We all climb out, and my eyes instantly begin scouring the landscape.
“You could say that.”
“Araya, how good to see you,” Wendy gushes as she walks out with several different files weighing her down.
My passengers walk over holding hands. I see Grayson’s hand squeeze Angelica’s when she lets out a shaky breath, her nerves trying to surface.
“I need to see Clay. Do you know where he is?” I ask nervously.
Please be in your apartment Clay.
“Yeah. He’s in the new school with Captain Banner. They just opened the doors the other day, and Captain Banner hasn’t been able to do much else. He’s been very insistent on making sure everything runs smoothly.”
I feel tears stinging my eyes, and then I take a deep, cleansing breath.
“Thank you, Wendy. I’ll see you after while.”
“I’ll have your things taken to Captain Banner’s place,” she says so naively.
I wince, and my guests now have more silent questions rolling around in their gaping eyes.
Big mouth human.
“Not necessary. I’ll need a room while I’m here, and my guests will be staying with me so make it a three bedroom please. I’ll pay the difference.”
She fidgets awkwardly from her slip, and then she nods in acceptance of my request.
“Yes, Ms. Crush.”
I turn and start walking toward the school, and Grayson runs up to be beside me while still holding onto Angelica’s hand.
“So you got a thing for captains, eh?” he teases, and my eyes cut to scold him.
“I was with Hale before he was ever a captain. We were once like the two of you, but even worse.”
“So he’s your counter?”
Big mouth hybrid.
“Let’s stay focused on you. Do not tell the commander you’re a runaway. He’s bound by oath to disclose all information even if he does empathize with you.”
“I know. You’ve lectured me all the way here. I’m good.”
“Will the markings hurt?” Angelica worries.
“Not much. It’s a very efficient laser that tattoos you, and it only takes about ten seconds.”
I see the school, and I hear the roaring of laughter coming from several voices - children I think. Training and learning hours have ended. It should be exercise time. Why is there so much laughing at exercise time?
I walk down the warm halls, and I see Clay standing in the game room Hale had specifically designed for all age groups to encourage children to bond over something other than fear. I smile when I see he’s laughing, and then I get sick when I see who he’s laughing with.
Hale is propped up on the wall with his hands in his pockets as several of the kids demonstrate their dancing skills on a vintage machine. Clay steps up, and Hale laughs even harder at the very uncoordinated moves Clay exhibits. Though I would normally be crying from my own laughter, I’m too nervous to find any humor right now.
The growing knot in my throat only rises, choking me almost. There aren’t butterflies in my stomach, there are full grown dragons crashing around in there, their fire breathing up and drying out my throat. This is so, so much harder than I imagined.
“Are we going in or watching?” Grayson says, jarring me out of my hypnotic trance just as Clay steps off to let another child play.
I let go of the breath that has been trapped, and I begin my slow stalk toward Clay while intentionally avoiding looking at Hale anymore. Fortunately, his back is turned to me just enough not to see me approaching.
