by RaeLynn Fry
“Ethan, I—” but I can't find the rest of the words. In the turn of a second, it feels like I'm standing in a room of ice but sweat is beading at my forehead and on neck. It slips down my back in steady streams. I reach out for his hand. “I don't feel so good all of a sudden.”
Ethan turns around, and I’m barely able to register the alarm that’s swelling in his eyes. “Karis, you're as white as chalk.” His hands fly to my face. They're so hot compared to my skin. He searches my eyes. “Mag, get her some water, quick.”
“Ethan, I don't think—” but it's too late.
The Market around me has gone quiet, and the sun’s starting to go out. Which is strange. I don’t think it’s supposed to do that. I take a step forward, my hand instinctively lacing into Ethan's. His fingers squeeze mine. I look down at my feet; it feels like I’m walking through thick mud.
The world starts to spin. I hear a din of voices, but I can't make out who they belong to or what they're saying. Ethan's hand is at my elbow. Colors dance in front my eyes before my head fills with air. I feel his arm slip around my waist, catching my falling body as he calls out my name.
Then, everything around me goes black.
७
I’m fading in and out of consciousness. I try to focus on the steady pressure of Ethan’s arms under my knees and against my back. My head rests against his shoulder and rolls from side to side as he runs.
Why is he running? Why is he carrying me?
My brain is stiff, as if it's filled with a thick cloth. My eyelids feel like two sheets of steel. It takes all my strength to pry them open a crack. I get a hazy glimpse and see we’re still in the market. Then it goes dark again.
“Karis, Karis…don’t do this to me! Karis!” Ethan sounds scared. So scared. But I don’t know why. I can’t hear any other noise other than his breath being shoveled in and out of his mouth and his feet pounding on the ground. “Stay with me Karis. Stay with me, and I promise to tell you everything.”
I get flashes of images. I don’t remember opening my eyes, but I must have, because I see glimpses of the apartment complex before everything goes black again. The next time I wake, I’m in bed, covered by a dense white blanket. It’s so heavy on my body that it presses me into the soft mattress underneath, all the way to the floor. My eyes flutter to life, bringing Ella into focus. A dark shape paces behind her next to the window. Overwhelming fatigue is the only thing pushing down the fear that’s coursing through my body.
A cool hand sweeps across my forehead. “Karis,” Ella says with a gentle relief. Ethan bolts from the window, at my side in an instant. Ella helps me sit up and gives me some water. “Sip this slowly.”
“Are you okay?” Ethan asks, his eyes wide with concern. His hand slips into mine with such ease.
“I'm fine,” I say in a weak voice. Ella takes the water and lowers me back down against the mound of pillows. I can feel her suspicious stare, but I refuse to meet her gaze. “My blood sugar was low is all,” I say. “I didn't eat much at breakfast, and I paid the price.” I feel Ella burning holes into me with her eyes.
“You're right,” Ethan says, distractedly. He doesn’t believe me entirely either; I can tell. “I told you, you should’ve eaten more.”
“I will; I promise.” It’s too much effort to smile, but I attempt one anyway. Whatever the result, his shoulders relax, and he lets out a breath.
“I think we should leave Karis to rest now,” Ella says.
Ethan reaches up and sweeps a strand of my hair back. Even though he sounded confident just seconds ago, there’s uncertainty in his eyes. “Rest,” he says.
The severity of my mission has been put into painful perspective. I may not last long enough to see it through.
“Ethan?”
“Yeah?”
“If something happens—”
“Stop it.” His words are sharp.
I lick my lips and keep talking. “Promise me you’ll get the medicine to Ajna.”
“You’re going to get it to him yourself.”
“But if I don’t…”
He takes a breath. “I’ll make sure he gets it.”
“When you were carrying me…you said something…” I’m getting tired again. So tired. But I have to ask.
“I said a lot of things, Karis. I thought you were going to die.”
“You said you’d tell me…everything…” I take a few heavy breaths, struggling to keep my eyelids open. I wonder if Ella put something in my water.
He presses his lips together with so much pressure they turn white. “You must have misheard me. You were unconscious.”
“I know…what I heard,” I say.
“Ethan,” Ella says.
He’s hiding something from me. Several somethings, I can feel it. He knows too much about the Inner City and is uncomfortably familiar with too many of its citizens. But do I have time to try and figure out his secrets and what he’s really after? He’s lying to me about why he’s helping me, it’s obvious, so that only means helping me helps him meet his own objections.
Ethan nods and stands up. “Another time.” The door shuts with a soft click when they leave, and I count to ten before I force myself to look down at my Mark with blurry eyes.
The ink isn't as vibrant as it should be. I squint at the design. Some of the lines are already faded and broken. It's a mash-up of the old and new tattoo. A new creature entirely. I lay my wrist back down, praying I’ll last long enough to get the medicine to my brother. Finding out Ethan’s secrets may not be a reality.
I let out a heavy sigh, and my eyes sink closed.
Day six
Seventeen
The room is hot and stuffy. The sun too bright through the window. My blankets lay pushed and scrunched in a knotted mass at the foot of the bed. My head is still stuffy from yesterday and my body achy, but I am feeling better. Still tired, though.
A tray of food sits on the nightstand next to my bed. I look at the plate of eggs and toast and poke them with a fork. They’re cold and stiff. The thought of eating turns my stomach upside down, but maybe I can hold down some juice. I wonder if this is what Kavin went through when he….I don’t let myself finish the thought.
I reach for the glass of orange juice and see a note on a small square piece of paper. The writing is neat and curved.
I recorded this morning's bulletin for you. –Ella
Curious to see what’s unfolded since I've been away from Neech, I pick up the remote and press the button Ella showed me when I first arrived. The television turns on easily.
The picture is crisp and clear. The Corporation's symbol flashes on the screen, and for the first time, I see that it's not gray like it comes through on our old television, but a deep, steel blue. The rings fade out, and in their place is the face of Akin Hughes.
I've never seen him this close before, only the faded posters pasted to the walls of the buildings in Neech. Those posters were so worn and creased; only part of the man could be made out. His eyes, sharp nose, dark hair.
Now, I can see that his skin is unnaturally tight, especially around the eyes, as if someone has tied strings to the corners of his skin, knotting the ends somewhere behind the back of his head. His eyes are the same sharp brown as in the posters, making my skin shiver. It's like he's looking directly at me. His hair is dark and slicked back away from his face.
Then he smiles, and I feel as if I might be sick. It's meant to be comforting, I'm sure of it, but it has the opposite effect. His tight, plastic smile doesn't reach his eyes, and his stretched lips reveal rows of perfect, square, blindingly white teeth.
I settle back onto the surface of my bed and pick at my eggs and toast, telling myself that I might consider eating it while I watch the broadcast.
"Good morning, citizens! I want to take this moment to thank each and every one of you for all that you contribute in making Dahn a remarkable and amazing place to live. It would not be what it is if it weren't for all of you.
“I have a few announcements for you this morning. This is a busy week, as it is every year. The masquerade for my son’s birthday is tonight at the Hall and will start promptly at eight.
“Please remember your invitations. The Guards have strict instructions not to let anyone in without one. I know this is a favorite celebration for most of you, and I look forward to seeing you there.
“I want to take a moment to address some Petitions the Corporation’s received as of late and the addressing of some rumors. There seems to be talk on the streets about a new sickness sweeping through the city. Let me assure you, this is not the case. If you feel like you might have contracted something, please feel free to come to Corporation Tower directly so we can dispel your fears. In fact, we insist you and your family visit us as soon as you can so our Medics can see to your concerns personally.”
His smile is almost too big to be convincing.
“We have also heard your Petitions about the need for increased food supplies and the complaint of inadequate goods supplied by those in Neech. We have taken measures to ensure things will be running more smoothly. You should start noticing a difference as of today. Thank you for your time this morning, citizens, and remember: you are what makes this city great.”
His plastic face is replaced by the three rings before the screen goes black. It takes everything I have not to throw the remote control at the television screen. This must have been what Ethan wanted me to see. These are not the same bulletins we’re getting in Neech.
I punch the remote into the down comforter and propel myself off the bed, muttering about all the reasons I hate Akin Hughes and the Corporation and their ridiculous parties and their stupid horses. I change from my sleep clothes into something from the closet. I’m still muttering to myself when I walk into the kitchen.
“What on earth are you wearing?” Ethan’s question stops me in my tracks.
I look down at my clothes. I’ve put on a red top with purple pants. I groan. “I wasn’t really paying attention when I got dressed. My mind was elsewhere.”
“Are you feeling better?” Ella asks, taking a sip of tea.
I nod, taking a seat. “I am,” I lie. I reach for a piece of buttered toast and take a bite, chewing and swallowing to prove how much better I’m feeling.
“You had me scared, Karis.” Ethan looks at me hard, and I feel an insane amount of guilt at lying to him. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
Ella reaches over the table and rests her hand on my forehead. “Your fever’s gone. That’s good.” She looks into my eyes, the corners of her mouth turning down slightly. “The cloudiness is gone, which is also a good sign, but you still need to rest. You should stay in bed as much as possible today.”
Her eyes say more than her words do. She knows my secret. I’m positive. “I’d better go change,” I say, hurrying out of the kitchen and back upstairs. I find a pair of denim pants and a white v-neck shirt and head back to the kitchen.
“That’s going to be hard to get, Ella,” Ethan’s saying when I enter the room.
I take my seat, expecting the conversation to stop at my presence, but Ella answers. “I know, which is why your best opportunity will be tonight. He’s more likely to make a deal if there’s the illusion of anonymity to the situation.”
“It’s a masquerade, not a back alley deal,” Ethan says around a mouthful of bacon.
“What matters is how D’mitri perceives his environment, and we both know he’s not the brightest among the dealers. He’ll think he has a fair amount of disguise; which means you’d better make sure you have more than enough for yourself.”
“You’re right.” Ethan points with his fork. “Tonight will be as good an opportunity as any. That means I’ll have to change my costume.”
“I want to go to the masque,” I say. Ella and Ethan give me puzzled looks. “This has to do with the medicine for my brother, right?”
“Yes,” Ella says. “D’mitri can provide us with one of the ingredients not found at the market. It’s a synthetic, of course, a bit more expensive, but it’ll work just the same.”
“Then I want to come. I need to feel like I’m contributing somehow.”
“Completely out of the question,” Ethan says. “Not after what happened in the market yesterday. You’re staying here and resting, like Ella said.”
“No, I’m not.” I smile demurely across the table at him.
Redness creeps up his neck from beneath his collar. My stubbornness is frustrating him. “What—no, you aren’t—you can’t—”
“Ethan, you’re being ridiculous, I’m fine. I hadn’t eaten enough yesterday, that’s all. You’re treating me like I’m made out of glass.”
“Yesterday you were. And today you might be as well. I don’t want to find out that’s the case when it can be avoided.”
I keep smiling sweetly. “If it’ll make you feel better, you have my permission to try and stop me.”
He face screws up in confusion. “What?”
“I want to go. I will go. It’s your choice if I go alone, or with you.” I wink at him, and his jaw drops in disbelief.
“You wouldn’t.”
I lean forward and press my palms on the table’s surface. “I suggest you get to know me better.”
“Ella, you need to put a stop to this,” Ethan growls. His eyes are locked onto mine as he speaks. “Tell her she can’t go.” He crosses his arms over his chest, clenching his jaw in irritation. “Tell her she’s being ridiculous.”
“Karis,” Ella says with a sigh, “you’re right.”
“What?” Ethan says with surprise at the same time I bark out a sharp, “Ha!”
“I thought you’d back me up here, Ella,” Ethan says. “She needs to stay home and rest.”
“I agree, she does, but that’s not going to happen, so you may as well accept that and be there to protect her tonight. Besides, having a date with you will help with your disguise.” She picks up her breakfast plate and drops it into the sink. I cringe at the clatter. I may have her support, but it’s reluctant.
“Fine,” Ethan says with a bit of gruffness. “But don’t expect me to be in a good mood about this, because I’m not. This is a stupid and dangerous thing to do.”
“Then I guess we’d better do everything we can to make sure we’re not caught.” I stand up from the table. “Do you have credits on your Mark?”
“Enough, why?” Ethan says with a furrowed brow, pushing diced potatoes around on his plate.
“Because I need a costume, too.” I smile sweetly at him and turn to leave the kitchen.
७
Ethan’s taking long strides, doing his best to leave me behind in the street, and I’m doing my best to keep up. The result is a separation between us of only a few feet.
“Honestly, Ethan,” I huff, “I don’t see why you’re so upset about this.”
“Because you’re in no shape to be doing this sort of thing,” he shoots over his shoulder.
“I told you, I feel fine. Even Ella agreed with me.”
“Ella doesn’t think you should go either, but for whatever reason, she thinks the risk is worth it.”
“You’re being ridiculous.” I jog a few strides and take up a place by his side. He doesn’t even give me a sideways glance. I smile at a couple of citizens passing us on the street.
“Don’t think I didn’t see that look pass between you two,” he says. “You guys are in on something I know nothing about, and Ella was far from happy about letting you go.” I open my mouth to refute his theory, but he cuts me off. “I notice everything, Karis. Going tonight is dangerous. What if you’re caught?”
“What if you’re caught?” I shoot back. “I can’t keep letting other people take the risks I should be taking for my family.”
“I can take care of myself. You, on the other hand…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I’m offended he thinks I can’t take care of myself.
“It means you don’t kno
w how things work in Dahn.”
“And you do?”
“Yeah, I do. And it isn’t pretty.”
“I can’t imagine, that if we’re caught, that I’m the only one who’d be in danger.”
“Believe it,” he growls. “If I’m noticed, I can manage and take care of myself. But if you’re caught, we’re both screwed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? That I’m going to blow this whole thing?”
“It’s a very strong possibility. What if you faint again? If the wrong people see, we won’t be able to sweep that under the rug.”
“I’ll let you know if I start to feel that way again.” For the first time, saving my brother was starting to look like a real possibility. I couldn’t not try everything in my power to see it through.
“I don’t like it, Karis. At all. It’s too dangerous.”
I soften my voice. “Please, Ethan. This is my last shot to save my brother. I have to take it.”
He runs his hand through his hair and calms down a bit. “It may seem to you that we’re only going to some party, but that couldn’t be further from what tonight actually is. This is the Corporation’s party, a public event where they declare how powerful they are, reminding us how we all owe our livelihood to them.”
“It’s a birthday party.”
“For the President’s son.”
“What’s he like?” I ask, catching Ethan off guard.
“A disappointment.”
“Oh come on, he can’t be that bad—”
“Everyone will be present tonight. Even Akin. If he finds out where you’re from—”
“We’re,” I say.
He stops and gives me a confused look. “What?”
“Where we’re from. If Akin finds out where we’re from.”
Ethan starts walking again. “You’re forgetting this is your first time in Dahn.”
“And this is basically mindless routine for you, right?” I say with slight sarcasm. Thankfully, our pace has slowed to something normal.