The Cities

by K. A Knight

  His eyes fly wide. “Err—what?” he asks and I sigh.

  “I want visual and audio or I want in, can you do that?” I repeat.

  He nods, looking around, seeming to think before he actually jumps and claps. “Yes, yes, I think I can. If we access the control panel at the bunker door, I might be able to gain access, but I’ll need help. Be right back!” he calls and jogs away.

  I wait with Dray, both of us watching the camp, until Jason comes back followed by a skinny guy who looks away as soon as we make eye contact. “This is Lupin, he can help, come on.” Jason starts towards the bunker door and I follow after him, with a nervous, pale Lupin close behind.

  He’s a tall kid, skinny as hell though—lanky, I would call him. He has on black glasses framing dark eyes and a long, pointy nose and high cheekbones. Even the way he is holding himself looks awkward.

  Jason ignores the Berserker guards who stare at me questioningly and heads straight for a darker grey patch hidden to the right. He pulls out a screwdriver and pops open a small hatch, showing screens and wires he and Lupin bend together while whispering and working. So I turn to Dray and step closer, making sure to lower my voice.

  “I don’t want to leave them defenceless with whatever is going on down there…” I start.

  He grips my chin. “But you have shit to do, I get it. These aren’t your people, soulmate. Your people are hundreds of miles away and need your help.”

  I nod, leaning into his touch. “I’m being pulled in two directions,” I admit, telling him my worries.

  “Family always comes first, soulmate, no matter the cost. You have fought too hard to lose this now, so we stay today and help them as much as we can, then they need to learn to fend for them fucking selves like we had to. You can’t save everyone, soulmate, you know that,” he growls.

  I nod, knowing he’s right. Blowing out a breath, I straighten my spine. “We stay today, I will figure out a plan for them, then tonight we head to The Ring.”

  “That’s my girl,” he whispers, and then leans down and kisses me.

  He sucks on my tongue and I lean into him, losing myself in his touch until a throat clears next to me. Instantly, both Dray and I are pointing weapons at the person and pulling away from each other to see a pale, shaking Lupin stumbling back from us, warding us off with his hands.

  “Sorry, sorry, we, erm, fuck,” he stutters, still backing away.

  Rolling my eyes, I sheathe my sword before he pisses himself, and turn to fully face him. “What’s wrong?” I ask impatiently.

  “I have double-checked, but it looks like someone inside has disabled the cameras and audio on purpose. We can’t see in at all. I’m trying to remotely open the blast doors, but the likelihood is low, they weren’t made to be opened from the outside,” he rushes to explain, not even taking a breath between sentences.

  “So only those down there know what’s going on, and we can’t speak to them or know if they are alive?” I summarise and he nods.

  “Keep working on it,” I order and he nods again, stumbling over his own feet in his haste to get away from me. I look at Dray then. “It’s time to come up with a plan.”

  We are all gathered around the makeshift table outside. My father and a few of his dwellers, surrounded by Seekers, Berserkers, and, well... Piper. She is sitting between Jago and Archel, swinging her legs back and forth. She looks happy and relaxed, but I spot the tightness around her eyes, and when someone comes up from behind she jumps and grabs a knife from her side, ready to attack.

  “I’m going to make this fast and simple. We don’t know if they are dead and we don’t have time to stay and find out. If they are alive, they aren’t opening that door and you could all die waiting for it, if they aren’t, then they aren’t opening it for a reason. My people and I are leaving this afternoon, we still have a war to win, so before then we need to come up with a plan for you.” I look around then and stop on my father. “I say you leave Paradise for good.”

  He jumps to his feet, his eyes wide. “B-But this is our home! We don’t know how to live out here!” he yells, drawing everyone’s eyes while my men stroke their weapons. I stop them from attacking by raising my hand.

  “I feel like I need popcorn,” Piper whispers.

  “Then you fucking adapt. Everyone else had to. It’s time you stopped hiding in the bunker.” With that, I dismiss him and look at Piper. “You offered your help, does that still stand?”

  She sits up taller in her chair and for once doesn’t babble. “Yes.”

  “Good, I need you to stay here for two days, that is all. Help them pack up and move out. There is an empty town near The Rim. It’s called Spring, and it’s probably the safest place even if it’s not as habitable as everywhere else.”

  “Can I offer another suggestion?” she inquires, raising her hand and making me smile—this fucking girl.

  “Sure.” I nod.

  “We wait for two days, if they don’t open the door, we abandon Paradise like you suggested. Then we take them with us,” she looks at Archel then, “to The Forgotten. There is enough room and they will be better protected. They will need to earn their place, but the people are friendly and will help them.”

  “They will accept them all?” I query.

  She hesitates then, her face hardening. “Not any who harmed those there. I speak for my people, and they will face punishment for that. The others, yes.”

  I take in her tone and stance. She’s a leader, that much is for fucking sure. Leader, survivor, and fighter, she will be good to have on my side.

  “Then do that, your punishment and vengeance is yours to have, and Piper?” I lean forward. “Make them pay for what they did, make it fucking hurt.”

  The men around the table cheer as we share a smile. “Too fucking right, hotness.” She holds out her hand in a fist and I raise my eyebrows, making her sigh. “You’re too hot to be dumb, you fist bump it,” she explains. She grabs my hand, and only years of practice stop me from killing her as she bumps my fist into hers, then pulls it back and makes an explosion with hers.

  I know Jago spotted how close I was to attacking out of instinct, and he doesn’t seem happy, but offers me a nod when I straighten up. “It is sorted then,” I declare.

  “I bet she has a bigger penis than even you. You should have a measuring contest,” she whispers to Jago, distracting him from glaring at me.

  “It’s not sorted! My people should have a choice!” my dad shouts, and my patience snaps.

  I get in his face, mine cold and my tone deadly. “Listen up and listen hard. I will say this only once. My men, the people I love most in this world are being tortured as we speak so I can babysit your fucking pompous ass. I don’t give a fuck if you are scared out here, or that the last time you came out was when you lost my brother and me. You will do as you are fucking told for once or so help me God, we will leave you here to die. You are being given a better choice than most—protection and a new home. Everyone here had to earn that, had to fight for that, and you want to complain it’s not fair? Life isn’t fucking fair, sweetheart, but you keep on going, keep fighting because it’s the only life you get. So you are going to go back there and tell your people what is happening, then you will pack up. You will listen to Piper, you will do as she tells you or you die, but I am not wasting another moment of my life on a man who left his own daughter to die at the hands of a madman, not when the men who saved me and brought me back to life are suffering. Do we understand each other?” I finish.

  Everyone else is silent, all eyes on us. I watch my father swallow as tears gather in his eyes. “I understand,” he replies.

  I step away then, turning my back on him to face my men. “Pack up! We are rolling out soon!” I yell and then stride away, trying to hide how much I need to hurt something right now. My hands are in fists and my body is wired up.

  I push into my tent and grab my bag, starting to pack to distract myself. I hear footsteps and know it isn’t Dray, he wouldn’
t be that loud.

  “Worth, can I have a minute?” Piper calls from behind me, as I shove things into my bags. I turn and sigh.

  “Sure.”

  “I want to help with the war, I think I can.”

  I raise my eyebrow, crossing my arms. “Piper—”

  “No, I was always saying I want an adventure and, well, this is it. I can fight, I can lead my people. If you fail, you said it yourself, the Wasteland is theirs and they will probably kill us all. If I can stop that, I will. When I take the Paradise people back to my people, I will speak to them and gather our fighters.” She stands tall then without any give in her expression. She isn’t asking for permission.

  I smirk then. “Good, then help us, fuck knows we will need every man we can get.”

  The tent pushes open again and Evan, Archel, and Jago stand there, making me groan. “This isn’t a fucking counselling chamber, take your lovers spat elsewhere,” I warn.

  “Worth, I’m going with her,” Archel informs me.

  I nod. “I know.”

  He grins then and I wink back. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. Look after her, will you, and meet us at the front line.”

  “I’m going too, if she will have me?” Evan asks, looking at Piper.

  She swallows but nods without looking at him, and a giant smile curves his lips. “Shit, who’s going to patch me up now, Doc?” I tease.

  He laughs then narrows his eyes on me. “Stop getting fucking hurt. Don’t let anyone else patch you up or do it yourself. I’ve seen your needlework on your skin already and it fucking sucks. No getting shot, stabbed, burned, tortured, or captured. I will see you after the Cities.” He nods.

  “Thanks, Doc,” I reply. I’m going to miss the bastard. “I’m glad you found her,” I add lower and he freezes, looking at me, his expression softening.

  “You’ll find yours again, Worth. They wouldn’t dare die on you. You aren’t saying goodbye again, not this time, and I won’t sing you a fucking song like Vas,” he teases and I laugh.

  “No goodbyes, not anymore.” Then despite myself, I stride over and hug him, and he returns the embrace. Just two people with shared pain. We bonded in those cells and Vas’s death only solidified our friendship. It’s strange, I’m crude and rough, and he’s sophisticated and posh, but it’s ours. “Look after yourself, keep practicing what I showed you,” I tell him, and then lower my voice again. “Don’t let her get away this time,” I whisper, then let go and step back.

  “I’ll see you at the front,” I tell them all.

  “What? I don’t get a hug?” Piper pouts and everyone groans, making her smile. “I’m just saying, thought we were going to all hug it out? No? Guess not.” Jago huffs, grabs her, and throws her over his shoulder, then nods at me and walks out as she carries on talking. Evan looks after them, smiles at me, and follows, leaving Archel and me.

  “Take care of him,” he murmurs.

  “I will,” I reply.

  Then he smirks. “Long live our fucking queen.” He salutes and marches out of the tent after Piper.

  Who fucking would have guessed it?

  Now, it’s time to get my men back. I’ve had enough distractions.

  The Agreement

  We pack up fast. All of our people are used to moving at a moment’s notice, and the bikes are already lined up and ready to ride out. I don’t say goodbye to my father, I have nothing else to say to him. Instead, I heave my pack onto my bike, stick my leather jacket on, and wrap my bandana around my neck. I spot Piper lingering, watching from the camp, and head her way. For all her bravado and strength, she is still so young, and despite all the pain and suffering she has been through, she has come out stronger and manages to keep her sense of humour. I hope that will still be the same next time we meet, because I like her.

  “Hey.” I nod, turning to stand by her side as I watch my people load up and swing onto their bikes.

  “I gotta say, you don’t seem weirded out by the three men thing,” she observes casually.

  I snort. “Three? That’s nothing, come back when you have five.”

  She turns to me and grins. “Five? Fuck, that’s a lot of cock. Like, I guess I have three holes, you know, but do you take turns, is there a schedule? Do they play pick a hole?”

  I laugh, I can’t help it. “If we make it through this, I’ll tell you.”

  “I mean like, three, I get it, I have three holes, you know…” She trails off.

  “Evan never stopped looking for you, and even when he thought he was going to die, all he thought about was you—that he never said sorry, that he never told you how he felt. Just thought you should know.”

  I can feel her looking at me then. “I loved him for such a long time, but I don’t know if I’m that same person anymore,” she admits.

  “So? Be the new you and see if the love is still there. He’s different too, I’m betting. Maybe this time you can both love each other and get it right. Sometimes the person is right, but the timing is off.”

  “Fuck, you’re smart. Brains and beauty, no wonder the six cocks,” she teases.

  “Stay safe, Piper.” I nod, starting to walk away, but I freeze and grab the goggles off my head. Turning back, I offer them to her. “You’re going to need these out there.”

  “But they’re yours,” she replies, not reaching for them, so I throw them at her and she automatically catches them.

  “Then I’ll get them back next time we see each other. Keep them safe for me.” I wink and then leave her there as I head to my bike.

  Dray is waiting with his bike next to mine as I swing onto it. Bern, Erik, and Henry are behind us. “Ride hard,” I call out, then I pull up my bandanna and kick my bike to life. I don’t look back as I pull away. Life’s too short for that. Instead, I focus on the road ahead, knowing it leads to my men.

  I’m coming for you.

  The ride to The Ring is long, and every passing minute and hour only makes me grip the handles tighter and try to go faster. Now that I know I am getting closer to getting them back, it’s all I can think about, but I need to relax. I still have preparations to put in place to ensure that once they are free of the Cities, they are free of them forever. I won’t ever let them go back and they will pay for taking my men.

  We ride through the night and into the next day. It’s almost dark again before I see the telltale signs of The Ring. It feels like so much has changed since I have last been here. I don’t even know what to expect when I arrive with Major being gone. Will his men have let it fall into ruins? Will there be anyone left there?

  Did they bury him?

  The thought hits me and my heart clenches. Fuck, I didn’t even get to say goodbye to him. I never thanked him for everything he did for me, I never told him how I felt, and now he’s just gone and I know the place will be filled with his ghost.

  When they die, some people go peacefully, and one or two people remember them, usually loved ones, but Major…Major was loved. His memory will live on in the Wastes for years to come, and I will make sure of that. He was powerful, loving, and someone everyone looked up to. In a world filled with pain, hate, and chaos, he turned The Ring into a place of safety, something the world desperately needed. He took in the strays and slaves no one wanted, and gave them a home and a purpose.

  When we pull up outside the gate, cars upon cars are parked here and so are bikes. Slipping from mine, I unsheathe my weapon just in case someone has tried to take over The Ring, and stride up to the gate without waiting for everyone else. I know he’s gone, I saw it happen, but it won’t feel real until I am inside. I have this clawing need to see it for myself.

  To see the space where he should be.

  There are guards at the gates, some familiar, some not, and when they see me coming a call goes up, with a man hurrying inside and the others watching me with wide eyes. I stop before them, and a man with a purple mohawk on his head and rings covering his bottom lip steps forward.

  “Champion, they are all
waiting inside for you. We have kept the gates closed and eradicated any of Ivar’s men left behind. We have not touched the office.” He nods and I frown.

  “Okay…” I respond, unsure, and he fidgets then.

  “Was there something else we were supposed to do? That’s all the order said.” He looks panicked.

  “Order from who?” I ask, narrowing my eyes as I hear my people catching up with me.

  “Major.”

  One word, a name, and I am staggered. “He ordered you to keep…this place safe…for me?”

  He nods, looking confused. “He left it in his final orders, a passing to you. You control The Ring now. Oh, he also said to check the top drawer in his desk. We all had to learn these orders when we took the job…you didn’t know?”

  “No, I didn’t,” I reply coolly, my mind whirling…how long had Major planned this for? He had put me in charge in case of his death and didn’t fucking tell me? That rat bastard. A smile curls my lips then as I realise he probably knew I would run the other way if he did. Now look at me. How the fuck can I be a queen and a leader?

  “Thank you, keep the gate closed. Are Priest, Reeves, and Nan here?” I question and he nods.

  I start to walk through the gate and he calls out, “And more! People heard about what happened first with Ivar then the Cities, and they are pissed as hell and coming here. They want to fight, they want to help.”

  I stop, his words making me blink…they are coming here, waiting for me?

  “Major was a good man, a good leader, but he shied away from the hard decisions. They know you won’t,” the man adds, and when I look back he is staring back out into the Wastelands.

  Dray comes to my side, smiling at me as if to say I told you so, and my people gather behind me. “Get everyone inside, figure out sleeping arrangements if you can. We rest here while I talk to the other leaders, and then I will tell you the entire plan,” I instruct.