The Line

by K J Southworth

He’s waiting for me to fill in the blank, but I don’t have anything to say. T Sector is the Homestead. Every morsel of food in the City is grown there. A dozen powerful families run it and one of the matriarchs, Anna Beatrice, is someone I’ve known since childhood.

  Fixing Hyde with an inquisitive stare, I finally reply. “Putting them in touch with her was easier than spitting. Are they still insisting on acting like I gave up a kidney?”

  “It may have been easy for you, but it was a miracle to them.”

  Motioning towards the restaurant’s back entrance, he waits for me to move first. I shove my bag under the small table and call to Lenny, letting him know I’ll be back for it. I’m almost outside before I hear Lily’s shriek of protest.

  “Where are you two sneaking off to?”

  “Braggs Bar,” Hyde answers. “Business.”

  “You’re not going anywhere without me,” she cries, putting down her tray and pulling on her jacket. “Jane just got here and said she’d cover for me.”

  “Suit yourself.” Hyde shrugs and holds the door open for her.

  Lily pins me with a suspicious look, waiting for me to argue, but I put my hands up in a gesture of surrender. She can take care of herself. Besides, it’s not her that I fear for.

  4

  B Sector was my home. I wasn’t born here, but I lived as an orphan on these streets. It was here that I got my first Criminal job, where I learned how to survive and prosper, where I lived with Heathcliff Jackson’s crew. Seeing it all again, so familiar yet so foreign, I have no choice but to retreat within. I’m walking in foggy memories with a distant soul.

  Lily points out everything that’s changed, her excitement building with every corner that we turn. This family moved, that guy disappeared, that woman was ordered to procreate. I listen to her passionate descriptions, smiling despite how disconnected I feel. Lily is an anomaly in the City—an adult who’s experienced first hand the bleakness of this place yet refuses to stop seeing the bright side. If nothing else, I’m happy she hasn’t lost that. There are times I rely on it to get through.

  “Alex smashed it two nights ago,” Lily says, pointing at a broken window. “Enid had to ask Hyde to help calm him down.”

  “Alex is an angry drunk,” Hyde replies.

  “Enid hasn’t left that jack-ass yet?” I’m trying to be engaging, but I don’t really believe that I’m here. “What’s she waiting for?”

  I feel it before it happens. There’s always a slight pressure at the back of my skull before anything violent begins. It’s never enough time to prevent anything—just a light warning to prepare myself for a fight. When the wall to my left explodes, I’ve already retreated into that silent world. It’s a reflex now. I don’t have control over it. Violence has always had this strange, numbing effect on me. Something beyond me takes over, giving me a chance to catch my breath before the real battle begins.

  Through a dusty haze, I register Lily’s scream as Hyde protectively steps in front of her. Chunks of brick and drywall fall all over us, but I don’t move. I’m frozen in my eerie calmness. People are scrambling around an exposed room. A short man, desperately shoving small boxes into a bag, tries to escape through the damaged wall. Three Cops pounce before he even reaches the hole. From what I can see of their uniforms, two of them are bounty hunters. One hunter takes the screaming man by the hair while the other two disappear into the building. The remaining Cop places a small metal box, a motion inhibitor, on the side of his captive’s head. The small man stops struggling: sound waves are rushing through his head at an intense frequency. His brain can’t send information to his major muscle groups.

  Cocking my head to the side, I watch indifferently as spit runs down the hapless captive’s chin.

  The bounty hunter takes out a small remote control and presses a few buttons. A hover bike blasts off a nearby roof and sets down next to them. Carefully, the Cop heaves his prize onto its backseat and straps him down with energy cords. When he’s sure the little man is secure, the Cop takes off, leaving the other two to root out what they can.

  Normally, I would walk away before the Cops notice me, but my psychic talents senses a motion detector. Bounty hunters always leave them outside before they move into a building. Technically, being so close to a raid is illegal. Sure, we didn’t know about it, but that doesn’t matter to Cops. The motion detector will spray us with a pheromone that they’ll be able to trace from anywhere in the City. It only neutralizes if you wash with an expensive soap that most people can’t afford. We may very well be fucked.

  I spot the motion detector sitting on the wall just outside the hole. It will spray out thirty meters, coating us all in a seemingly odourless mist.

  “Don’t move,” I whisper to Hyde. Motioning towards the technology, I remain perfectly still. He nods, holding Lily close and whispering into her ear.

  The second bounty hunter comes out of the building dragging a limp body behind her. Ignoring us completely, she grabs her motion detector and calls her ride. The bike sets down and she takes off with her loot. I’m about to motion that we should get out of here when the third Cop, a patroller, steps back out onto the street. Patrollers work one sector their entire lives. They don’t have the same training as hunters, but they have all the same power.

  He steps towards us, studying us one by one. When he gets to Lily he motions at her with his charge rod. That weapon can shoot a bolt of electricity that will knock a large man off his feet.

  he commands.

  Ignoring a Cop’s direct order is illegal. Shaking with fear, Lily gets to her feet as he takes out a set of handcuffs.

  “I can pay you for her.” Hyde doesn’t sound anxious but his desperation is obvious to me. “A thousand credits.”

  The Cop hesitates as he studies the lanky man’s beautiful suit. Pushing Lily into Hyde’s arms, he produces his transfer machine. Carefully, Hyde takes his credit balance out of his pocket. Sliding in through the black box, he presses his thumbprint onto a small square to authorize the transaction. When the green light flashes, the Cop puts the machine away and turns towards me. My cold expression is reflected back to me in the Cop’s shiny visor.

  Grabbing me by the arm, he pulls me roughly to my feet and has me put my hands together in front of my body. The cuffs click into place around my wrists. The sound is distant; the cold metal against my skin doesn’t feel real.

  Hyde and Lily start to protest but they’re quickly silenced when the Cop points his charge rod at them.

 

  The Cop shoves me towards the gaping hole in the wall. I risk a look back at my companions. Hyde shakes his head in apology while Lily quakes with fear and rage; both are powerless to help me. Still swathed in numbness, I step into the ruined building.

  Following closely, the patroller orders me down a long corridor. I’m guessing this place is a Criminal hideout. A sturdy, metal door stands between the Cop and his payday. The door must be rigged with a trap. When I open it, I die, but the patroller collects.

  My veil of indifference quickly dissolves. This fucker was going to use Lily to shield him from certain death. I love Lily and her brother fiercely. They were my shelter when I had nowhere left to go. Glancing at the patroller over my shoulder, an immense pocket of seething anger builds inside of me. It’s a welcome change from terror, and I intend to use it.

  This Cop doesn’t know me. He doesn’t know what I’m capable of, and he definitely doesn’t know that I’m a psychic.

  I shut my eyes and place my cuffed hands over the doorknob. Clearing my mind, I see the other side of the door. A woman is desperately trying to open a window…there’s a wire running from the doorknob to a sharp projectile attached to the ceiling. When I open the door, the wire pulls the pin, and the weapon is released. I’ll have less than a second before the trap is set off. The adrenaline pumping through my veins neutralizes any and all panic. Turning the handle, I pull the door open, and jump to the side.


  The weapon passes by me entirely and breaks through the Cop’s visor. I roll onto my back, grimacing as he falls over. Blood is pouring out of his helmet. Still twitching, he struggles for breath inside his shattered helmet.

  It’s not a pretty sight.

  “What are you going to do with that thousand now?” I ask as I get to my feet.

  I raise my boot to stomp him on his stomach, but decide it’s a waste of valuable time. Anger still pulsing through my body, I examine the cuffs and pull a small pin out of the flesh of my wrist. It only stings for a moment, which is exactly how long it takes me to pick the lock of the restraints. I drop them on the patroller as I step over him. His buddies will be back for him when he doesn’t check in. We’ve got to get out of here.

  5

  Packed to the rafters and roaring with fights, Braggs Bar is a popular Criminal haunt. Everything is like I remember it: holes in the walls, blood stains on the floors, decaying chairs and tables, and rough people looking for trouble. Heavy dread, thick and stifling, has me hesitating on the bar’s threshold. I hadn’t planned on ever coming here again.

  Suck it up, my inner voice chides, you owe. This is unavoidable. Get it over with and don’t draw attention to yourself. You’re not going to lose it now. These next hours are about survival…nothing else.

  I nod my agreement. Determined to make good my debt to Lyons Emmett, I step into the thunderous main room.

  Making my way through the rough and tumble crowd, I am hyper-aware that I am an easy target. Anyone who cares that I’m out—anyone holding a grudge—will want to exploit my weaknesses. Flexing my hands, I gaze unhappily into the heart of the Criminal underworld.

  The bar is crammed tonight. There’s barely any breathing room. I do as my inner voice instructed—keep my head down, only move when there’s room to, and never look anyone in the eye.

  Two men smash bottles over each other’s heads and roar with exhilaration, making me jump. Stumbling away from them, careful not to touch anyone, I right myself without making a sound. My heart races wildly. Shaking with anticipation, I carefully study one man’s beer covered face. He suddenly throws an arm around his friend and salutes their bizarre ritual with a new bottle. I watch blood trickle down their faces, study their ruined smiles, and caress the thin scars on my arms with a renewed sense of excitement.

  Something within—long dormant—is slowly awakening.

  Lily knows better than to ask if I’m okay, and Hyde isn’t paying much attention. Why would he? All he cares about is keeping his clothes from being damaged. All power to him on that mission, it really is a beautiful suit.

  “Lily!” A familiar voice reaches my ears over the noise. A small, striking woman elbows her way through the crowd. “Lily! What are you doing here? I haven’t seen you in ages.”

  “Theo,” Lily identifies, catching her friend in her arms, “I came with Daryl!”

  Theodora’s jaw drops once she recognizes me. Tossing her mane of thick hair, she strikes an alluring pose. Men and women alike turn around to admire her figure and she sneaks a glance to see how many. Theodora is one of Madman’s high-class prostitutes and one of the most captivating women in the City. I’m not exaggerating. No matter where she goes, no matter what she wears, people can’t help but watch and want her. It’s how her body curves and how her eyes flash, how every movement lets everyone know how desirable she is. With a small, derisive snort she takes in my disheveled appearance. I’m getting the distinct impression that she isn’t happy to see me and I don’t have the energy for her disapproval.

  My best bet it to keep the conversation focused on her. Knowing Theo, that won’t be too hard. “You’re looking good.”

  She coolly runs her eyes over me before replying. “I’m moving up in the world. Gift status all the way.”

  I don’t know how to reply. Her announcement is supposed to impress me. In the world of prostitution gift status means that Madman sends her as a reward to an employee or partner. She’s a possession, someone whose told what to do and how to do it. Theo and I were good friends, once upon a time, and I didn’t approve of her hooking up with Madman. The streets are a hard place, but she could have made her own way. The organization gave her security but, in return, took her freedom. After she made her decision we couldn’t be close anymore—oil and vinegar, after all.

  She’s looking at me expectantly. I manage a small nod. “Congratulations. A couple of years and you’ll be running the operation.”

  My flattery makes her laugh. The sweet, tinkling sound draws more attention our way. Amused at the lustful gazes aimed at Theo’s ripe body, and the teasing gazes she flashes back, I allow myself a mordant smile.

  “What are you doing here, Theo?” Lily asks. “I thought you didn’t have to come here after you got your promotion.”

  “I’m chasing after a man,” the luscious prostitute admits, biting her lower lip seductively. “I’m going to bump into him unexpectedly.”

  Now that is interesting. Since when has Theo had to lift a finger to get a man that she desires? He’s either not into women or impotent.

  Flicking her hair, Theo casually motions towards her prey. I follow her gaze and see a tall, muscular, and ruggedly handsome man sitting at the bar. He’s cut his hair since I last saw him, but I recognize the scar running down his neck. (I happen to know that it runs right down his chest, but that’s another story.) Choking on my own spit, I watch Theo’s dark eyes ardently worship Jace Locket.

  Lily scans Locket’s body appreciatively. “He likes Lenny’s three egg omelet, but I don’t think he’s very friendly.”

  “That’s a huge understatement,” I mutter under my breath.

  “Ladies,” Theo brushes her hands over her hair, “that man knows what he’s doing between the sheets.”

  Ugh. Locket is an attractive man, but I prefer not to think of him having sex with anyone.

  Theo, somehow missing my bewilderment, leans in excitedly. “Madman sent me to his box when he was promoted to General. I was only paid for an hour but I decided to stay the entire night.”

  She gushes on about his sexual prowess but I’m still stuck on the word promoted.

  General? Locket used to be a die-hard independent. Since when does someone like him join an organization? Radcliff was right, things have changed up here.

  Locket must have started working for Madman after I went into the Prison. That means he rose quickly through the ranks, which isn’t surprising. I watch Theo run her tongue over her lips as she devours him with her gaze. It looks like she might run over and tear off his clothes in front of everyone. The object of her lust is listening intently to a small, stocky man. A moment later, he throws back his head and laughs. I’ve never seen him smile before; I didn’t even know he could laugh.

  His friend notices the women looking their way and nods at us. Locket’s blue eyes flick over Theo and Lily with idle interest. There’s always a distance in his gaze when he looks at people, as though any one of them could be his next payday. His contented expression immediately hardens when he sees me. My stomach cramps with anxiety, but I still fall easily into our old pattern. Squaring my shoulders, I return his cold stare.

  “He knows I’m here.” Theo squeals as she begins to preen. Evidently, she missed Locket’s change of attitude when he saw me. “That scar runs right down his chest, you know.”

  “I know,” I say, before I can stop myself.

  Both Theo and Lily let out little gasps and stare at me in shock. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Maybe they’ll let it slide. What am I talking about? Theo is ready to strangle me with her perfectly manicured hands. Hyde’s face lights up in anticipation.

  “How exactly do you know?” Theo’s eyes flash dangerously as she crosses her arms over her chest.

  I ignore the question.

  “Daryl,” Lily cries as she grabs my arm. “I didn’t know you had a past with Locket.”

  “It’s not that kind of past.”

  Theo is staring daggers at me.
“What kind is it then?”

  “Give it a rest.” Hyde is obviously disappointed that he didn’t get to watch two women tearing at each other. “She knows about his scar, who cares?”

  “Fine, then!” Theo turns away haughtily, adjusting her outfit and smoothing her eyebrows. Flashing me a nasty smile, she tosses her luxurious hair over her shoulder. “I’ll just go bump into Jace and escort him back to my place.”

  “Don’t pay any attention to her,” Lily says, trying to soften Theo’s arrogant display. “She’s been talking about this guy for months. Even though she won’t admit it, he obviously doesn’t care about her. Being so beautiful and all, it’s really hard on her ego.”

  “And she’s been really full of herself since she became a gift,” Hyde pipes in. “I’ll be right back.”

  He disappears into the crowd. Lily says she’s going to find a booth until our business is over and then we can go out. “I want you to tell me all about your history with Locket!”

  “Lily, seriously, it wasn’t like that!”

  She beams and then winks, her eyes aglow with romantic notions. Fighting her imagination is like trying to control the weather, you have no choice but to let it run its natural course.

  I sigh unhappily. Locket and I have a complicated past. A few months after he killed Ivana, I was navigating the back streets of Q Sector. Actually, Q Sector is all back streets with open spaces piled high with litter and waste. That’s why they call it the Dump. Everything in the City that’s thrown into a Collection bin eventually ends up on one of the piles. Afterwards, it’s sorted and sold to different sectors depending on need. When I met Locket for the second time, I was out on my very first lone job. Some woman from the Court had lost her expensive ring down a bin chute and contracted a Criminal boss to get it back. Not wanting to send any of her real employees, Alison Diego hired me for a very small price. She found out which Collector family handled the woman’s building’s contract, arranged for clearance, and sent me on my way.

  I’d found the trash heap where the ring should have been. Lucky for me, this family sorted before they dumped, so an employee had already found the ring. To a Collector it’s always finder’s keepers. Watching from a distance, I saw the young girl show it off to the older man sitting next to her. He was smarter than her and made her put it back in her pocket before anyone else noticed.