by Summer Lane
“Are you angry with me?” Cheng asked.
“Why would you say that?” Elle said.
Cheng laughed.
“Because I have been telling you what to do all day.” He pointed to the dog. “You’re used to a much quieter companion.”
Who says I’m quiet? Bravo barked softly.
“I feel as if I’ve insulted him,” Cheng went on.
“You have.” Elle shrugged. “He’ll get over it.”
Thanks for sticking up for me.
When they arrived at the Chow Hall, most of the civilians had already sat down to eat. There was a small lineup in the back of the room, near the makeshift buffet tables. Elle took two plates – one for her, and one for Bravo. It was basic stuff. Meat, potatoes and vegetables.
“Sit with us,” Cheng advised.
Luli was sitting on a table in the corner, her boots propped up on an empty chair. She watched Elle and Cheng with predatory eyes – an expression that was not lost on Elle.
“Have a nice training session, newbie?” Luli asked as Elle took a seat at the table. Bravo crouched under her feet, gobbling up his plate of food.
Elle didn’t answer her question. She focused on eating her food.
“Well?” Luli demanded, looking at Cheng.
“She did well,” he said.
Luli tapped her fork against the table and started eating again.
Silence reigned for a few moments. Bravo poked his head above the table, looking at Elle’s plate with a mournful expression.
“Don’t give me that face,” Elle said, grinning.
She gave him a piece of her meat. He scarfed it down, jubilant.
“Amazing,” Cheng remarked.
“What?” Elle said.
“You and your dog. You read each other very well.”
Elle shrugged.
“Bravo and I understand each other.”
“I see that.” Cheng sat there, deep in thought, watching Bravo and Elle. By the time Elle was done eating, she was highly uncomfortable under Cheng’s watchful gaze. She stood, returned her plate to the kitchen, and came back for Bravo.
“Meet me at dawn tomorrow at the fence,” Cheng said suddenly. “I have more to show you.”
Luli threw her fork down.
“Seriously?” she hissed. “Why are you spending so much-”
Cheng held up his hand, and Luli fell silent.
It gave Elle a little bit of satisfaction to see her shut up, but she didn’t confirm or deny that she would meet Cheng at dawn. As she left the Chow Hall with Bravo, the sun disappeared over the tips of the hills.
You’re going to train with him again tomorrow, aren’t you? Bravo jogged ahead of her. You like him.
“No,” Elle snapped. “Maybe I can learn something.”
Okay.
Elle shook her head.
Bravo huffed. I don’t smell anything wrong with him.
“What about her?”
The albino? She’s not bad. She’s just angry.
“That could be dangerous.”
You’re angry, too.
Elle paused at the door of Building Two. She looked at Bravo.
“What are you talking about?” she demanded.
Bravo nudged his head against the door.
Let’s go inside.
Elle turned the knob and Bravo darted inside, toward the cot in the corner. Elle followed him and sat on the bed. She was bone tired and sore from all the extra training with Cheng. She wondered why he wanted to help her so much – or why he cared at all.
See you at dawn, Bravo teased, jumping on the foot of the cot.
“Whatever, dog,” Elle muttered.
He was right, though. He always was.
Chapter Two
“How do you know how to fight like this?” Elle asked.
Salty sweat dripped down her forehead, slipping onto her cheek. She grasped the handle of her katana tight, knuckles turning white with the strain. Cheng danced around her like a cat, smooth and silent, with all the cunning of a shadow.
“Practice,” he replied, grinning mischievously.
“No. I mean, where did you learn how to fight like this?”
Cheng thrust his blade forward, straight toward Elle’s face. She pivoted, slamming her own sword into his, a desperate attempt at self-defense.
“Don’t get distracted by words, Elle,” Cheng advised. “Because when you do, things like that happen.”
“We’ve been practicing all day,” Elle replied. “Give me a break.”
“There are no breaks in the real world.”
Elle paused, struck by how familiar Cheng’s statement sounded. It was something she would have said to Jay or Georgia, when she first met them in the city. Realistic and harsh. Honest.
“Okay, but really. Where did you learn?” Elle pressed.
Cheng didn’t answer right away. He slowly lowered his sword, stared at the blade, and then sheathed it. His shaggy black hair fell across his forehead, obscuring his clear, gray eyes.
“My mother insisted that I learn the art of war,” Cheng said slowly. “I started young. Very young.”
“The art of war?” Elle echoed. “That’s a little dark for a kid.”
“My mother was a little dark for a person.” Cheng crossed the dirt and stopped a foot away from Elle’s face. “And where did you learn to be such a spider-monkey?”
“The city,” Elle said. “I learned to survive.”
“And did you always live in the city?”
“My mother and I…we had an apartment in Beverly Hills.”
“Your family is dead?”
Elle swallowed a lump in her throat. From the wall, Bravo whined softly, sensing Elle’s distress.
“Yeah,” she replied. “They’re dead.”
“I am sorry to hear that.” Cheng backed away. “It’s not easy, living in this apocalypse.”
Elle slowly sheathed her own sword. She blinked, getting a mental flash of her mother, lounging on the living-room couch, sipping a glass of wine, her cheeks stained with tears. She saw her father – a small-business owner turned celebrity lawyer – popping in and out of her life every couple of months. Her parents had never married. In fact, their relationship was oddly platonic – or at least it had appeared to be that way to Elle. The only reason her father had ever showed his face was to pay her mother, so that she could afford to keep the apartment in the city and buy the latest fashions on Sunset Boulevard. She thought of her brother, such a great musical talent, wasting it all away on drugs and alcohol, shriveling up in a jail cell somewhere. Had he ever escaped Los Angeles? Probably not.
“Don’t think about it too much, little ninja,” Cheng advised, a knowing expression on his face. “It’s in the past, now. It’s a part of you – it always will be. But it’s no longer a part of your life now.”
His words stung Elle. Yet she wasn’t angry with him. He was just being honest. The truth hurt, but at least it was something she knew was real.
“Come with me,” Cheng said suddenly. “And leave your dog here.”
“Bravo and I are never separated-”
“Just trust me. Just this once.”
Elle looked at Bravo, stationary by the fence.
Go on. His black eyes sparkled. If you need me, I will come.
Elle nodded.
Cheng watched the wordless exchange with a curious smile, then began walking along the wall. Elle followed him, wondering where he was taking her. She didn’t trust him…not really…but he seemed smart enough.
There was no denying that he was intelligent – and skilled.
A deadly combination if he should end up being her enemy.
Cheng continued walking toward a side entrance to the camp, manned by militia guards. Elle stopped dead in her tracks.
“We’re going outside,” she stated. “Why?”
“I want to show you something.” Cheng grinned. “Come on, you’ve got to trust me, Elle. I’m not going to hurt you.”
> Elle wanted to believe him.
The guards at the gate seemed to smirk, listening to the conversation. As if this was something that they were used to Cheng doing. And that gave Elle a bit of comfort. She looked behind her, back at Bravo, and took a deep breath.
“Okay,” she said, wary.
Cheng laughed and exchanged a few words with the guards, and they let them pass. As soon as Elle’s feet crossed beyond the protective fence of Bear Mountain Military Base, she shivered. Cheng was several paces ahead of her, his gait quick and smooth. She hurried to catch up with him.
“So. Where are you taking me?” Elle demanded.
“You’ll like it.”
“That’s a non-answer.”
“It’s an avoidance technique.” Cheng raised an eyebrow. “Don’t be so suspicious.”
Impossible.
The lighting on the foothills was brilliantly gold at this time of the day – late evening. A creek bed ran through a cluster of trees and shrubbery near the base of the hill Bear Mountain Military Base was hidden behind. Cheng walked into the small forest. Elle lingered for a moment. It was hidden from view of the base, and if Cheng was planning on killing her – or something worse – no one would know.
Cheng turned around and stood at the edge of the trees.
“Elle,” Cheng said.
She stared at him.
“I give you my word,” he went on, his tone serious. “I will not hurt you.”
Elle slowly walked forward.
“You’d better keep that promise,” she warned.
Cheng’s lips curved upward.
He walked into the grove of trees. Elle followed, making sure he was in front of her at all times, just in case he decided to pull something. His comment had made her cheeks warm. She disliked the sensation. It was embarrassing and confusing.
They walked for a long time through the woods, the smell of damp earth and creek water permeating Elle’s senses. Leaves crackled underfoot and a deer sprang through the bushes, startled at their sudden presence. It was a beautiful creature. Something sweet and kind, untouched by the devastation of the Omega invasion and the destruction of society.
“Up we go,” Cheng winked.
He began hiking a steep trail. Elle followed hesitantly, keeping pace. They climbed for several long minutes, reaching a jagged cut in the side of the hill. Cheng stopped and sat on a rock.
“Well,” he said. “What do you think?”
Elle reached his side. The warmth of the setting sun touched their faces, but it also touched the rest of the hills. The foothills spread out around them like a watercolor painting, fluid and glowing, golden and velvety. It was quiet. Peaceful. A cold wind rattled the trees and pushed through the grass like an invisible wave. As the sun sank lower and lower, it burned blood orange, and finally disappeared over the hills. The landscape was now bathed in inky shadow. Coyotes howled. Crickets chirped.
Elle smiled.
“See?” Cheng looked smug. “I told you you’d like it.”
“It’s beautiful,” Elle whispered.
“So are you, little ninja.” Cheng propped his feet up on a rock. “How old are you, anyway?”
Elle tensed.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because I’m curious,” Cheng chuckled. “Come on. Answer the question.”
“Fifteen.” She stopped. “No. I’m sixteen now. I think my birthday was last week.”
“And you didn’t celebrate?” Cheng shook his head. “Sad.”
“How old are you?” Elle retorted.
Cheng just grinned.
“You’re a cheater,” Elle snorted. “You don’t answer any questions.”
“That’s because this is my game.” Cheng examined his boots. “Let me ask you another one. Why are you alone?”
“I’m not alone. I’ve got Bravo.”
“I’m talking about human companionship.”
“Overrated.” Elle rolled her eyes. “I had a group. Kind of. They weren’t really fighters, though. I had to keep them alive. I left them at a military base in the desert.”
“Yeah, Felix told me about that.” Cheng shifted. “Do you miss them?”
“No,” she said firmly. “I don’t.”
Cheng looked skeptical of her answer, but said nothing.
“So what now?” Elle asked as the sun set. Darkness was gaining rapidly.
“We go home,” Cheng replied.
Home.
That was an unfamiliar word.
Day three. Bear Mountain Military Base hadn’t killed her yet, but Elle still didn’t feel entirely comfortable there. She stared at the wall, curled up on her cot, the building cold and silent. The sun had not yet risen. Bravo slept near the foot of her bed, snoring softly.
And Elle stared.
She remembered the golden touch of the sun on the foothills last night, and the warmth of Cheng’s smile. She squeezed her eyes shut.
No, no, no, she scolded herself. Stupid girl. Don’t get attached.
It’s beautiful, she’d said.
So are you, little ninja.
Flirt. That’s what he was. He probably said that to all the girls he knew.
She had just shoved the idea of Cheng out of her mind when a hand caught her shoulder and ripped her from the bed. She flew through the air and landed on the ground with a rough thud. Her head spun. Her heart raced. She rolled to her feet and looked around, the shadowy interior of the building making it difficult to track movement.
Luli was standing on the other side of Elle’s cot. Her expression could only be described as feral as she lunged across the cot, her hands outstretched. Elle darted around Luli and ran to the center of the room.
“What is your problem?” Luli screeched.
Elle realized that Cheng was not asleep in his bed. She was alone. And then Bravo was up, on his feet, growling wickedly, flashing his sharp teeth against the moonlight.
“Stay back,” Elle stated, feeling dangerous.
Her hand hovered over the back of her pants, near the Smith and Wesson 1911 handgun stuffed in her belt. Bravo stood between her and Luli. The tall, pale girl stood still against the wall. She held a knife.
“Why are you even here?” Luli demanded. “You’ve been here three days and you’re spending all of your time going on play dates with Cheng? Stay away from him. I’m warning you.”
“Or what?” Elle said, strangely calm. “You’ll kill me?”
“With a smile on my face,” Luli snapped back.
Realization dawned.
“You’re jealous,” Elle stated. “You think he likes me.”
Luli turned a muted shade of red, visible even in the scant lighting.
“I am not-”
“You would kill me over a boy?” Elle snorted. “You’re crazy.”
“He’s all I have left!” Luli yelled.
Elle saw the raw desperation in Luli’s face. It was almost animal, and it was terrifying. Bravo barked – a warning.
Come any closer, human, and I will eat you for breakfast.
Luli’s grip on her knife shifted. She stared at Elle.
“Promise you’ll stop training with him,” she said.
“It’s really none of your business,” Elle replied.
“You’ve made it my business.”
“I’m not taking him away from you, Luli,” Elle pressed. “He’s just…helping me.”
Luli cursed and spit on the floor.
“We all know how that ends up.”
Elle didn’t know how to talk sense into the girl. Luli took a step forward. Bravo tensed and released a vicious, bloodthirsty growl. She stopped. Elle pulled the gun from her belt and held it up, pointing it at Luli’s face.
“Don’t think I won’t kill you first,” Elle replied. “I’ve done it before, and I will do it to you.”
Luli swallowed.
A long, tense silence followed.
The door opened. Moonlight spilled into the room. Bravo barked again. Cheng ste
pped inside. His bright, intelligent eyes immediately assessed the situation.
“Luli, drop your knife,” he commanded.
His voice was soft but commanding.
“Cheng, I was just-”
“Now!” he said.
Luli’s eyes blazed with hellfire as she sheathed the knife. Elle slowly holstered her gun. Bravo remained tense.
“Call off the dog,” Cheng said.
“No freaking way,” Elle retorted.
Cheng’s eyes narrowed.
“Luli,” he stated. “Outside. Now.”
Luli was red with frustration, but she slowly began moving toward the door, following the wall, leaving a wide berth of space between her and the dog. Luli slipped outside. Cheng turned to Elle.
“I’m not sleeping in the same room as her,” Elle told him.
“I’ll take care of it,” he promised.
He looked genuinely sorry.
He walked out, closing the door behind him. Bravo began to calm down.
“Crazy psycho,” Elle muttered.
But her heart was still pounding, her hands still shaking. Luli could have slit her throat quietly, but instead she had chosen to confront her…that made Elle think that perhaps Luli wasn’t as crazy as she thought.
Maybe.
“Thanks, Bravo,” Elle said.
You humans. You fight over the stupidest stuff.
“I didn’t start this fight!” Elle exclaimed. “Luli’s insane!”
She’s mean. But she’s not blind.
“I don’t want to talk about this with you. You don’t understand, anyway.”
Bravo huffed and went to sit by the door, his watchful eyes alert, his ears pricked up, listening for sounds of danger.
Go back to sleep, he advised. I’ll make sure she doesn’t come back.
Elle just stood there, looking at Bravo, then sat on the edge of the cot. She tasted the metallic tang of blood in her mouth. She must have bit her tongue when Luli had kicked her out of bed.
Elle held her head in her hands.
Already, Bear Mountain was becoming more dangerous.
The sun rose, and Elle wandered out of the building with Bravo. Her stomach growled – she was hungry – but she didn’t go into the Chow Hall. She knew Luli would be there, and she didn’t want to see her. Not right now.
