“Fifty coins! You can’t be serious!”
I nodded politely.
“Surely we can come to some kind of understanding,” she cooed, batting her eyelashes. She wasn’t an unattractive woman, but there was no way I was giving her a free ride. Not when there were customers waiting who would pay. Shaking my head, I once again held up the 50 coin card and she went from flirty to furious is point zero seconds.
“Are you kidding me? You can’t fly fifty messily miles? What’s wrong with you?”
Fifty miles? A moment ago it was twenty-five. If I really winged it, I could make it back in time for my appointment, but it would be close. Attempting to maintain my composure, I returned the 50 coin card to the stack and pulled out the 100 coin card. This sent her over the edge.
“What are you, some kind of crook? No way I’m paying 100 coins!”
Unable to argue with her, I simply gestured for her to get out of the carriage.
“No!” she replied stubbornly, folding her arms and sitting back in her seat. “You are flying me to my final destination and I’m not getting out until you do.”
Is she freaking serious? I could be making tips right now. Undoing my straps I came around to the side of the carriage. As I approached, I noticed a hint of fear flicker into her eyes.
“If you touch me, I’ll scream,” she threaten, still refusing to budge. “No way I’m walking fifty miles.” Of course she wasn’t walking fifty miles. There's a town not far from here that rents out horse-dawn carriages. She knew it and I knew it, though she was probably hoping I didn’t. Tough luck. Rolling my eyes, I held up the 100 coin card again, giving her one last chance to be reasonable. When she shook her head, I calmly returned the cards to my pocket and raised the safety bar.
“No,” she said like a petulant child and she pulled the bar back down. I guessed from her attire that she had money. I should’ve guessed that she was also spoiled. Why she refused to pay 100 messily coins for a ride was beyond me. Of course, the rich ones are usually the most uptight. Rapidly running out of patience, I raised the bar again and tried to unfasten her seatbelt, but she slapped my hand away and yanked the bar back down.
“Take me to my final destination!”
I shook my head and tried again. This time she did scream and I quickly backed off. I doubted anyone from the Flyer settlement could hear her, but there were bound to be people in the nearby town who would come running to aid a damsel in distress and since I couldn’t speak, she was free to tell whatever tale she chose. Seeing the look on my face, Miss 1750 smiled smugly.
“Now if you please, I would like a ride to my final destination.” Reaching in my pocket, I retrieved my cards. As I thumbed through them, she continued to speak. “I hope you’re ready to offer a reasonable price.”
Giving her an exaggerated smile, I held up the 150 coin card. With all the trouble she was causing, no way was she getting a cheap ride. When she saw my new offer, her cheeks flushed.
“You think that’s funny, Flyer Boy? I know people, trust me. You do not want to get on my bad side.” In response I pulled out the 200 coin card. While I was enjoying watching her lose her cool, if she ever had it, I was quickly deciding that she wasn’t worth the trouble. When she inevitably rejected this offer, I re-pocketed my cards and returned to the front of the chariot.
“That’s what I thought,” Miss 1750 said, assuming that she’d broken me down. Far from it. Grabbing one of the handle bars, I pulled the cart over to the nearest tree and secured it there.
“Excuse me. What do you think you’re doing?” When I ignored her, she raised the security bar, undid her seatbelt and jumped out of the carriage. Hurrying over in a whoosh of frills and petty coats, she grabbed my arm. “Untie that!”
Shaking her off, I inspected the knot to ensure it was good and tight. I could always return for the chariot later. Refusing to be ignored, Miss 1750 grabbed me again. This time she wouldn’t let go. By the time I managed to pry her off me, I was late for my next appointment and didn’t get tipped. When I returned later that evening for the chariot, I half expected her to still be there, but she was nowhere in sight.
The next incident happened after I’d been working for Jeremiah a little over a week. It was right after lunch and I was starting to feel sick. Since I’d started working at the station, I’d only have small servings for breakfast and lunch. Come dinner all bets are off. I assumed my current indigestion was do to quality instead of quantity. So far the food has been great, but obviously today’s menu wasn’t agreeing with me. Not wanting to forfeit my afternoon wages, not to mention tips, I forced back the nausea and returned to the Aviation Station. An Entertainer and a Builder were in line, requesting a flight across the canyon. They were maybe a year or two younger than me and seemed eager to get going. Accepting the job, I took the two-seater from Moriah and led the boys outside. By now the process was routine; make sure they’re secure, get myself strapped in and take off. Relying on muscles memory, my focus was on keeping my lunch down. With every passing minute, I was feeling increasingly ill. I remember hearing the two boys whispering to each other, but I was too preoccupied to notice.
After receiving the okay, I took off down the runway toward the canyon. When we were up in the air, the boys whooped and hollered with joy. When we landed on the other side of the canyon, I waited for them to get out. Unfastening their seat belts and raising the security bar, they both slid out of the carriage. If I hadn’t been so distracted by the nausea, I might have noticed the look they exchanged as one of them came around to stand in front of me. Before I knew what was happening, the Builder jumped on my back, his long powerful arms wrapping around my neck.
“Give us all your money!” he hissed, pressing down on my wind pipe. Meanwhile his blond-headed friend lunged forward and started body searching me. Recoiling, I pushed his hands away. My actions were rewarded with a firm slap across the face.
“You think we’re playing?” the Builder growled, his grip tightening around my neck. “Don’t move!”
Now I started to panic. With his arm against my wind pipe, I was having trouble breathing. Bringing my hands out to either side, I held them up in surrender. The Entertainer immediately got back to patting me down. Beginning at my chest, he looked eagerly for anything valuable. His grubby fingers clawed at my clothing, but he was having trouble getting in my pockets because of the harness.
“What’s taking so long?” the Builder demanded from his position on my back as his friend pulled at the multi-colored cords.
“His harness is in the way!”
“Then remove it!”
“I’m trying. It’s too complicated! Help me!”
At this, the Builder increased the pressure around my neck as he hissed in my ear. “Undo your harness, Flyer.”
Now my airway was completely cut off. Panic morphed into terror. I didn’t know what lengths these kids would go to get what they wanted, but I didn’t feel like testing them. I was twice their size, but I was out-numbered and the Builder’s location on my back combined with his genetic physical strength gave him a major advantage. Fumbling frantically to unfasten the many straps, I contemplated an escape. From the looks of things, despite their age, these guys meant business. I could only imagine their anger when they realized I didn’t have a cent on me. For safety reason, all tips are dropped off at the Aviation Station between flights.
Quickly catching on, the Entertainer started working on the rest of the straps. As my harness fell away, I tried to flip the Builder off my back, but he hung on with a vice grip. I clawed at his arms, trying desperately to breathe. Little by little my vision was starting to tunnel. Beating my wings, I fought to get the Builder off me. I knew it was only a few minutes before I lost consciousness.
“Stop fighting!” the Entertainer yelled while his friend struggled to hang on. When I tried to kick off the ground, he grabbed a handful of my feathers. I immediately stopped moving. One tug and I could lose a lot of plumage.
“T
hat’s what I thought.” The blond maintained a firm grip on my wing. I tapped at the arm that was suffocating me. To my relief, the Builder loosened his grip. Together, the two forced me into the nearby woods away from prying eyes. There, they continued to search my pockets, but all they found were my pricing cards. Just as I predicted, they became angry.
“The stupid Flyer doesn’t have a coin on him!” the Entertainer declared, glaring up at me. “What do we do?”
The Builder looked me up and down for a second before his eyes fell upon my wings. “My grandfather says their feathers are worth a fortune if you can find the right buyer.”
My heart skipped a beat as they gazed intently at my pale blue feathers. I could practically see the dollar signs in their eyes. The powerful Builder forced me up against a tree while his friend grabbed one of my feathers and yanked it out. This can’t be happening! Not again! Without thinking, I began to fight back. It didn’t matter that I was out-numbered. I was not going to let them de-plume me. The Builder might match me in strength, but his friend was puny. Surging forward, I grabbed the Entertainer around the neck and shoved him to the ground. I then rounded on the Builder and caught him across the jaw with a right hook. My intention was to take flight, but as I spread my wings, a rock connected with the side of my face. I stumbled, giving the Builder enough time to sweep my legs, knocking me off my feet. I tried to get up, but the two friends were on me in an instant, pelting me with their fists.
When all was said and done, I’d sustained a few cuts, several bruises and lost a couple feathers, but I managed to escape. Returning to the Aviation Station, I hurried to the back room where the carriages were kept. I doubled over, my heart still racing. Nearly getting plucked had distracted me from my nausea. Now it returned in full force. My stomach heaved and I threw up. God, I feel sick! This day couldn’t get any worse. I started looking for some decontaminant. I didn’t want anyone to find out what had happened. I managed to clean up the vomit, but Moriah saw me before I could attend to my wounds. He told Tanya, who told Sara who broadcast it in the Flow. In no time at all, Theodora was on me like white on rice. She told me she didn’t want me doing flights anymore, but I insisted that I was fine. All the same, she had a Healer come and attend to my wounds. Within minutes, you’d never know I was attacked. The only thing the Healer couldn’t replace were the feathers, but they would grow back in no time. When I returned to the Aviation Station, Jeremiah insisted that I take the rest of the day off.
That would be nice,I said.But I can’t afford to miss work.
Don’t worry,he replied with a wink. I’ll pay your wages for the rest of the day. Just don’t tell anyone.
Thanks… Uh, by the way, should I file a police report or something? Sadness fell across Jeremiah’s normally upbeat face.Do you guys not have law enforcement in this world?
We do,he replied.But most law officers are Warriors and while I’m sure they would be more than willing to take your case, without a voice, explaining what happened would be difficult. For this reason, we are often the target of attacks.
I could retract my wings and… Before I even finished this thought, I already knew his answer.
Here, we look out for each other. If ever you find yourself in trouble, use the Flow. Wherever you are, help is sure to come. In an emergency situation, our voices carry pretty far.
How far?
Miles.
At the bonfire that night, I asked about what those boys had said in regards to the value of a Flyer’s feathers. In all her teachings, my mother never mentioned that. Elijah filled me on.
As you know, this planet is peppered with shinny things. Here they are abundant, but elsewhere they are not. Because we evolved on this planet, many of these properties manifest themselves in our plumage, making them precious to extraterrestrial entities. Most Antomolites don’t know this, but Flyers get abducted all the time. We are very popular on the Black Market.
I thought the Vongarians orbit our planet to watch us. To protect us.
So they say and yet our kind still goes missing.
After thinking this over, I asked a question that had been on my mind for sometime.Why are you guys so small?
Everyone laughed. You mean why are you so big?
My face flushed. Yeah.
Theodora took over.Obviously it has something to do with growing up on Earth. In all our travels, we’ve never encountered another Flyer your size. The tallest one I’ve seen was around 5’ 3”. He said he spent a few months on Earth hiding during the day and rooting through dumpsters at night.
My mother said she fed me too much.
But instead of getting wider, you grew taller.
Speaking of, I don’t recall seeing any over-weight Flyers.
As I’m sure you’re aware, flying is a great source of exercise.
So, will I keep growing if I continue to consume Earth food?
Maybe, maybe not. As we said, Flyers don’t usually spend that much time on Earth. There isn’t a lot of data. Your case it pretty unique. All we knew is that when our kind consumes certain Earth products for an extended period of time, we experience an increase in growth.
I couldn’t help thinking of all the meals my mother had prepared for me over the years. I’d completely gorged myself, never once questioning my size. Then again, I had reason to. I’d never seen another Flyer. I had no idea my size was abnormal. My mother knew, but she never said anything. Not really. For the first time since I’d come to live by the canyon, I started to feel like a freak.
Don’t feel bad, Theodora said, wrapping an arm around me.We don’t care if you’re different. We love you no matter what.
Yeah, Jeremiah chimed in.You’re a major asset at the Aviation Station.
Not to mention self-defense, Lina noted.If not for your size, who knows what those boys would have done.
By the time the bonfire winded down, I was back in good spirits.
The next day, I was told I’d be accompanying a group of Flyers to the village to pick up goods. No one said so, but I knew they were concerned about the attempted mugging. While the incident had been alarming, it hadn’t put me off working at the Aviation Station. All the same, I didn’t protest. I wanted to see every aspect of the Flyers’ lives, including how they procured supplies. At the station, we had the charts and the cards to communication our prices. Getting items from the market was way more complex and I was curious how it worked.
I quickly got my answer. While letters and words are beyond us, numbers and images are not. I watched intently as the Flyers approached each vender and held up a card with a hyper realistic image sketched on the surface. He or she would then hold up the number of fingers indicating the quantity desired. They had been doing this for over a month now and the process was pretty smooth. Still, despite being accustom to our visits, the villagers watched us with overt curiosity. Before long, a small crowd began to gather. Mainly children, but I recognized some of the girls who had requested flights from me. They followed us from vender to vender, whispering excitedly. When we were almost finished with our shopping, the Teacher Sabrina cautiously approached me.
“Hi,” she said shyly, her long black hair framing her face as she peered up at me with big brown eyes.
I nodded hello and she and her girl friends all giggled. When she continued to stare up at me, I raised a questioning eyebrow. Retracting my wings would make conversation a lot easier, but I knew the Flyers wouldn’t like that. Plus, I didn’t want to give Sabrina or anyone else, further reason to harass me. Seeing the inquiry on my face, the raven haired girl smiled nervously.
“I was just wondering if you’d like to go out… with me.” I was deciding how best to let her down gently when someone in the crowd of onlookers behind her caught my eye. He was tall though I had a good six inches on him. He was also lanky and his face was heavily freckled. He looked about my age, maybe a couple years older. Seeing his fiery red hair, I had a powerful flashback of being pinned down. In my mind’s eyes, I saw him ten
years younger helping his friends yank my feathers out. There was the taste of dirt on my tongue as they shoved my face into the ground. There was also the salty presence of tears. I struggled for all I was worth, but there were several of them and only one of me. I couldn’t stop them from pulling my feathers out one by one. They yanked about a couple dozen out before losing interest and leaving me in the fetal position, my wings trembling as blood beaded the ground. I blinked and I was back in the present, my heart circulating ice through my veins. Zoboriah. He was the ringleader during all my childhood torture. He was no longer that buck-toothed kid, but it was definitely him. I’d recognize those freckles anywhere. When our eyes met, I saw realization on his face. He knew I remembered him. His pencil thin body went rigid and a pained expression skittered across his face. A moment later he disappeared. I had the immediate urge to go after him, but a hand on my arm distracted me.
The Flyer (The Flyer Series Book 1) Page 29