Flower Readings

by Lilliana Rose

  “Come closer, you need to come closer if you want to find whatever it is you are looking for.”

  Triena stepped up to the stall. The stench caused her breath to become shallow. It was as if the man hadn’t bathed for years, but it was worse than that, the smell was rancid as if something decaying in the shadows behind the man.

  “He can’t help you.” Braklen held his hand over his nose and mouth.

  She knew he was struggling to stand there with her. She ignored him. She was close. There was something here for her. But, is it what I want? The smell knotted her stomach and she swallowed against the bile. Somehow she felt stronger. She kept standing there, looking at the man and the wooden table with nothing on it.

  “Do you have something for readings?” asked Triena.

  “Yes, do you have something in mind?” The man smiled, his gums were spotted black and his breath smelled as bad as his stall.

  Maybe it’s him who is rotting? Triena looked into the patterns of Energy, but all she saw were black flowers, and others with hints of white, and a drop of red. She knew those flowers. “Black Widow, Angel Snow and Blood Drop.”

  “Specific.” He rubbed his chin as if thinking. Triena half expected his skin to flake off, it was so old and fragile looking.

  “Come on, old man, we don’t have all day,” said Braklen.

  Triena placed her hand on his arm and squeezed. “I won’t be long, dear.”

  The old man laughed. “I have something for him all right.”

  “That’s not who it’s for,” said Triena. “Do you have what I want?”

  “How would you like them?”

  “Dried flower buds.”

  “You know what you want. I like customers who know what they want.” He turned away and stepped into the depth of his stall.

  “It’s getting close to midnight. We’re not going to make it back in time.” Braklen’s voice vibrated with stress.

  “It’s okay.”

  A cloud thundered into the Energy and she began to doubt. This was too risky, waiting here in a stinking stall for something that might not be what she wanted. She took a deep breath and immediately regretted it, and coughed as she tried to stop herself from dry-retching.

  “She’s going to kill me if I don’t get you back.” Braklen tugged on Triena’s arm.

  “Here we are.” The old man dumped a package on the table. “And I put in a few extras for him.”

  “How do I know you have put in what I asked for?”

  “It’s what you want.” His cloudy eyes looked straight at Triena and she shivered. “You don’t have time to argue. Now, that will be a full chip.”

  “A full chip. You’re crazy man,” said Braklen.

  Fuck the Queens. I don’t have any money.

  “You can’t pay?” asked the man.

  “Of course,” said Triena. If I had a full chip. Fuck. How could I have forgotten? Then she remembered she had put on her belt. There should be a stolen chip card there from one of the Peacekeepers from the ship. She undid her jacket and checked the pocket in her belt. Her fingers felt the plastic square chip and she pulled it out. “Here.”

  “Is it full?” He held out his hand, waiting.

  It took a little while for Triena to realise he couldn’t see and she put the card in his hand. The creases in his palm were deep and full of dirt. “Of course.” Triena decided it was better to take a risk. Besides, if she didn’t leave here soon, Braklen was going to explode and it was going to be messy.

  His dirty fingers closed around the chip. He nodded. “Stolen?”

  “Of course.”

  Braklen pinched her. “Why did you say that?” he hissed in her ear.

  “It’s true, now shut up.” Triena looked back at the old man, waiting for his answer. It looked like he had a green thick mucus-like liquid creeping out of the corners of his mouth.

  “I’ll be off then.” Triena put her hands on the small package and froze as the old man placed his hand on hers. A coldness spread from him to her, up her hand towards her heart.

  “Don’t go back the same way,” he said.

  Triena could barely hear him. “What?”

  “Compromised.”

  “Who?”

  “A different way, and don’t worry he’ll find you.”

  He took away his hand and despite the remaining questions Triena had, she picked up the package and turned away. “Let’s go.” She shoved the parcel down her black shirt. The paper felt rough and dirty against her skin.

  “This way,” said Braklen.

  The path felt familiar to Triena and she remembered what the man had just said. Do I listen or not?

  “But, it’s the same way.” The markets were being packed up. In the morning there would be no sign they were even here.

  “Yeah, figured it’s best not to listen to that guy. He didn’t look right in the head.”

  “We have to?”

  “No we don’t.” Braklen kept walking, forcing Triena to keep up.

  “Braklen.”

  “No, you got what you wanted. Now, it’s my job to get us back.”

  Triena tried to feel the Energy but it had become too stormy to detect any patterns and she retreated quickly.

  “Do you think he meant Marory?”

  She couldn’t turn off her mind. It was like the old man had made her brain go up a gear and she couldn’t stop thinking of what he said. Warnings like that were best to listen too, but she couldn’t get Braklen to listen to her. This is not a good sign.

  “No. Shut up and walk, we have to hurry.”

  Triena wasn’t sure. There was too much doubt in her mind. Maybe it was Salene who he was referring to?

  Alleyways looked the same to Triena. She didn’t know how Braklen managed to weave his way without getting lost. At least she could use the Energy. The night was quiet, even more than before. The sound of their footsteps made her blood pressure rise.

  She expected Peacekeepers to be at every turn, waiting for them. Each time they went around a corner she let out of breath of relief that was sucked in, when they approached another intersection. Triena couldn’t tell if they were getting closer to Marory’s place or not. The streets were empty and the city clock began to chime midnight signifying the start of the curfew.

  Braklen slowed down and kept closer to the walls of the buildings, the shadows keeping them somewhat hidden. Instinctively they took more care to make less sound as they walked along the cobbled street. Cold air burned at her lungs as if she was being suffocated.

  Triena thought she heard something behind her and drew closer to Braklen, with a breath of hope he would use the same trick as before and kiss her. Even though she knew that wasn’t likely to work this time, not now after curfew. He kept moving and she didn’t hear any more noises, other than their breathing and muffled footsteps.

  She longed to stop, take out the package and open it up. Had he really given her what she wanted? Triena would’ve preferred to make the selection herself, if given the chance. What would it do to the Priest? Tell him what he wants to hear, or maybe not. She couldn’t tell, not now, as she crisscrossed between the alleyways of this dark city.

  He paused looking down the two different directions, making sure no one was in sight. “We’re nearly there,” said Braklen.

  He went to move to the right, but there was a noise up ahead, footsteps. Braklen quickly changed directions, heading down a narrow alley to their left.

  Triena felt the change in the air and in the Energy as they walked. In the gray smoky light, the smell of garbage thickened and she gasped, desperate for fresh air.

  “Nearly there.” Braklen’s soft and strong voice didn’t reassure her.

  She knew they were now going in the opposite direction to where they wanted, which meant they’d have to double back, or loop around; either way it was going to take longer, and they didn’t have time to waste.

  Triena kept up with him, trying not to think of the slush she w
alked in. At the end of the alley, he stopped again, and listened. There were no sounds. Not even behind them.

  He pulled her into a wider laneway, then right, and down a small flight of stairs, trying to redirect themselves back to safety at Marory’s place. Triena felt the tension around her ease as they came closer to their destination. She wasn’t sure where they were, but she instinctively knew they were closer.

  “Halt.”

  The sharp words made them both stop.

  “Keep moving.” Braklen pushed her ahead of him. “Keep going straight ahead.”

  Triena ran. Braklen followed behind and so did whoever had spoken to them.

  “Left.” Triena followed his instructions, but didn’t think this was going to work if he had to keep telling her where to go. It was too obvious for whoever pursued them. When she got to the next intersection, she went right. Braklen didn’t say anything so she kept running up the stairs.

  She squinted ahead, trying to look through the thick fog that suddenly descended. They were making too much noise and she couldn’t tell if they were still been followed or not.

  Triena saw an outline in the shadow, a human, but it was too late to change direction. Going back wasn’t an option and there was nowhere to turn. Walls on either side. No doors. She puffed hard and heavy. Maybe I can get past him?

  She was about to spring to her left to sidestep the person who walked slowly to them, when she saw who it was.

  “Priest Junqi.” She slowed down, relieved to see him. He can get us back.

  Priest Junqi took a step forward towards them, his hands by his sides. Fog billowed around him.

  “What are you doing here?” Braklen slowed his stride.

  “Looking for you two.” The Priest lifted a hand and pointed a particle gun at them. “You were harder to find than I thought.”

  Chapter 15

  Triena stood frozen. Her gaze fixed on the Priest pointing a weapon at her. “No.”

  “Yes.” He kept his face blank.

  Footsteps sounded out in the alleyway behind them. Braklen went to move forward towards the Priest. The click of the safety of the gun being released stopped him.

  “I will shoot you.”

  “But … you …”

  “No.”

  “You fuckin’ bastard.” Triena felt herself recover. A fire burned inside her belly threatening to burst out and devour the Priest for being a traitor. She caught her thought. This isn’t me. The anger burned as she felt Pernally’s energy come to the surface.

  “Hands where I can see them.”

  I’m not taking this. Triena rushed forward, ignoring the gun, releasing the anger inside of her. Braklen stepped into help, and they managed to knock the Priest over. His gun slipped from his hand.

  “Run!” Braklen pushed Triena forward.

  She ran. She half expected the Priest to pick up the gun and fire at them. She waited for a blast. But, there was nothing.

  “After them,” yelled the Priest.

  “Faster,” said Braklen.

  Triena breathed heavy and struggled to keep her burning muscles moving. He shoved her whenever she slowed down too much. She didn’t think she could keep this up much longer as she ran down another alleyway.

  She stopped when the path divided. “Which way?” Her leg muscles twitched threatening to buckle. Braklen gave her a push to the right. She couldn’t tell if anyone was behind her or not. All she could hear were their footsteps on the cobbled street and their heavy breathing. Just when she felt her lungs were about to self-combust, Braklen pulled on her arm to stop.

  “I think we lost them.” He pushed her back against the wall, to keep them out of side, but she still felt exposed. Triena wanted to get back to Marory’s. Her mouth dry, body burning with fire energy, she pulled at her woollen clothing.

  “Don’t know what it is about you.” Braklen leaned forward, hands on each bent knee, breathing hard.

  “What do you mean?” Triena felt the heat of his body radiate towards her. All she wanted to do was to lose herself in his energy and forget they were being pursued once again.

  “People are willing to betray you. What you got that I don’t know about?”

  “Nothing.” Triena felt uneasy. “Like this is my fault.”

  “Well it ain’t mine.” He stood up and glared at her.

  “Not my fault I use flowers instead of animals.”

  Triena looked at Braklen, staring into his eyes. They were dull in the light and she could just make out his features. Even the gray light couldn’t hide the fear in his face. She shuddered as her own qualms surfaced and the adrenalin in her body dissipated.

  “Come on, we’ve got to see if Marory is okay.”

  Triena’s stomach flipped. A clear warning in the Energy formed in her third eye and she wasn’t about to ignore it. “But, they will be there. They know her place.”

  “We have to take the risk.”

  “No.”

  “We’re in this mess right now because I took the risk to come out here with you to get bloody plants, so don’t talk to me about dangers.” He began walking down the narrow lane.

  Triena stayed leaning on the wall. She forced herself to look into the Energy. The pattern pointed her in the other direction to Braklen. Do I go alone? That’s what she wanted to do. She’d been self-reliant for so long. Although, if she was truthful, that hadn’t really worked out. Living on a planet of renegade traders who were breaking rules, or running from the Queens, hadn’t really kept her safe. Not if it meant her only friend there betrayed her.

  “I’ll leave you behind.”

  Braklen was still close, but she could feel his energy fading as he walked away. She knew the chip would begin to pull her to him, to contract her muscles until she yielded to the pain and gave in.

  Triena braced herself. Let’s see who has the strongest will.

  She felt the tug. It was violent as Braklen stepped past the boundary between them and she stifled a gasp as the chip gripped her arm. Searing heat and extended out from her arm sending the agony to the rest of her body. She doubled over as he kept moving away from her. She realised it was stupid to do this, but so was going to Marory’s right now. The Priest would be there, waiting for them. What will Marory do with him? She thought of the rabbit. He was right. I should’ve taken him with me.

  The chip felt like it was moving in her arm, cutting through her tendons and ligaments. The dark of the night weighed down on her. He must be feeling this too. She gasped. The intensity increased, tears filled her eyes and she clutched at her stomach. I can’t follow him. Stubborn shit.

  She couldn’t move even if she wanted. The pain crippled her. She fell down on her knees, groaning. Her body curled tight trying to block out the pain. The chip fired electric pulses out through her nervous system causing her to convulse.

  Doesn’t he care? She found herself relaxing into each convulsion, as if giving up, even though she wanted to fight, but she couldn’t. Her energy began to drain away. Braklen.

  She closed her eyes, welcoming the sight of nothingness in the void that was soon to embrace her forever. Her neurons burned from the electric pulses. This is it. She forced herself to gasp for air, one last time, and waited for the next bolt of electricity to run through her body. But, it didn’t come.

  She took another breath. Her energy stopped seeping away. She inhaled as if drinking in the stale air that stank of human waste. She tasted the filth of the city through the air and didn’t care, as she returned towards life. I’m going to kill him for doing this to me. She knew she wouldn’t. No she wouldn’t kill him. Maybe, I will punch him for doing this to me.

  “Well, well, well, what have we here?”

  The voice sent cold shivers in her body. I know that voice. Triena forced herself to open her eyes but she didn’t see anyone. Her body uncoordinated, struggled to move, as she sat up.

  “Knew you couldn’t be far from him,” said Priest Junqi.

  Triena saw h
im now, standing over her, smiling and felt sick at the sight.

  “Prisoner chips work well, don’t they?” He squatted down next to her. “You look like you need a good night’s sleep. I can help with that.”

  Her muscles were on fire from the exertion of having to sit up, and they trembled as they contracted and relaxed involuntarily causing Triena to sway as if she was drunk.

  “No.” Her words slurred and her vision blurred. She blinked to try and refocus. She couldn’t see Braklen. He’ll come. She didn’t have the strength to use the Energy to confirm her thought. “He’ll come for me.”

  “Braklen?”

  Triena nodded her head, and immediately regretted the movement as dizziness flooded her mind. Priest Junqi caught her. His hands felt like hot irons on her shoulders even through layers of clothing. She looked at him and noticed men standing behind him. Braklen. He was unconscious, held up between two Peacekeepers.

  “Lucky I came along. It looked like the cards had changed. He was quite happy to kill you.”

  No. He wouldn’t. Would he? Triena found it hard to think as her mind swirled with conflicting thoughts.

  “You’ll feel better after some rest, maybe some more tea.” The Priest stood up. “Bring her.”

  Rough hands pulled her from the ground. She groaned and her muscles protested from the sudden movement. They tied her hands behind her back. One of the burly men picked her up and slung her over his shoulder.

  Where are you taking me? Her throat constricted from stress. She didn’t have the strength to speak. No answer in the Energy, nothing.

  “It’s not too far,” said the Priest.

  She closed her eyes against the night wishing to lose consciousness. No matter the amount of movement, and how uncomfortable she felt, she remained present. Bile rose to her mouth every time she thought about what the Priest would do to her. Triena heard the opening of an electric door and they went inside, down some stairs deep into the bowels of a building.

  “In here,” instructed the Priest.

  The man carrying Triena dropped her on the ground, with a thud that added bruises to her body.

  “Here.” He held out a handful of pills.