They were less than halfway around when he heard footsteps approaching, loud in the stillness. Ellie gasped, and he turned and slid his hand over her mouth before she could make a sound that would give them away. “Get down,” he breathed, and pushed her gently to the ground at the base of the hedge. He dropped beside her, shielding her body with his, and the two of them lay there where the shadows were darkest, holding their breath.
The footsteps drew closer. Bensin didn’t dare turn his head, but out of the corner of his eye he could see a pair of black boots below the dark blue pants of a Watch officer’s uniform. The man was walking past the buildings with measured steps, a flashlight in hand. From time to time he swung the beam of the light back and forth across the parking lot.
If he shines it this way, he’ll see us for sure. Bensin squeezed his arm more tightly around his sister’s shoulders, willing her to stay silent. He could feel her little body trembling.
The officer drew closer, and Bensin could see the sidearm in its holster at his belt. I bet I’m a better fighter than he is. But the thought gave him no comfort. If they both had cavvarachs, he could probably beat the officer in a duel, but that wouldn’t help him now. He was unarmed; and anyway, a cavvarach, perfect for close-quarters combat, was no match for a gun. Besides, you couldn’t fight a Watch officer. Not unless you were looking for a death sentence.
Of course, the death penalty was the consequence for a slave who attacked any free person. Mr. Creghorn loved to remind Bensin of that, but Bensin was sure that law wasn’t always enforced. Who wanted to waste a valuable slave when you could just sell him to someone else?
“Is it the Watch?” Ellie whispered.
“Shh!” He should have kept a hand over her mouth. Had the officer heard? The man turned toward them, but he was still some distance away, and it was impossible to guess anything from his expression. The flashlight scrutinized the parking lot, asphalt and painted lines and occasional scattered trash appearing in its sweeping beam. Bensin waited for it to flash across his face, but the officer pointed it the other way, examining the space between two buildings.
And then he was gone. The blue uniform disappeared around a corner, and the sound of footsteps gradually faded.
Bensin released his grip on Ellie and rose to his hands and knees. “Get up, but keep quiet. Yes, it was a Watch officer, and he’s just around the corner. We’re going to stay in the shadows and crawl in case he comes back.”
He led the way along the hedge, keeping its comforting darkness at their right, the open parking lot stretching away to the left, the buildings beyond. They reached the corner and turned, still crawling. We’re halfway around.
“My knees hurt,” whispered Ellie from behind him. “Rocks and things are poking them.” The officer was nowhere in sight, so Bensin stopped to let her rest. “What if he comes back and sees us?”
“If he sees you, just tell him what I told you to say: that you don’t have any home or parents. As long as he doesn’t see me, you’ll be fine.”
“But what if he sees us both?”
“That’s why we’re staying in the shadows. Now come on.”
Bensin breathed a sigh of relief when they completed their circuit of the shopping center without spotting the officer again. He must have gone off to patrol somewhere else. “We can stand up again, as long as we stay away from the light,” he told Ellie. “We’ve got two more blocks to go on this road.”
They were nearly to their next turn when they passed a gate behind which a large dog stood, wide awake and watching the street. Bensin didn’t see it in time, and it burst into furious barking.
They both jumped, and Ellie shrieked in alarm, immediately clapping a hand over her own mouth. “Sorry!” she whispered through her fingers.
“Run!” Bensin grabbed her arm and dragged her past the gate, the dog still shattering the night with its barking. There was a van parked by the curb a few houses ahead. He dashed toward it, sister in tow. “Scoot under,” he ordered, just as a porch light went on.
Flinging himself to the ground, he wriggled forward on his belly, his dangling collar tag scraping over the asphalt and the back of his jacket snagging against the van’s undercarriage. Ellie followed, and the two of them lay there on the cold ground, listening. In a moment, they heard a woman’s voice call to the dog from inside the house.
Ellie reached for his hand as a door opened. “What’s the matter?” they heard the woman say. “There’s no one here. You barking at stray cats again?”
The dog gave one last wuff and went silent. They could hear its owner walking around her front yard, probably checking for intruders, and then the front door opened and shut once more.
Bensin waited until his heart had slowed back to its normal pace. “You’re doing great,” he whispered. “You’re so brave! Mom would have been proud of you. Ready to keep going?”
“I guess so,” she whispered back, her voice tremulous.
They crawled out from under the van and continued down the street, darting into the shadows whenever a car drove by. At last they reached their turnoff.
“I’m tired,” Ellie complained. “Are we almost there?”
“Not really. It’s still a long way.”
“Can’t we stop and rest some more? I’m hungry, too.”
“I’m sure they’ll give you something to eat at the station. But I guess we can stop for a bit if I can find somewhere safe. In the meantime, I’ll give you a piggyback ride.” He crouched low and hoisted her onto his back.
A moment later, Bensin almost jumped out of his skin when a ragged man who had obviously had too much to drink came stumbling around a corner and bumped right into him. He leaped aside, nearly dropping his sister, and wondered at the same moment what kind of kick would work best with his hands occupied and the extra weight on his back.
But no. The man wasn’t wearing a collar, and Bensin couldn’t afford to risk his life by attacking a free man, even a bum. Not when he was already risking so much tonight anyway.
But the bum didn’t seem to care. He mumbled what might have been a greeting and staggered on his way, clutching a bottle.
Still, Bensin didn’t want to chance the man remembering them and telling someone in authority. He crossed the street at a run, darted down another, and turned at the first corner. Ahead, he saw lights and heard music. Probably the bar the man had come from, full of revelers toasting the New Year.
“Are we lost?” squeaked Ellie in his ear, arms clasped tightly around his neck.
“No, we just took a detour.” Bensin spied a dark opening between two buildings. “Look, there’s an alley. I’m going to set you down and check if it’s safe, and if it is, we can sit in there and rest for a little while.” He squatted down and gently unpried her arms.
Spying an empty beer can on the ground nearby, he tossed it into the darkness. It bounced off of something with a metallic clatter, but there was no other response. Satisfied, Bensin beckoned his sister forward. “Okay, let’s go in.”
The metal object turned out to be a trashcan, which Bensin bumped into and nearly knocked over in the dark. Wincing at the loud clang, he sat down behind it and pulled Ellie down beside him. It smelled none too pleasant, and he didn’t want to think about how filthy the ground probably was. But at least no one would see them. “We can rest for a few minutes. Not too long, though.”
“Can I hold Bunny?”
“Of course.” He pulled the toy out of his pocket and handed it over. Freeing his feet once more, he rested them carefully on top of his shoes so he wouldn’t dirty his socks with whatever was underfoot. He massaged his sore toes. I’m going to have blisters after this for sure.
Ellie settled the crocheted rabbit on her lap and stroked it as though it were a real animal. “Don’t worry, Bunny,” he heard her whisper. “We’ll be okay. At least me and you will still be together.”
She leaned against Bensin’s shoulder. In a few minutes he felt her relax, and her breathing grew regular.
Lightning flickered overhead, illuminating bulging layers of cloud. It must be a good sign. Ellie’s life is going to change tonight, Bensin reminded himself. It won’t be much longer now.
Several times he heard people walk past the mouth of their alley, some talking loudly and drunkenly. Nobody ventured in, though, and Bensin was confident he had chosen a safe hiding place. Still, they couldn’t wait around too long. He had to drop Ellie off at the City Watch station and get home before morning.
Finally he pulled his shoes back on and shook his sister awake. “Come on, Ellie. We can’t sit here all night.”
“I’m sleepy,” she protested as he pulled her to her feet. “I don’t wanna go any farther. I wanna go to bed.”
“The Watch officers will give you a nice, warm, comfortable bed to sleep in as soon as we get to the station. And something to eat,” he promised, hoping he was right. “Now let me put Bunny back in my pocket, and let’s go.”
“No. I wanna hold Bunny.”
She was being stubborn, and he didn’t bother arguing. “All right, but if we have to run and you drop him, we might not be able to go back.”
“I won’t drop him.”
At the mouth of the alley, he paused to glance both ways before venturing out. Almost immediately, a flashlight beam from across the street sliced through the darkness. Bensin jumped back, nearly tripping over his sister. “Get back! Get back!” He pushed her behind the trashcan once more.
“What is it? Is it another Watch officer?” she whimpered, wide awake now.
“I think so.” Crouching, Bensin peered out from behind the trashcan. He was horrified to see a uniformed officer crossing the street toward them, his flashlight beam playing back and forth across the alley entrance. “He must have heard us. We have to get further back. Maybe there’s another way out of here.” He grabbed her hand and dragged her after him, still crouching low. Another trashcan loomed, and he dodged just in time. Darting behind it, he was dismayed to find that they had reached a dead end. Could they climb the wall?
“Who’s back there?” called a stern voice from the alley entrance. A beam of light illuminated the dirty ground just to their right and the brick wall behind them.
We can’t get over the wall without him seeing us. On his own, Bensin might be able to shimmy over and flee down the next street without getting caught or shot. But with Ellie, his chances were much smaller. Besides, there were probably more officers nearby, especially considering that this was a neighborhood with a bar. He could call for backup, and before we know it we’ll be in the middle of a manhunt. Bensin had seen such things on TV when the Creghorns watched the news.
There’s only one way out of this. “Ellie,” Bensin whispered through a sudden terrified tightness in his throat, “it’s time for you to do what we talked about. The man won’t hurt you. Go tell him your parents are dead and you have nowhere to live.”
“You mean — go out there all alone?” she gasped.
“I know you’re there,” called the officer. “Come out, whoever you are.”
Bensin clenched his fists in anguish. How could he send his little sister to face a Watch officer by herself? The man had a gun, for the emperor’s sake! If he couldn’t escape with her, his instincts screamed that he had to protect her in any way he could — with his own life, if necessary. Certainly not hide in the shadows and send her out to face an armed man alone.
But Bensin couldn’t forget his mother’s words that day he had visited her in the hospital. “Slavery is worse for girls, Bensin. Their owners think they can do anything they want with them. Promise me you’ll look after Ellie as much as you can. Teach her to be strong and brave.”
And Bensin, tears in his eyes at the frightening sight of Mom so pale and weak on her hospital bed, had looked down at the red, wrinkly bundle that was his little sister and promised. “I will, Mom. I’ll take care of care of her no matter what.” As an afterthought, he had added, “And someday she’ll be free. I’ll make sure of it, I promise. I promise!”
And this was his last chance to keep that promise. The Creghorns would be taking Ellie to get her collar any day now, and she would never escape after that.
“Come out with your hands in the air!” the officer called. He sounded closer. He must be stepping into the alley, though probably he didn’t want to venture too far in until he knew how many possible enemies were lurking back here.
“Go, Ellie,” Bensin whispered, trying to make his voice encouraging. “It’s time for you and Bunny to get a new home. Step out where the man can see you and say what I told you to say. And make sure you don’t let him know I’m here.”
She gave a frightened little whimper but obeyed. Rising to her feet, she took a shaky step forward, Bunny clutched to her chest like a life preserver.
Bensin had never felt like such a loser.
Chapter Two: Not Worth It
“What are you doing back here?” the Watch officer demanded, his flashlight beam playing over Ellie’s small form.
“I-I-I don’t have a mom and dad,” Ellie squeaked, “and I don’t have a place to live.”
“Come on out here.”
She obeyed, disappearing from Bensin’s sight. Heart pounding, he leaned his head against the rough brick wall behind him. Did I do the right thing? Will this work? Will I ever see her again?
“Who’s back there with you?” the officer questioned.
“N-no one, sir.”
He had forgotten to tell her not to call people ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’. A free kid wouldn’t use those words. Bensin bit his lip, hoping his plan hadn’t just been ruined.
He could hear the frown in the officer’s voice. “I heard someone back there. Someone bigger than you.” There was a pause, and then he spoke again. He must have lowered his voice or stepped further away, though, because Bensin couldn’t make out the words. But he seemed to be speaking into a radio because in a moment there was a crackling response, and Bensin caught the word “roger”.
He’s probably calling for backup. Great. Bensin turned again to examine the wall behind him. But the flashlight beam was once more swinging back and forth through the darkness, illuminating the bricks, and he knew he would be seen the moment he moved out from behind the trashcan.
“You in there. Come out with your hands in the air,” called the officer again.
Does he really know I’m here? Or is he just guessing? Bensin wavered. Will he charge in shooting if I don’t come out?
His answer came in the form of a gunshot, much closer than any he had ever heard before. Bensin jumped as the deafening BANG echoed off the walls around him.
Ellie screamed. “No! Please don’t shoot him!” There was terror in her voice.
“This is your last warning,” began the officer, but Bensin had already raised his arms and risen to his feet. Once his sister was scared, who knew what she would do or say? He had better come out before she ruined their plan. Though it was probably ruined already, unless he could think of something fast.
The flashlight shone in his face, blinding him. He stood still with his hands in the air, squinting, knowing the officer had seen his collar and probably already guessed the whole situation, or close enough. What can I say that will still make this work for Ellie?
“Come out here. Slowly,” the officer barked. “Keep your hands up.”
Nodding to show he was going to cooperate, Bensin wove his way around the trashcans, his arms in the air and his eyes lowered. His heart was still pounding as he tried to think what to do. Don’t say anything else, Ellie, he begged silently. One careless word from her could spoil everything.
There were two officers now, both with guns in hand. Ellie stood between them, looking small and scared, Bunny still clutched to her chest. Just down the street he could see their Watch car, yellow lights flashing from the roof. “Hands against the wall,” yelled the second officer, probably trying to intimidate him. He gestured with his gun to the wall at the side of the alley.
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“Yes, sir.” It was always best to let people know right from the beginning that you weren’t going to cause them any trouble. Ricky had taught him that, too. Bensin turned and placed his hands, still raised above his head, on the rough brick. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the second officer approaching, and then a firm hand grasped the back of his neck and shoved his face against the wall with far more force than necessary. He winced, knowing he would have a bruise on his forehead tomorrow. As if one bruise was going to matter by the time this was over. He didn’t move as the man patted him down, searching for concealed weapons, and then seized his collar and turned it around to examine the tag that hung from the front. “Bensin, property of Cley and Hilda Creghorn,” he read out loud.
“Yes, sir,” Bensin agreed, still trying to make it clear he was going to cooperate.
“And you don’t have a pass.”
“N-no, sir.”
The man spun him around by the shoulder, and Bensin turned to see the gun pointed at him once more, its barrel inches from his chest. Instinctively, his mind flicked through half a dozen possible moves for defending against an opponent standing this close. But all the moves he knew were intended for an opponent wielding a cavvarach, not a gun. Besides, it would be stupid to try anything.
“You know the penalty for attempted escape, Bensin?”
“Yes, sir. But if you please, sir, I wasn’t trying to escape. I was trying to help this little girl get to the Watch station. She’s been living on the streets, and —”
“Enough.” The man poked him in the ribs with the muzzle of his weapon. “You’ll both answer all our questions at the station. Now get over to the car, and don’t try anything.” He shifted his grip to Bensin’s wrist, pulling Bensin’s arm up and behind his back at an uncomfortable angle as he pushed him toward the car.
A quick glance over his shoulder showed the first officer goading Ellie ahead of him more gently. Bensin’s heart was still pounding. Did she hear what I said about her living on the streets and me trying to help her? Will she play along with that when they question her?
The Collar and the Cavvarach Page 2
