Didi and the Gunslinger

by Larsen, Patti

  And feels her hopelessness return as Jackus scoots out from under them and runs off into the crowd. They let him go, focused with muttering anger on the mechcops and the gunslinger.

  He doesn’t seem concerned to see them, lowering and holstering his weapon. “Greetings,” he says. “I am G.S.—”

  The lead mechcop doesn’t give him a chance to finish. This time Didi does scream as a huge bolt of energy hits the gunslinger in the chest. He freezes, blue flaring all over his body before he slowly crumples and falls to the ground, silent and dead.

  Two people hold her back as she tries to reach him, the mechcop who shot the gunslinger extending a clawed arm from its bulky body and scooping up the drooping cyborg.

  “Disperse.” The tinny, mechanical voice makes her shiver. A pulse of power runs through the ground, making her jump.

  “That gunslinger just cleaned up more of a mess in three shots than the lot of you in three years.” It’s the old man she’d seen earlier. The one with the lopsided cart. Only he has the nerve to speak out, though the rest of the street’s occupants seem just as upset as he is. “Bring back the gunslingers!”

  The crowd mutters their agreement. This time, when the pulse runs through the ground, Didi hops and shrieks at the pain despite her protected boots. A few of the people around her fall, a girl crying for her mother.

  “Disperse now.” The mechcops don’t wait for the crowd to part but march their inexorable way through. Didi stares after them with her heart sinking, no longer held back by friendly hands, but by the realization she’s lost her gunslinger.

  And, when she turns back, she understands the absolute truth. The street is emptying, the beaten and unhappy people of Trash City doing as they’re told, brief rebellion as dead as her hopes.

  With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that feels like defeat, Didi slinks back into the alley, acutely aware of the fact she’s all alone.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Didi hovers for a long time at the mouth of the alley, frozen in indecision. Her heart has gone to ice in her chest, no matter the growing heat of the day, her mind turning in circles, faster and faster until she can’t think straight and feels like she’s going to throw up. Forget eating or drinking anything out of her bag, though she knows she should at least find somewhere to hide and close her eyes so she can sort out what she’s going to do. But every time she tries to force her feet to move, to carry her away from the spot where the gunslinger had been, she finds she’s frozen and immobilized by her loss.

  No Pip. No gunslinger. No Dad. No home. No hope. Those four truths circle and circle like a cawing pack of unhappy crows. No Pip. No gunslinger. No Dad. No hope.

  Just Didi, alone in Trash City with a chip an Underlord is looking for.

  She should just go back to her territory and wait things out. That’s the smartest, most logical thing to do. Jackus would never think she’d retreat, right? He’d never look for her there. She could rebuild while she waits for Dad. He’ll be back, the Underlord will let him go when he realizes Dad doesn’t have the chip.

  Didi shakes, her whole body breaking into trembles, forcing her to move at last, to half turn away from the empty street. Better yet, go to the Galactic Conjunction as the gunslinger wanted her to. Maybe she can convince them to let him go, to allow him to help her find her father. Doubt chokes her, makes her vision waver behind tears threatening to carry her to her knees.

  She could just ask around for the Underlord. Or stand in the middle of the street until Jackus finds her. She has no doubt the Underlord will kill her for what she carries. But, maybe he’ll wait until she gets to see Dad one more time. It would be worth dying just to hug her father again.

  She doesn’t recognize the sound of pounding feet until they are almost on top of her, turns the rest of the way into the gloom of the alley just as someone plows into her and carries her to the ground. He grunts on top of her, head swiveling around as he shoves himself up on his hands, a huge grin lighting his young face.

  “Sorry about that,” he says, leaping to his feet and grabbing her hand, jerking her to hers beside him. Someone shouts down the mouth of the alley and he spins, broad shoulders brushing hers before he looks back with a wink. “Thieves! Stop them!” She gapes at him while three large men come running toward them.

  Still holding her hand, her assailant runs for the street, pulling her along beside him. “Whoops! Guess you’re with me now, beautiful!”

  But… she’s not a thief! She’s innocent. Any attempt to free her hand fails as he leaps over the side of a trash pile on the other side of the road, forcing her to copy his jump. What has this insane stranger gotten her into? And yet, even as she complains at him in her head, relief washes through her, the freedom of just running, letting loose all the stress and anxiety she’s been wallowing in since the gunslinger was taken away.

  This odd young man will never know just how grateful she is he’s gotten her into trouble.

  “Sorry about this.” He grins at her over his shoulder even as the sound of pursuit grows quieter. Their chasers aren’t in as good shape, it seems. She flies over the smooth surface, so used to making her way through uneven ground this feels easy. Her new companion seems impressed with her speed and picks up his own until she feels like she’s flying beside him, winding down a block, across another street, up an alley way and down two more blocks.

  He pulls her into another alley at the last second with a jaunty wave at an older woman who snorts her irritation at their rapid passing. Didi stumbles to a halt when he stops suddenly, turning and burrowing sideways through a pile of garbage. She follows him without thinking, into a tiny cubbyhole that’s actually quite comfortable, dug out of the side of the building.

  “Come here often?” She hugs herself and ducks her head in the small space as her companion shrugs his wide shoulders, blond hair falling forward over the most brilliant blue eyes she’s ever seen.

  “Often enough,” he says, laughter in his voice. He keeps it low and soft, though. “But never with someone as beautiful as you.”

  She’s hyper conscious of the fact she’s in desperate need of a cleansing, that she still carries the residual dried blood of the bole with her as well as various other effluvia from her flight from home. And yet, his compliment makes her blush, touch her dirty hair.

  “Name’s Bo Rylen.” He holds out one big hand and she takes it, shaking it firmly, as though a tiny show of aggression will make her feel more in control of herself. Something about the sparkle in his eyes, his wide, white grin, the warmth of his touch makes her shiver.

  She’s seen enough romance vids she’s mentally rolling her eyes at herself even as previously untapped teenaged hormones wake in her sixteen-year-old body and sigh over Bo.

  Didi opens her mouth to share her own name only to have the handsome blond lean in and cover her lips with one finger. His head cocks to the side, eyes locked on the entrance to their little hiding place. Footsteps, muttered voices, a few moments of tension and it’s over, the men who had been chasing them moving off and finally leaving them to the quiet of the trash.

  Bo drops his hand and sits back, still grinning. “Well now, that was a fun morning jaunt,” he says. “Thanks for taking part.”

  Didi tries to scowl, but can’t muster one. She owes him for getting her moving, after all. “Didi Duke,” she says, then feels a fool for blurting her name instead of coming up with something clever to say. He’ll think her a right idiot.

  Bo’s eyes widen and she realizes her mistake, the surge of hormones killed off by her sense of self-preservation. He knows her name, she can tell by his reaction, though he softens his shock and leans toward her with curiosity in his blue eyes.

  “Well now,” he says. “The whole of this city seems to be looking for you, Didi Duke, and I’m the one who runs into you.” He chuckles and sits back again, smile wide, broad chest straining against the buttons on his pale green shirt as he crosses his arms behind
his head. The top two are undone, smooth skin showing beneath, the round of a pectoral muscle. Didi forces her eyes away, furious with herself. She needs to focus if she’s going to escape this situation.

  Then again, does she want to? Maybe this Bo Rylen is the person she needs to find her father. After that… well, she’ll think about after, after.

  “Forgive me,” he says. “I’m not in the habit of dragging strange girls into danger.”

  “Who’s strange?” It comes out sharp and full of anger. She needs it to keep her safe.

  He unfolds his arms, holding up both hands in defense. “I didn’t mean it that way,” he says, deep voice soft. He’s close to her age, maybe a little older, but he seems so much more confident than she is. More practiced. And while she shouldn’t let him lull her into calm, she does feel better when his attitude switches from easy arrogance to kindness and compassion. “Besides, you, from what I understand, bring your own danger with you.” He lets his hands drop into his lap. “You do realize there’s a price on your head?”

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Four

  She should feel uncomfortable with him right now. Surely he’s thinking about turning her in. But there’s still that kindness in his tone, in his face, that makes her feel like he’s not her enemy. Silly, silly girl. Wariness wakes at last. She should have charged her protections, at least. The only weapon she has is the laser pen in her bag.

  “So,” Bo Rylen says, offering his hand, “what does it feel like to have an Underlord after you, anyway?”

  Didi fumbles for something to say, even as Bo laughs and shoos her toward the exit.

  “There are more comfortable places to talk,” he says. “And I have a delivery to make.”

  Didi hesitates, hand going to her bag. She could get a few good cuts in with the laser pen before he could pin her down. If she can get her fingers around it.

  He doesn’t move, but his face softens further. “I’m no threat to you,” he says in a voice that reminds her of the gunslinger. “I promise. I just want out.”

  Didi nods, swallows. Backs her way out of the small cubbyhole. Bo emerges behind her, stretching out his tall body, turning to look back and forth at both ends of the alley. He’s taller than she thought when they ran, about a foot taller than her, lean hipped and long legged, with an expressive face that fascinates her. She has to shake off this odd influence he has over her before she loses it completely.

  “Now then,” he says, turning down the alley the way they’d come, gesturing for her to precede him, “while it’s been delightful, I have a job to do.” He pauses while the panicked idea of being alone again takes her over in a rush of fear. “Unless you’d like to join me?”

  He doesn’t have to ask her twice, though her mind is screaming at her to be more careful. What, is she really going to trust the first stranger she comes across, someone who is obviously at odds with the law, some kind of thief or criminal? Why yes, as a matter of fact. Until someone better comes along.

  Didi convinces herself he might be able to help her. so she joins him when he strolls out into the street, taking her hand in the process. She welcomes the warmth of his skin against hers while her heart pounds, partly from the fear of being out in the open like this, and partly from the contact with Bo Rylen. He whistles softly to himself as they walk, the picture of a good-natured and well-behaved citizen of Trash City going about his business.

  His attitude doesn’t help her nerves any.

  “Why should I trust you?” The words escape her in a whisper and she wonders if he even heard her until he answers in a low voice past his relaxed smile.

  “Why should I risk my life just being with you?” He winks. “Just so you know, I’d be crazy to turn you in. It’s my guess anyone who did so would end up dead, thanks to the Underlord.” He shrugs casually, Didi admiring the way his body moves before she swallows and looks away. “At least, that’s our experience in dealing with the scourge of the galaxy.” He nods to an older lady who smiles back on impulse. He really does have that kind of open allure and charisma. Didi catches her own lips turning up and stops herself by clenching her free hand into a fist, though for the life of her she can’t figure out why she’s still holding onto him with her other.

  “I see,” Didi says. “I guess that’s a good reason.”

  He laughs, the sound of it making her tingle. “That and I can’t resist a damsel in distress.” His blue eyes are the most beautiful thing she’s ever seen. “You are in distress?”

  She nods, looks away again as a lump rises in her throat. “How much do you know?”

  Bo’s hand tightens ever so slightly, a gesture she takes as sympathy. “Not much,” he says. “Only the scuttlebutt about you. My family received the alert yesterday.”

  “I’m looking for my father.” She shouldn’t tell him anything. She has no idea who he really is, though she strongly suspects he’s not trustworthy despite his assurance he won’t turn her in. There are lots of different kinds of trust.

  “So that’s what this is about.” Bo sounds satisfied. “There was a rumor about a scientist the Underlord wanted to talk to. But no one knows why or what he’s after.” Her companion glances at her. “Your father, I take it.”

  It’s Didi’s turn to shrug. “I guess it must be.”

  “Any idea what’s so special about Daddy dearest?” She should take offense to his phrasing, but his words are kind, almost self-mocking. Is he thinking of his own father, maybe? Her mind and heart make the leap.

  “No,” she says. “Only that he was working on a new invention.” She touches the pouch in her clothing, reassuring herself about the chip. She catches Bo looking at her hand, but he glances away again. He has no way of knowing what she carries. “Since it was taken too, I can only guess it was about that.”

  “And Pops gave you no clue as to why this particular machine of his had value to an Underlord?” Bo slows his steps and waves to a young couple coming toward them. Didi holds her breath as the pair pass, Bo shaking hands with the young man before they continue on, the girl nodding to Didi. They have passed before she can nod back.

  “None.” Didi shivers despite the heat of the aging morning. “But I need to find my father. That’s all that matters to me.” She thinks of the gunslinger with regret, of Pip. And pushes them to the back of her mind. Dad has to come first. The other two… well maybe she can find a way to help them when this is over.

  “Interesting.” Bo turns her down another alley before releasing her hand and crossing his arms over his chest. “Not that I believe a word you’re saying. But interesting anyway.”

  Didi stares up at him, mouth gaping. “Did you just call me a liar?”

  He nods, shrugs, grins. “I’m a sucker for a pretty face,” he says. “Yours in particular it seems.” Bo’s arms drop, one hand going to her cheek, to brush hair back. She steps away from him, insulted and hurt and finally shaking loose of this odd charismatic control he’s woven around her. “But I know a liar when I talk to one.”

  “Go to hell.” She turns on her booted heels, ready to abandon him and go it alone. Blikey boys and their ruddy arrogance.

  “Didi.” She hesitates. “I’m sorry.” She turns back, body betraying her before she can stop herself. He stands there in the dimness, shoulders slumped, hands extended. “Please, forgive me. But I had to test you. Just in case you were lying.”

  “Why?” She snaps the word like a command.

  “Silly,” he says. “If I’m going to help you at the risk of my own life, I have to know you’re telling me everything.” He pauses, looks purposefully down at her waist, at the pouch where the chip hides. “You’re not, are you? Telling me everything?”

  He’s like magic, this stranger. How does he know? And why ever would he want to help her? He doesn’t even know her.

  “You’ve gotten as much from me as you’ve earned,” she says, taking a firm grip on herself. “For someone who threw me headlong into more trouble when I have enough o
f my own, you’re awfully cocky about this trust business.”

  He laughs, shoulders back again. “Fair enough,” he says.

  “I didn’t ask for your help, either,” she says. “Nor do I trust a stranger who offers when there’s nothing in it for him.”

  Bo’s grin widens. “Who says there isn’t?”

  She’s nervous again, looks around, expecting to be jumped or pinned down by strangers. She’s followed him blindly until now, the fool she is. But, no one appears, it’s just the two of them, Bo grinning at her like it’s hilarious.

  “I don’t have anything to give you,” she says, stammering the admission.

  He holds out his hand again. “I beg to differ,” he says. “See, I’m an enterprising sort. Whatever it is the Underlord wants from your father, it’s bound to be valuable, yes?” She can only assume that’s true. “And, since I have no desire to work for such an unsavory taskmaster, I’ll choose the next best thing.” He tips an imaginary hat at her. “I figure you and that dad of yours will be so grateful when I save the day some kind of sumptuous reward will be in order.”

  Didi nods quickly. “Anything I can do, if I can do it.”

  He winks, and she feels heat rise in her cheeks. Whatever that expression is on his face, she rather likes the way it makes her body tingle all over again.

  “Good then,” he says. “For now, we need to get you to a safe place, cleaned up,” his nose wrinkles slightly and she blushes all over again, “something to eat. And a plan.”

  She takes his hand, allows him to pull her along again. “What about the job you had to do?”

  “What about it?” His blue eyes catch the light as they reenter the street. “Already done.”