by PJ Sharon
Chapter 12
It was still dark when we stood in the kitchen the next morning, Will and I stuffing our packs with supplies. Under the dim lighting, I added what was left of a loaf of bread while Sam repeated his instructions for the millionth time.
“Do you have the coin purse I gave you?” I nodded and tied a rope around my bed roll, tucking the small purse into the hidden pocket I’d sewn in. “Don’t lose it. You might need it if you get into trouble and have to bribe somebody. Those sharks in Albany are always looking to get their hands on some good coin.”
Will stuffed a change of clothes into a tattered backpack. Sam had generously given him a couple of pairs of pants and shirts. He grinned over at me when I rolled my eyes as Sam continued.
“If you get a chance to shop at the electronics store, don’t forget to pick up those nano-circuits I asked for…and also…”
I cut him off. “Sam, I got it. Stop worrying.” I put my hat on and hugged him. “Everything will be fine. I’ll be back in a week at most.”
He squeezed me tight. “I know, I know…you’re all grown up, right?” He pulled back and I saw his eyes cloud over. “You’re still my little monkey, and that will never change.” He brushed my bangs out of my eyes and looked at me hard. “I hate that you have to cover your beautiful green eyes with those old contacts.” Nora had set me up with some brown lens covers that made my eyes burn and itch, but served their purpose in camouflaging the natural iridescent emerald green of my eyes. “You have the locket?” Sam asked.
I nodded. My throat felt tight with emotion. Sam glanced from me to Will. “I have something for you both.” He opened a drawer in the sideboard and pulled out two pair of dark glasses.
“Oh, I already packed eye-shields,” I said, feeling bad that he’d gone to the trouble of making new ones.
“Not like these,” he said. His eyes crinkled up at the corners. He handed a pair to each of us. They seemed fairly ordinary until I unfolded them and looked more closely. Before I could touch any of the little buttons on the earpiece, Sam stopped me. “I wouldn’t touch that unless you’re planning to set fire to the kitchen.”
I stopped in mid-motion. Sam went on to explain the nifty extras that included night vision lenses, a built-in laser that could either cut through steel or torch a small room, depending on the setting, and a small microphone that connected the set of glasses so we could communicate if we got separated.
“These are going to come in handy,” said Will, who was toying with the glasses and clearly committing the buttons to memory.
“They’re only for emergencies.” Sam’s tone was serious but I could see the pride in his eyes.
“Thanks, Sam.” I tucked the glasses in my jacket pocket and hugged him tight. “You are totally brilliant. I love them. And I promise I’ll take really good care of them.”
Sam shifted his gaze to Will. “And I expect you to take very good care of my niece.” He held out his hand to Will and after a moment’s hesitation, Will met his grip.
“Yes, Sir. I plan to.”
The exchange made me uncomfortable. “That’s enough, you two. I’m standing right here, you know.” I glared between the two of them. “And I can take care of myself.”
Under the motion-sensored house lights, Sam walked us out to the trailers, hitched together and already attached to the rigging behind the horses. Zeph was there waiting, talking with Bo and Pappy who were wagging their tails furiously. Shiloh and Phoenix pranced uneasily as the wolves barked and growled at one another and dodged each other’s nips. When they saw Will, they abandoned my brother and ran to his side. Zeph’s face morphed into a scowl.
“Are you sure you want to bring those two along with you?” Sam asked. “They can be a handful.”
Will patted the wolves in turn and they calmly sat down at his feet, waiting for another good ear scratching.
“They’ll behave for me,” I said. “Let’s just hope they don’t cause any trouble once we’re in the city.” I had packed collars and leashes for them both and would try to pass them off as pets once we were within city limits, but until then they would run free. I had no doubt they would follow the caravan from a distance, not letting me out of their sight. I stopped questioning Maggie and Nora’s ability to communicate with the animals, and if they were here to protect me, protect me they would. Will climbed up onto the cart and took the reins, waiting patiently for me to say my goodbyes.
I turned to Zeph, who was shuffling his feet awkwardly. “You already know what I’m going to say, right?” I asked, lifting my eyes to look up at my brother. Being stern with him grew harder all the time, especially because of the new six inch height difference and the cocky smirk that had taken over his baby face.
“I know…be on my best behavior, harvest the ripe veggies in the greenhouse, and take care of Sam.” He gave me a sideways grin and then hugged me. “You were also about to remind me that I’m not too old to give my big sister a hug goodbye.” He gave me a quick squeeze. “I’ll see you in less than a week, right?”
“Right,” My throat tightened again, as I held my emotions in check and hung on a little longer. He was growing up way too fast, and I missed the little boy who used to snuggle into my bed at night and let me comfort him when monsters haunted his dreams.
“And don’t worry,” I added as he let me go. “I’ll make sure I get a good trade for your carvings. Maybe even that wrist-comp you’ve been wanting.”
His dark eyes lit up. “Those things are totally bad. I’d love that. I heard you can play like a million games on them.”
I ruffled his hair, which I knew he hated, and he threw a lame punch to my shoulder, which didn’t hurt, but I said “ow” anyway. He laughed, called me a baby, and headed into the house. “See you soon, little brother,” I called after him.
Watching me watch Zeph go, Sam hugged me a third time. “Don’t worry about your brother, Lily. He’ll figure it all out. He’s a good kid.”
“I know.” I ignored the ache in my chest and lowered my voice. “I just wish he would let go of the anger he’s hanging onto. I think he’s been reading mother’s medical journals. When we were training the other day he mentioned Doctor Bartholomew.” Sam’s eyes widened, his face going pale. Doctor Bartholomew was the man who had been in charge of taking over the genetic experiments for the Industry—the man responsible for Zeph’s ability and ultimately for our mother’s death. I laid a hand on Sam’s arm. “Keep an eye on him. He’s growing stronger every day and I think he’s really struggling with control.”
“I’ll talk to him.” A sad smile lifted the corner of his mouth and his eyes looked tired.
“I’ll see you guys soon. Hopefully we’ll be back by Saturday. You won’t even have a chance to miss me.”
“I doubt that. Be careful,” he said as I climbed up beside Will. “Stay on the back roads, keep out of the sun, and watch out for thieves. They’re all up and down the trade routes.”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry!” I waved, took the reins, and clicked my tongue to get the horses moving. With the heavy load, it would take almost an hour to get into town and the caravan was leaving promptly at sunup. “I love you!” I called, as we pulled away from the house and headed for the deep shadows of the timber trail.
“I love you more!” Sam yelled after me.
I didn’t doubt that he loved me, but with my heart breaking at losing one more week with him, I couldn’t imagine how anyone could love a person more than I loved him.