Remy
Ihadn’t had a chance to talk with Linette or Tater yet. I only saw Tater in passing, and we were worked to the bone each day. I had originally scoffed at the early bedtime, but now I realized it was a necessity. I made eye contact with Linette last night when we got to our bunk, but she gave a small shake of her head.Not yet.
Nobody talked much in Primo Town, and it was starting to wear on me. I was a social person. The lack of interaction made me feel weird and twitchy. There was an air of fear surrounding the people. Nobody seemed to be alien fanatics, which made me hopeful that they were like us, just playing nice. From what little small talk I’d tried to make, I’d found out that all of the women were widows now. And all of the children were orphans. The Baelese had successfully broken down the most basic, essential human relationship: family.
As I served lunch to the children, I couldn’t help but talk to them. Ten-year-olds should not look so sad and weary. I placed a slice of toast on the plate of a thin blond with a messy bob cut.
“What’s your name, sweetie?” I whispered.
She jumped a little and looked at me with surprise. The children in line after her watched our interaction with big eyes.
“Macy.”
“Hi, Macy. I’m Remy.”
The girl looked around at where the guards stood, too far away to hear, before saying, “H-hi.”
I smiled and nodded for her to move on. Then I introduced myself to every child in the line. Each seemed eager to get to me and share their names. To see their hunger for attention made me surge with anger toward the Baelese. These kids needed to be working less and having time to play and learn. When were our classes supposed to start?
After everyone was finished, and I was helping with dishes, one of the women who looked about ten years older than me, whispered as she scrubbed a pot.
“There’s no use trying to get close to the kids. You won’t be allowed.”
I tensed and shoved a frying pan too hard into the cupboard. “I can’t help it. I won’t make it obvious. Plus, I’m going to be their teacher.”
Her head swung to me in surprise, then quickly away again. “They’re going to take classes?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure when.”
A small smile graced her lips as she finished scrubbing and began to rinse.
“Remy Haines?” The loud female voice in the doorway startled us all. I turned to see Vahni’s perfect face, hair, and creased slacks with a silk blouse.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Come with me.”
Was I in trouble for talking to the kids? My heart raced as I followed her out of the dining hall and into the back seat of a Jeep. An armed guard sat behind me, watching me. I closed my eyes and let the air blow back my hair as we drove to the palace. Once we parked I started to feel nervous again. I followed Vahni inside in silence with the guard close behind me.
I was led to a double set of ornate doors at the end of a hall, where Vahni turned and surveyed me with distaste. I looked ragged compared to her. My jeans were splattered with spaghetti sauce from last night, and my T-shirt was wet from doing dishes. And don’t get me started on my frizzy blond hair. I attempted to smooth it back.
“You will begin your teaching duties today.”
Oh! Warm happiness filled me. I wondered what I was doing at the palace, though. Some sort of training?
“The children are right inside. Today you will meet them and review the materials. Classes will begin tomorrow.” They brought the kids here? That was nice. Surprising, but nice. I was sure the children were excited about a change of scenery.
I followed her inside with nervous jitters, and what I saw made me stop midstep, my mind reeling with confusion.
At least fifty children, all brown haired, ranging from toddlers to tweens, each with jerky movements. Oh. My. Lord. The small bit of food I’d eaten rose into my throat and I felt dizzy. I’d known that the Baelese were reproducing, of course they were, but to see it . . . to see these future killers freaked me out more than anything had in a long time. I felt ashamed at being repulsed by their young. And oh my gosh, was I expected to teach them? I put a hand over my mouth.
“Is there a problem?” Vahni asked, annoyed. I realized she’d been moving forward and I had stopped.
“N-no,” I forced myself. “So many . . .”Get it together, Remy.
“Fifty three at this location. And do not worry about the number. You will be given a schedule. Reading will be taught to the younger group in the mornings. Math and science to the older ones in the afternoons.”
I opened my mouth and closed it again.
