HUGH AND JACKSON RACED the few feet to the house. Barney opened the door and ushered them inside. The Servant was dressed in jeans and a worn sweater, giving him a happier, more approachable appearance that the stiff, dark suit that’d been his uniform at Professor Conguise’s house.
“Hugh, thank Araldo you’re safe.” Barney shut the door, worry in his eyes. “The others?”
“They’re fine and now, you remember my name?” He grinned. The old Servant had always made him announce himself when he’d arrived at Conguise’s home.
Barney tipped his head, confused at first and then the memory filled his eyes, making them twinkle with amusement. “I forgot about that. I miss doing that.”
“It annoyed me to no end.”
“That’s why it was fun.” Barney led them into the kitchen where an elderly, female Servant was placing tea and sandwiches on the table. “Hugh, Jackson, you remember Matilda.”
Jackson nodded and sat at the table.
“Of course,” he said. She’d been Barney’s mate for years and had assisted with freeing Tim from Conguise’s lab. He’d met her a few times before his arrest. “You’re looking well.” They both were. There was a relaxed air about them. The cabin was cozy and warm. At least, things had worked out for someone.
“Thank you.” She took his hand. “Please sit and eat.” She sat next to Barney at the table, staring at Hugh expectantly.
He cleared his throat, not sure how to begin. He’d work up to the unpleasantness of calling Barney a liar. “By your reaction, I’m assuming that they told you they were going to rescue me.”
“They didn’t have to tell me. I helped plan it.” Barney sat up straighter, obviously proud of his role in the crime. “Another successful attack against the authority by my hands or, at least, my mind.”
“Figures.” He grinned at the old Servant. “It went about as smoothly as when I rescued Tim.”
“That wasn’t my fault. I didn’t tell you to free the Guards.”
“I couldn’t leave them.” He probably should’ve. It was Scar’s deformed body that had sealed his fate with the jury, but he couldn’t regret giving her a little comfort before the end. She’d deserved so much more. All he could do now was make sure that Conguise paid for what he’d done to her and the others. He prayed that would bring peace to her soul and his.
“No, I suppose you couldn’t have.” Barney’s eyes were sharp but understanding. “Your kind heart is probably why Trinity agreed to help break you out of jail.”
“No, she thought I would help fight your war.”
Barney looked at Jackson who shook his head. “And you won’t. May I ask why?”
“I’ll help but I’ll do it my way. I’ll be of more use getting the scientific proof than leading your troops.”
“How do you propose to do that? You’re no longer High Hugh Truent with money, power and connections.”
“No, I’m not.” The words came out more vehemently than he’d wanted.
Barney’s eyebrows raised, his eyes once again going to the Guard.
“He suddenly has a problem with his title,” said Jackson around a bite of sandwich.
“Like you said, I’m not that man anymore.”
“No, I said you no longer have the influence you once had. Your title may have been stripped but the man remains,” said Barney.
“That man doesn’t exist anymore. Jail and betrayal killed him.” Not to mention his own guilt and sins. It was his fault Viola was dead. She’d switched places with Trinity to prove her loyalty to him. High Hugh Truent had been an ass and he’d deserved everything that he’d gotten, if for no other reason than her death.
“I don’t believe that. Hardships mold a man but they don’t recreate him.” Barney pointed to his own chest. “His core beliefs and values are still there.”
“High Hugh Truent was a fool and he’s gone.”
“High Hugh Truent was a brash, arrogant, young man who made mistakes but he was a good man. Don’t ever forget that.”
This was pointless. He leaned back in his seat. “You seem to be doing well here. I’m glad.”
Barney grinned. “An abrupt change of topic but I’ll play along. Yes, we’re happy. Truly happy for the first time in our lives.”
“Please eat.” Barney pushed the plate of food toward him. “You must be hungry.”
“Starving.” He grabbed a sandwich and hesitated, his hand hanging over the table. There was a chunk of meat between the slices of bread.
“Rabbit. We no longer eat Producer.”
He slid the meat onto his plate. “I believe you but I don’t eat flesh of any kind.” Viola’s butchered body filled his head every time he saw the pink flesh. In prison the Guards had gotten a perverse pleasure out of feeding him mostly meat based dishes and betting on how long it’d take him to succumb and eat the food. He always did. Hunger knew no guilt.
“Your loss.” Jackson grabbed the meat from his plate and stuffed it into his mouth.
They ate in silence for a few minutes and then Barney said, “So Hugh, what do you need? I didn’t expect to see you this soon after your escape.” His eyes gleamed. “I imagine you have important wrongs to right.”
“That I do.” He couldn’t wait to destroy Jason and the Council, especially Conguise.
“What do you need of me?” Barney squeezed Matilda’s hand.
“Just information.” He wouldn’t put either of them in danger.
Barney lost some of the stiffness in his shoulders and the worry in Matilda’s eyes was replaced by curiosity.
“As you know, I was framed for Conguise’s experiments.” The police had searched his mother’s house and had found Scar buried in the backyard near the pond. He pushed down the bile of hatred that threatened to escape. They’d unearthed Scar and had displayed her during his trial, as something that he’d done.
Barney nodded.
“The remains that were found at my cabin were of a few dead creatures. It was enough to instill fear in the jury and seal my fate but there were a lot more specimens in that room on level five.”