by Strauss, Lee
Noah’s eyes settled on mine. “I have to. We’re out of money.”
I shook my head. “There has to be another way.”
“If there is, I can’t think of one. Anyway, it’s not forever. Once I make enough money to move on, we’ll do something else.”
I imagined Noah with Jabez’s beat-up face. “But how?” I swallowed. “You’ll lose.”
Noah chuckled without smiling. “Have a little faith. Jabez will train me first. They get a cut if I win, so it’s in his best interest to train me well.”
“I see.” That was what Mary meant when she said us being here was in our mutual best interest. “When do you start?”
Jabez answered, startling me as he entered the room. “As soon as I’m done breakfast.” He smirked at me when he saw my shocked expression.
Mary was on his heels, all washed up, wet hair slicked back into a pony. I guessed the gym had a shower and I bet they had hot water, too.
I tried to recover my composure. I wiped my mouth with my napkin and sipped on my coffee, like I didn’t have a care in the world.
Noah left with Jabez. He gave me a quick head shake before he went that told me he didn’t want me to tag along. Mary started to tidy up, and I offered to help.
“I’ve got it already,” she said from the kitchen. “Most of it goes in the trash.” She came back and leaned against the door frame, arms folded. “Chloe, can I ask you something about your cousin?”
I flinched a little at the use of the false term. “Sure.”
“He says he’s never had a chip, but…” Her eyes landed on the scar on my right hand.
“Our families don’t exactly see eye to eye on some things.”
“Right. But yours is gone?”
I nodded. “Long gone.”
“Because we don’t want to get discovered here.”
“I know. We don’t want to get discovered, either.”
“I’m glad we understand each other.” She nibbled on a fingernail before adding, “Is he single?”
“Huh?” I was stunned by her forthrightness.
“Jude? I’m presuming he’s single. Otherwise, well, he’d have brought a girlfriend if he had one, right?”
“Um, well, he did, uh, have a girlfriend,” I said clumsily. “And I think he still loves her.”
My heart squeezed. I hoped he did.
“Oh. Anyway, don’t say anything to him,” Mary said. “I was just curious.” She pulled on her winter coat and boots and left without saying where she was going or inviting me along. I sat in the stillness. What was I supposed to do with myself?
I was tempted to sneak outside now that I had no one to babysit me, but my curiosity about Noah was a greater pull. I wrapped my sweater tightly around my mid-section and headed down the hallway. When I made the turn, I could see that the gym door was cracked open. I stepped quietly to it and peeped in.
Jabez’s low voice resonated through the cavernous room. “I have you booked to fight in three weeks,” he said. “You’re going to have to work your ass off if you want to win.”
“I want to win,” Noah said.
They both wore workout pants and muscle shirts, and though Jabez’s shoulders and biceps were larger than Noah’s, Noah’s looked good, too. Their feet were bare and they wore boxing gloves on their hands. Not the big, fat, red kind. Slim like fall-time gloves.
Jabez demonstrated the one/two punch on one of the heavy bags hanging from the ceiling. Noah copied. He lacked Jabez’s confidence, and Jabez goaded him on. He switched to one/two/three punch sequence then the one/two/three/four punch sequence.
This was followed by Jabez demonstrating a front kick.
Noah cried out with his first try, grabbing at his groin, and Jabez laughed. “You’ll loosen up,” he said.
I laughed a little, too. Noah was cute with all his beginner’s awkwardness.
Jabez called out, “You might as well come in, Chloe.”
Caught. Noah’s eyes snapped to the door. I slipped in and shrugged apologetically. “I can go,” I said.
“No,” Jabez said, pointing to a row of chairs set up on the other side of the ring. “He has to get used to spectators.”
I covered my nose, and crossed the floor to the seating section. The room smelled of perspiration, dust and mold. Noah’s eyes followed me as he wiped sweat from his brow. I think he felt embarrassed, but it was his idea to do this, so he’d better get over it.
They continued with the punching and kicking, and Noah’s groans grew more frequent. I couldn’t imagine him being ready to fight in three weeks and apprehension grew in my chest.
“Now I’m going to introduce you to Mickey,” Jabez said. He opened up a control panel against the wall and pushed buttons.
I gasped a little as a virtual image of a man appeared in the ring. He was naked, except for a pair of boxer shorts, and looked twice as buff as Noah.
Noah’s eyebrows jumped. “I don’t think I’m ready for Mickey.”
“Don’t worry. I have him on the lowest level. A five-year-old could beat him.” Jabez told Noah to remove his shirt and then proceeded to place circular adhesives on his chest, biceps and abs. “These are the sensors,” he explained. “In a real fight, the other guy will be wearing these as well.” He added a headband. “Head sensors. Now your opponent knows where your face and neck is.”
“Why don’t they just fight in person?” I called out. “Why the virtual fight?”
“Besides the fact that these kinds of fights are illegal, the fighters don’t all live in this city. Jude’s first fight will be with a guy in Los Vegas.” He lifted the rope. “Get in.”
Noah climbed in, and I could see the anxiety on his face. He didn’t really want to do this. My gut clenched. I had to find a way to talk him out of it.
“Mickey is just a training device,” Jabez said. “It gives you the sense of what it’ll be like to fight someone who’s not actually in the ring with you, but he doesn’t have the same density. Mickey’s punches will pinch. The real thing will bruise and break bones.”
“No—” I caught myself in time. “Jude. Are you sure about this?”
Noah answered by scowling. “Let’s do it.”
Mickey made Noah look like an idiot and I felt embarrassed for him. He winced each time Mickey got a shot at his face, and I think it stung a little more than Jabez had led him to believe. Eventually, Noah started to get the hang of it, and actually got a few punches in.
“I’m turning it up a notch,” Jabez said.
Ten minutes of Noah jabbing at the air and taking jabs to the gut had him bent over and puffing. “I’m done,” he said.
Jabez smirked, showing no mercy. “Same time tomorrow.”
He disappeared out the door. Noah groaned as he stumbled toward the shower room. I wasn’t sure what to do. Should I wait for him? Should I go? And if so, go where to do what?
I decided that Noah wouldn’t want me waiting around. I had the feeling he was annoyed that I’d shown up in the first place, since he’d made it clear he didn’t want me to follow.
Too bad for him.
I left the gym and found my legs taking me in the opposite direction of the living area. Near the end of the hall was another closed door to a room that didn’t have windows facing the hallways. I pressed down on the lever, and it opened easily. Obviously, nothing in here that someone wanted to hide.
I eased the door open to expose an industrial-looking, stainless-steel kitchen with oversized appliances and a long working island in the center. Giant pots and pans hung from the ceiling. A deep sink with a snaky water hose was situated under the window. A massive chopping block had a fully stocked knife set nearby.
Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust and a coat of oil residue from the deep fryer.
More evidence that the factory had once been a busy hive of activity and full of life. So odd that only four of us occupied it now.
On my way back to the living area, I stopped to stare out at the
courtyard. Snow fell gently, covering the rectangular space in a broad, unblemished, bluish-white blanket.
I ran for my jacket and boots, slipped them on and added my hat, scarf and gloves. For some reason it was urgent for me to get out there, to get outside. I wasn’t allowed to leave the building, but there was no harm in going out into the private courtyard.
My lungs revolted at the sharp, frigid air. My breath blew out in boisterous puffs and my nose hairs felt like they were freezing stiff.
I stepped toward the middle, and performed the task I came to do. I fell onto my back and flapped my arms and legs. I stood carefully to take a look at my creation. A snow angel.
It made me deliriously happy to do this again. Like it was a promise of some kind, a new beginning.
I fell again and made another one. This time I stayed down. I sucked snow off my glove.
Making angels reminded me of Noah. The time we were at the commune, when I’d thought we had a second chance.
A tapping on the window broke my reverie. Noah stood there, hair wet and brushed off his face, arms crossed casually.
He grinned at me.
A bubble of warmth stirred in my being, and I felt a smile form in return. Maybe we still had a chance.
The next few days fell into a stiff routine. Noah trained often with Jabez, which left me with plenty of time on my own. Mary gave me a few chores to keep busy but the best thing she did was lend me her glass tablet so I could read her twelfth grade text books. It was handy that she’d graduated a year before me.
In the evening we’d eat dinner together, whatever Mary could scrounge up for cheap somewhere, and we’d watch the election debates. I’d sit in a chair opposite Noah, since we were cousins, and Mary sat on the couch beside him, close enough to nudge him with her toes and pat his arm when she found something interesting or funny. Close enough to make my blood steam. I tried to ignore her. Jabez took the remaining chair.
Tonight was election night.
“A treat for the event,” Mary said. She brought in bowls of microwave popcorn.
Jabez’s eyes widened. “I thought I smelled something heavenly. Where’d you get it?”
“I got my sources.”
We munched happily in the dimmed lights of the living area, the glow of the TV flashing over us. It was just like the movies— if only my grandfather wasn’t the star of the show.
The news carried nothing but the numbers as they came in, flashing large maps of the USA with states colored either red or blue, depending on who won the vote there.
There was a disconcerting amount of blue springing up.
Clips of election highlights were played while we waited, including one of Grandpa V and President Walker shouting at each other, two verbal fighters dressed in thousand dollar suits.
Grandpa had his finger pointed and jabbed at the air. “You are ignoring the threat of the Chinese nation in the name of tolerance to the detriment of the American people!”
“And you are accusing the Chinese government of a conspiracy with no proof,” the president responded. “You’re fear mongering.”
The TV returned to scenes of people lining up around street blocks to vote.
“There’s something about Senator Vanderveen that scares me,” Mary said.
I agreed. “I’m terrified of him.”
“Too bad we couldn’t vote,” Jabez said before popping a handful of popcorn into his mouth.
I knew why Noah and I couldn’t vote, but I didn’t understand why they couldn’t. “Why can’t you vote?”
Jabez’s gaze flew to Mary and then back to the screen. Seemed Noah and I weren’t the only ones with secrets.
The tallies continued to come in. The map grew bluer.
By midnight, President Walker conceded his loss. Grandpa V was the new president of the United States of America.
I had never been more afraid.
Chapter 21
The sky didn’t fall the day after Grandpa V won the election, or the day after that, or the day after that.
In fact, I was beginning to think that maybe this was the best thing that could’ve happened as far as I was concerned. Grandpa had more important things on his mind now than me, more important duties to fulfill than to chase down a wayward granddaughter.
Even one who knew his terrible secret.
I was going stir crazy in this oversized cell, a permanent captive, the only one of the four of us who wasn’t permitted to leave.
Noah and I got into a big fight over it before his morning workout. I pulled him aside before he entered the gym.
“Grandpa is pre-occupied with bigger problems now. I’m going to go for a walk. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Noah dragged me farther down the hall to ensure we weren’t overheard. “No, that’s a bad idea. We can’t chance it.”
“I hate it here,” I spit out.
“You’re better off staying inside.”
“I’m literally a prisoner. How am I better off?”
Noah’s dark, troubled eyes pierced mine. “You’re not dead.”
“I might as well be,” I said coldly. I turned on my heels and stormed away like a child.
After spending an hour reading—or rather, stewing over the state of my life and my complicated relationship with Noah—I suited up and headed for the courtyard. I picked up the snow and patted it into a ball. It reminded me of Taylor Blake and the snowball fight we’d had.
And the stupid kiss that fractured my relationship with Noah. I chucked the ball hard at the cinderblock wall and found a weird sense of relief when it smacked and fell in clumps.
I made another one and another, throwing them with all my might, angry that Noah was getting cozy with Mary, mad that he kept insisting they were just friends and not believing him, furious that he didn’t love me anymore.
“Nice arm.”
I spun toward the voice. Jabez stood on this side of the door dressed with his winter garb on and an amused grin on his face.
“I’m glad to have entertained you,” I said. My eyes darted to the object in his hand. A cigarette. I didn’t know he smoked. I lifted my brow. “Last I heard those were bad for your health.”
He took a long puff, his eyes not leaving mine. “They’re still bad for your health.” He tapped the burnt ash into the snow by his feet. “Please, don’t let me stop you.”
I brushed the snow off my gloves. “I think I’m done.”
He took another drag then pulled the package out of his pocket. “Want one?”
“I’ve never smoked before,” I admitted. “I’d make a fool of myself.”
“I promise I won’t laugh.”
I scoffed but stepped closer. “Of course you will.”
His face spread wide in a full grin. It was the first time I’d seen him smile and it looked good on him. “Com’on,” he pressed. “I hate smoking alone.”
“Mary doesn’t smoke with you?”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
I knew I shouldn’t but I found myself reaching for the offered cigarette and placed it between my lips. It was something to do. And Jabez was someone interesting to do it with. He stepped in close to me and held up a lighter.
“Go slowly at the beginning,” he said while flicking the light. His voice was low and sexy. The swelling around his nose was long gone and even though there was new bruising on his cheek bone, it didn’t take away from his looks. I felt a flush of heat shoot up my neck. He put a hand on my arm. “It’s going to be okay, I promise.”
I tugged on the cigarette, and the smoke bit at my throat. I let out a little cough, but at least the cigarette hadn’t gone out.
“There, see?” Jabez said, his dark eyes bright. “That wasn’t so bad.”
I took another tentative puff, and choked back the cough that threatened. I tapped the ash and watched with satisfaction as it dropped to the snow. I felt like a pro. “One thing I don’t understand,” I said.
“What’s that?”
�
��Why doesn’t anyone else squat here? I mean, it’s plenty big enough for more than four people.”
He laughed. “That’s what you think we are? Squatters?”
I pulled back, feeling embarrassed. “I just thought…”
“We’re not squatters, Chloe. Mary and I own this place. It’s our inheritance.”
I couldn’t stop the shock I felt from stretching across my face. “But…”
“Why don’t we run the factory?”
“Yeah.”
“It made aircraft parts. Engines, propellers, stuff like that, mostly for smaller, privately owned planes. No market for new planes or for parts anymore. Even though we have title on this place, we don’t have the cash to start something new. At least not yet.”
“That’s why you’re running the ring? To save money.”
He smirked. “At this rate we should be able to start something new by the time I’m eighty. No, at the moment, we do it because we like eating. And keeping warm in the winter.”
“Okay, so you’re not squatters. Why’d you let us come?”
“I didn’t want to, but Mary talked me into it. Said that Jude was built to fight. Plus I think she has a thing for him.”
I squirmed at that.
“And,” he continued, “she said the dude was bringing a girl.” He smirked again. “I thought I’d take a chance on that.”
I remembered his cool welcome. “I disappointed you, didn’t I?”
He dropped his cigarette and scrubbed it out with his boot. “You were a little too skinny for my tastes, and a little too white.” He moved in closer. “But I think you put on a little weight since you arrived.”
I had. All the carbs we ate around here.
He bent down to speak in my ear. “And I’ve decided that white can be beautiful.”
Jabez was a good looking guy and even though I wasn’t interested in him as more than a friend, it felt good to be noticed. To stand close to someone.
“Chloe? Are you all right?”
I jumped back at Noah’s voice.
I don’t know what it looked like we were doing from his angle, but I couldn’t miss the disappointment in his eyes. He disappeared back into the building.
