"Oh, sorry." I put my hands on her shoulders, steadying her. Under my breath, I whispered, "Are you okay?"
She turned, eyes going wide when she saw my face. "You!" She glanced down to the blue band of material on my arm. "You're with them?!"
"Hey – no talking to the prisoners!" One of the guards pointed her finger at me.
I smoothed my face over. "I ran into her – I was just saying sorry."
"Fine. You said it."
"And now I have to pee – again."
The guard put her hand on her hip and looked me over.
"I have a big canteen," I said, pulling my zipper down.
The guard shrugged and walked away.
"You. Bitch."
I turned back to the girl; her eyes were on fire, face flush with anger.
I grabbed her arm pulling her down so we were both squatting. "Shh! Please, I'm not with them." I glanced at my armband. "Well, I am. But as a spy."
She raised an eyebrow. "We followed you here; we trusted you! And now look where we are."
"Listen, I'll work on it. I've lost my powers but I'll find some way to get you out of here. Remember—"
"All I remember was your baby screaming; giving us all away. Once the fighting started, I got a quick glimpse of you hurling a fireball toward me, then running after your kid without a second thought for us!"
She stood and glared down at me. "You remember who you are, and why you're here."
"Prisoners up!" The rest of the chain gang stood at the guards command and were ushered away before I could get in another word.
Who I am? I'm a mother for Christ's sake! What mother would've done it differently? I pulled up my own pants for a second time and walked away with crossed arms, kicking rocks as I went. I took in a deep breath and cleared my head. I tried to put myself in her position. I couldn't very well pick up people along the way and abandon them at the first sign of trouble.
I sighed. Maybe I'll be here longer than I thought. Besides, Bee was safe for the moment, and I could always check up on her.
With my bladder taking up significantly less room in my midsection, my stomach began to rumble. Erika had deprived me of food for fear of it coming back up all over one of her tents.
I followed my nose again, this time to the kitchens. There were several fires going. On top of them lay pieces of meat, skinned and splayed out. Unidentifiable from where I stood, but probably rabbit and squirrel for the most part. Maybe some birds. It smelled delicious.
I stretched, biding my time to observe how exactly food procurement worked. A long line of Elementals held empty plates. They stopped at one table, spoke to a woman sitting behind it, and she checked lists marking something off.
Dang, they’re keeping track. If my name isn't on the list, how am I going to get food?
I made my way over to sets of long logs laid in parallel rows. Several groups of people were eating. I picked up an empty plate, then sat on a log one group just vacated. They left behind several scraps of food. Dirty or not, I put them on my plate.
I walked back over to the lines where they dished out food, skipping directly ahead to the servers, and squeezed my way in between two others in line. "I'm sorry. Excuse me." I looked directly at one of the servers. He wiped sweat from his forehead with his shirtsleeve and frowned.
I cleared my throat. "I dropped my plate – is there any way I can get another serving?" I displayed the dirt covered roll as evidence.
He glanced at the roll, then back at me. "No seconds."
Someone down the line shouted, "Come on lady – no cuts!"
Another person shoved, and the entire line, ending at me, was pushed forward. "Please?" My eyebrows rose in desperation. "I missed chow last night and I'm on a working party today."
More shouting down the line.
The server clenched his jaw, and huffed. "Fine, but half-rats." He slopped a large pile of stew with meat chunks on my plate and added a clean roll. It was burned on the bottom.
I gave him my best smile, showing plenty of white. "Thanks!"
I returned to the eating logs, finished my meal alone, and went back to Erika's camp. I was going to have to figure something else out for food. I couldn't keep feigning clumsiness.
When I returned to the tent, I found my corner cot occupied. A girl, with an ankle swelling up to the size of a softball, lay there groaning.
Erika walked up behind me. "Sorry. You've been relocated due to the uneven ground the night guard gets to patrol on."
"Okay…" I wasn't looking forward to another day of staring at the fabric roof anyway. "Where should I go?"
She turned, motioning me to follow. We walked back outside. "My perimeter is marked off by the blue tents in a sort of semi-circle. No one crosses into them unless they’re new…or desperate." She looked me over.
I’m both, I thought, in case she was wondering.
"Anyway, this one is yours. No tent-mate for the time being, but that might change."
I peeked inside. A sleeping bag and pillow were there. Other than that, it barely looked large enough for another person. I couldn't complain – I'd been sleeping in open air the past year. At least this way there would be no mosquitos.
I straightened back up and looked at her, "Thanks."
"I've also got your assignment."
I swallowed, hard, as the smell from the latrines wafted over.
"Admin. Specifically, an assistant to an admin clerk."
"Oh – ok." I relaxed, having prepared myself for the worst. "What does that entail, exactly?"
She crossed her arms. "Sitting at a desk, reporting on numbers of Elementals, supplies, or whatever around camp."
That sounded like a headquarters sort of deal; might make for a higher chance of running into Shawn.
Erika continued, "They keep pretty close tabs on the prisoners. You know, in case you were curious about that sort of thing."
My eyes widened, and before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around her. "You are the best."
She stumbled back, her cheeks red. "Okay, okay. Just remember – I may need the favor returned someday."
Chapter 27
Tonight
"Reporting for admin duty," I announced to the first person who looked my way once I walked into the cordoned off area. He surveyed me from head to toe.
Should I salute or—
"Are you new? They don't usually send the newbies to admin duty." He stood from behind two pushed-together crates that made a makeshift desk. It was covered in papers.
"I'm not that new." I put my hand on my hip. "I've been assigned as Jason's assistant. They said he needed one."
"Oh, well – unfortunately Jason was injured in that last battle. He's in the sick bay for at least two weeks. Which means…" The man turned back to the crates, searching under the stacks of papers for something. "Jason needs a temporary replacement."
I caught a few sheets that floated off, and gave them back.
In return, he handed me a red armband. "Which means you've just been promoted."
I glanced around the area. Everyone working there wore a red band above their blue. I took it from him and ran it up my arm. "Thanks – I think."
"You probably won't be thanking me after your first day. Here – you can get started with these inquiries." He handed me a new stack of papers, and pointed to an unoccupied crate.
I nodded, took my place and began my new job. In a way, it was more exhausting than covering thirty miles a day. Inquiries kept arriving – and I had to answer them, or find someone to answer them for me. The kitchen needed to know how many days' worth of tomatoes our mobile garden had. The guards needed to know how many more days we were staying at camp so they could work out a sentry schedule. The medics needed more cloth bandages.
Jason was also apparently responsible for daily reports which included Elemental counts, prisoner counts, food storage, fresh water tracking, and more. But for a spy, there was no better place to be.
Someone set se
veral lists in front of me.
"What's this?" I asked.
"Daily chow roster. You need to double check names and add new recruits; then deliver to the kitchens."
I nodded. "Okay, thanks."
Score!
I scribbled my name in between two others. After adding several new Elementals to the end of the list, I left the admin tent to deliver the lists.
I also needed to take the time to check on the prisoners. I weaved around the camp, spread across at least ten acres, keeping an eye out. I waved to the woman who had helped check on me when I was still on bed rest. She had laundry duty. I peered at her hands, wrinkled and white from too much time in the water. I nearly crashed paths with a group coming over the hill, each carrying a shovel on their shoulder. None of them looked happy. I had certainly dodged a bullet with my assignment; so far I hadn't come across a better alternative.
"Watch out!" someone yelled.
I jumped out of the way of a panicked pig, squealing as two men chased it. Someone else shouted for help to repair the pen the animals had broken out of. Behind the pen, in between a staggered row of tents, something caught my eye. I paused, taking a step back and craning my neck. A row of guards stood around a larger tent. The prisoners!
I walked toward the tent, blocking out the sound of squeals and grunts, forming a plan in my head as I went. As I neared, I realized there were two layers of guards I would have to talk my way through. I approached the first, flashing my list of names and folding them back up. "I have new orders for the prisoners."
I have no idea what that means, I told myself. I kept my chin up, fixing him with my stare.
"I'll take them." He held out his hand.
I crossed my arms, tucking the papers out of his reach and displaying my already prominent red armband. "Sorry, has to go directly to the head guard."
I really, really hoped there was one.
He sighed, then miraculously, stepped aside. "Fine." He gestured to another guard on the inner circle, near the opening of the large tent.
I waited until I passed him to let out a sigh of relief. It was short lived; there was still another guard I had to get past. How could I possibly convince him to let me in alone with the prisoners?
Excuse me, we're conducting a short survey with all camp prisoners. Excuse me, don't you know who I am? Excuse me, I’m the cleaning crew.
My confidence was quickly waning as I approached the head guard. He was bent over, fiddling with the leather straps around his boots. I adjusted my red band to make it appear larger and cleared my throat, still having no idea what to say.
The guard straightened, or at least I could've sworn he did. He was shorter than me by a full foot or more.
Then he turned, and my mouth dropped open in shock. "Clay?!"
His beard was definitely longer, and his eyebrows definitely thicker, but there was no doubt it was Clay.
I took a step forward, bent slightly, and hissed, "What are you doing here?" If he had been spying for Shawn all along, I would strangle him right then and there – with his beard.
"Kaitlyn, please keep your voice down," he hissed right back. "If you recall, I was one of the few who volunteered to hook up with One Less after the battle at the caves."
I went silent while I racked my brain. It was so long ago – and the preparations went by in such a whirlwind I wasn't aware of half the things that occurred. "I think…maybe…I—"
"What are you doing here?" he cut me off.
I cleared my throat again. "Spying." Might as well be forthright about it, if he was with Shawn, Clay would turn me in no matter what I said.
Clay's mouth twitched. "So you decide to show up at the most watched place in camp?"
I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes. "I have friends inside." I moved to step around him.
"So does Shawn."
I stopped in my tracks. "What do you mean?"
"He keeps his own people in there, playing them off like real prisoners. They're meant to keep an eye on things; get what information they can from the others."
I rubbed my temples. "Oh, great." Like playing a game of chess blindfolded, this was all getting too complicated.
"Keep it down, will ya? You're attracting attention." He motioned to the circle of guards; a few were looking our way.
I straightened, and handed him the papers, trying to play off my role. "Some of the guys in there are mine. Are they being treated okay?"
He pretended to look over the papers. "Of course – I'm the head guard."
"Are they getting enough food and water?"
"More than the working parties do." He crossed his arms.
"No physical abuse?"
He huffed part of his mustache away from his mouth. "I am doing the best I can here, Kaitlyn. I've been with One Less for almost two years now, sabotaging what I can, passing info when I can. I haven't been caught yet." He handed the papers back to me. "Now you need to go before you ruin all that. I'll catch up with you at chow tonight."
"Fine. Tonight, then. And I want to know everything."
"Fine."
I turned on my heel.
"You might want to consider changing your name, at the very least. Miss Spy," he said from behind me.
I glanced down at the papers I held. Right where I scribbled it, Kaitlyn Alder stood out like a sore thumb. My cheeks grew hot, and I was glad my back was to Clay. I walked off, erasing the name as I went.
Chapter 28
Kaitlyn, Left Behind
"Lucy Evermore," I repeated the name to the admin clerk set up just in front of the kitchens. She put a checkmark next to the name I’d inserted to replace my own. I moved forward in line, not bothering to hide the triumphant smile on my face. The meal rations list was delivered to the kitchens daily. Thankfully, it was always copied over from the previous day – the admin clerk adding or subtracting names as necessary. Sometimes the exact same list was resubmitted. My "name" would forever be on the list. Unless I died.
I shivered as one of the servers slopped unidentifiable stew on my plate.
"It ain't that bad," she mumbled.
I moved on, finding space on the crowded logs. Loud groups of people surrounded me, everyone buzzing with excitement over the gala tonight. Already I saw condoms being passed around. The women were hiking up their pant legs and rolling up their sleeves, baring as much skin as possible.
I hunched over, with my plate balanced on my knees, keeping my head down.
I'll eat and leave, I told myself. If Clay isn't here by then, I'll catch up with him another time.
Tonight was not a good night to be waiting around. I needed to be hiding out in my tent. I scraped the last bits of stew into my mouth with the crude, wooden spoon. I moved to stand when a heavy hand clamped down on my shoulder, stopping me cold.
"Have a partner yet for tonight, sweet thing?"
I brushed the hand off my shoulder. "Yes, as a matter of fact…"
I drifted off at the laughing, and turned, craning my neck up. I didn't have to crane it that far. Clay stood behind me, nearly spilling his plate of food his shoulders shook so hard.
I held in my growl. "Careful, there are no seconds."
He squeezed in beside me on the log. "Sorry, couldn't resist. You looked so worried." He shoved a roll in his mouth and his beard moved up and down with what I could only assume was chewing. "You need to relax. Look at everyone around you – happy, excited. Then there’s you, hunched over your plate, eating like it’s your last meal."
He was right; I needed to be better at this. Starting now. I took a deep breath, leaned back, and put a smile on my face. "That better?"
He paused to look at me. "Getting there." He went back to his food.
I rolled my eyes. "What's the matter, not interested in the wares on display?" Both our eyes followed the bared, glistening abdomen that passed in front of us.
He grunted. "Better things to do. What about you?"
I smiled. "Didn't you hear? I'm in Erika's
camp."
He nodded. "That'll do. Maybe you're not so bad at this."
I snorted. "Yeah – we'll see how long I last." I watched him sop up the rest of the stew on his plate with bits of roll.
Clay swallowed. "So, what's your plan?"
I shrugged. "I don't have one."
"Can't you just, you know, level the place? Take your people back?"
I took a deep breath, forcing back the lump rising in my throat. "I've lost my powers."
Clay started choking, spewing out food. I patted his back. He recovered, and looked at me.
"I hit my head pretty hard a few days back, and now I black out when I try to use them." I looked down, concentrating on spreading dirt around with the toe of my boot. "Hopefully it is just temporary."
Clay nodded. "Probably a concussion. Happened to one of the Fires a while a back. Go see Sabrina; she is the doc specializing in 'power' issues." He paused, burping. "And the baby?"
"Safe," I said.
We leaned back, allowing room for a couple glued to the hip and making out as they passed. I rolled my eyes. "What's with all the sex?"
Clay set down his plate and wiped his mouth with the tip of his beard. "Shawn encourages it. They are briefed on expectations when they arrive and even rewarded for the behavior."
A flying condom hit me in the shoulder. At least it was still in its package. I kicked it away. "Obviously not many babies are produced. What does Shawn get out of it?"
Clay laughed. "Come on – I'll walk you back to your tent."
We walked back, avoiding the larger groups of people.
"Energy," Clay said.
"What?"
"Shawn gets energy out of it."
I thought of the Great Rite, and how it had worked for me. "How?" I stopped, looking around, eyes wide. "Is he here now?"
Clay took my arm and propelled me forward. "Remember what I said about relaxing? He hasn't been back from the boats in days. Busy protecting his stash. But trust me, when he is about to come back, the admin guys will be the first to know – you positioned yourself well."
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