by Patti Larsen
“Yes,” she says. “It happens.”
“Don't you care?” Beckett is back, but his anger is gone.
“Of course I do,” Ever says. “I weep for them and will for some time. But this is our way, Beckett. We can't be who we are not.”
I spot Duet, Poppy beside her. My clone carries something in her arms and I'm surprised to see she's burdened by the two Tek bodies. It would appear my sister is far stronger physically than I am though, I admit, I've never tested my strength, not really.
I follow Ever inside to where Duet lays the dead Teks out on her table, the same table where we only a short time ago ate our meal. My sister's head is bowed, her hands forming fists and I know despite the passive nature of her adopted people, Duet's been created for battle as much as I have.
A group of Teks enter with tools and sad expressions. “Should I go?” I don't know why, but I feel like I'm intruding suddenly.
But Ever just shakes her head as the first body is carefully stripped of metal. “We salvage what we can,” she says, “so we have more metal to save others as their blood demands it.”
Within moments the two bodies are pure flesh, gaping wounds where the sheets of metal were removed. I want to sob over them, to hug them and thank them for their generosity. The boy, I know him, the one who first met me at the doorway, who called for Ever to let me inside. I reach out, stroke his cheek, the tingle surging out of me and into first him and then his fallen companion as I touch her hand.
They heal before us, their bodies producing new tissue, skin forming to close the gaping holes left behind, the boy growing a new leg to replace the cybernetic one he'd used to walk.
Ever gasps, takes my hand, her other pressed to her mouth as she stares at the now complete forms lying before her, still and quiet in death, but healed.
The other Teks stare at me, eyes huge, mouths open. The only one who doesn't seem surprised is Duet.
“Clone Three,” she says. “Well done.”
I hear Antoine in her voice, remember the malformed baby. “I wish I could do more.”
Ever hugs me suddenly. “You've done enough,” she whispers. “Thank you for their restoration.”
I hesitate before I hug her back. “Most people are afraid of what I can do,” I say.
My new Tek friend shakes her head. “You are a miracle,” she says. “Created to do miraculous things. I know it of Duet and I now know it of you, Trio.”
I only wish I could think of myself the same way.
***
Chapter Thirty One
I didn't think it would be so hard to stand at the back of the train, in the quaint little caboose I'd never set foot on until just now, waving at Ever and the Teks as we rolled through the second gate and out of their territory.
The worst of it was watching Duet hug everyone over and over as though she'd forgotten who she embraced. I hold her hand as the gate swings shut on us, sealing them away, the train picking up speed as we move on.
“I'm sad.” Duet whispers it as though it's a great secret.
“Me too,” I say. “But I have you now. That makes it easier.”
She smiles at me suddenly, glowing green eye revolving slowly as she snorts her happiness.
“Poppy's inside,” she says. “Let's see Poppy.” And as she turns her back on the Teks, I realize just how damaged she is.
She's forgotten them already. Which is probably a very good thing.
We spend the morning with the girl and her two charges. I'm amazed in the short time we've had them how much they've grown. Though still babies, Shine and Shade are starting to fill out their coats, ribs no longer showing, bodies round and soft as they bulk up from their steady diet.
Duet's giggles and peals of laughter fill the sleeping car until everyone is annoyed with her, glaring from time to time like this stranger shouldn't be allowed to be happy in their space, but I just stare right back and they don't have the courage to say anything.
When Poppy gets up to fetch some water, Duet goes with her, following on her heels as though the girl might need Duet to catch her.
Beckett mutters something beside me and I shoot him a frown. “What?”
He shakes his head and smiles. “Never mind,” he says. “I should just be grateful for one more pair of eyes watching that girl.”
“You're right,” I say, prodding him with my toe. “Grateful is good.”
When they return, Duet holds an empty can and a roll of rusting wire. For the next several hours I watch, fascinated, a crowd growing, as she builds a puppy out of the materials in her hands, using her cybernetic fingers to tear and shape the tin as if it were paper. When she's done, she breathes life into the pieced together dog, her blood flowing over the metal. It comes immediately to life and barks once before wagging it's wire tail, rolling over onto its back.
The puppies start before barking back while Poppy claps and laughs, joined by the others. I relax a little, looking around at the gathered crew. They are warming to her, though Duet has no idea she's winning them over with the tin-can puppy and the huge smile on her face.
Beckett slides closer as the circle closes in and I feel his hand brush mine, the returning heat of the embrace we shared the night before warming my cheeks. But it also reminds me of what I'd seen, the incredible path of the arrow.
“You changed its flight.” I whisper my knowledge to him, our secret, in his ear. He stiffens, and I know he's perfectly aware of what I'm talking about. “In fact,” I think back to his more than accurate rock throwing abilities, how he felled the buck with one shot, “you never seem to miss.”
I glance at him, see his anger rise, wonder what it means. A war rages across his face until he finally shakes himself a little, not meeting my gaze, walking away to the other end of the car. Stubbornness seizes me, jerking me to my feet and I follow him.
“Fine, you win.” He breathes out sharply when I'm in hearing range. “I'm a freak too, okay?”
It startles me, the heat in his tone, the way he grits his teeth.
“I didn't say you were,” I tell him, while my brain makes a connection. “Is that what you think I am?”
Beckett's shoulders twitch, but when he speaks he doesn't deny my question. “You can't tell anyone.”
There's no one to listen, everyone present too enraptured in what Duet has done. Socrates is trying to lift the metal puppy up to examine it, but it keeps snapping at his fingers. Even Vander is laughing and I rarely see him happy.
Beckett catches me looking and takes it for a promise. “I had the Sick,” he whispers. “But I was okay, or thought I was. Turns out not quite.” He shrugs as if trying to throw something from himself.
“It's called telekinesis.” I'm not sure how I know the name, but I do. “It's a gift, Beckett.”
He lurches away, stalks off out the door to the coal car without a word to me. I'm so shocked, partly by his departure and partly by the understanding he thinks I'm a freak, this time I let him go.
I turn back to the crowd to find Poppy and Duet gone, Shine and Shade too. Only the metal one remains, now still and quiet. The others wander off, the show over. Knowing Poppy has likely taken the pups for a walk to stretch their legs I go after her, not wanting to be alone with the new revelation of what Beckett thinks of me.
The dog is by my side, such a constant I barely realize he's there anymore. At least one of my friends is steadfast. I stroke his ears as I slide the door open and hop the gap to the next car.
I can barely breathe when I turn from closing the door behind me to find Duet lashing out at one of the crew.
***
Chapter Thirty Two
The boy flies backward with a cry, crashing into a pile of supplies. I'm rushing forward, calling for Duet, when I see Poppy crumpled herself, the puppies crouched at her side, whining and licking her face.
Duet turns, sees me, roars in rage so huge I actually fear her a moment.
Loud enough it brings others running even from the main car.
The dog rushes to Poppy, standing over her and his pups, eyes locked on the boy who groans a short distance away. The very fact he doesn't even glance at Duet tells me volumes, though as the door behind me slams open and, worst case scenario, Chime bursts through, I know his faithfulness won't cut it.
The crew crowds in behind, Beckett, Vander and Socrates with them, while I hurry forward to calm Duet.
“Tell me,” I say as she roars again, whole body shaking.
She points at the boy, stares at me, going still and empty for a moment before she settles. “Trio,” she says.
The boy rises from the ground, shakes his head. Spots Poppy unconscious and points at Duet.
“She hurt the girl!”
Chime rushes forward, the expected angry look on her face, but I turn and stare her down, daring her with my entire body to come closer.
For once she takes the suggestion and keeps her distance while I turn back to my sister. “Duet,” I say as though asking her about the weather, “what happened?”
Her rage returns in a flash. “The puppies aren't his!” She spins on the injured boy, but I hold her back. “Poppy said so!”
“No,” I say, still gently, trying to mimic the tone Ever used with her. “They aren't. They are our friends, no one owns them.”
Duet turns back to me. “Friends,” she says. “The puppies love Poppy. I love Poppy.” Big tears form in her eyes, one side pale green, the other her actual ichor. As it crawls down her metal face, the trail is reabsorbed into the cybernetics, but her more human side lets the moisture fall.
“I love her too,” I say. “I'd never hurt her.”
“Didn't.” Duet sags as Beckett joins me.
“Duet,” he says in a voice cold with rage, “did you hurt her?”
“DIDN'T!” She shouts it at him though her face is still distressed. “Never.”
I glance at the boy who looks suddenly nervous. He tries to scoot around us, heading for Chime and the protection he must think she'll offer, but I block his way.
“The truth,” I say. “You know when Poppy wakes she'll tell us anyway.”
He glances at the girl, Beckett now bending next to her, feeling her face, whispering to her. She stirs as the boy's face crumples.
“She has two,” he says, voice whining like one of the babies when they are hungry. “Then that metal one. She let me have the toy, but it died when she left.” He's weeping openly, mucus running from his nose to mingle with the tears on his face. “I want one for me.”
Chime's anger recedes, but she still gives annoying me a try. “He's right,” she says. “Those things shouldn't even be on board.”
“Says who?” I surprise myself with the ice in my tone.
Chime flickers a glance at her crew member then back to me. “Fine, whatever. Say you're sorry, Innis.”
Poppy groans softly and sits up, hugging Beckett while the puppies lick her face. “I'm okay,” she says. “It's not Duet's fault.” She turns and glares at Innis. “He pushed me down and I hit my head.” I approach her, feel the lump, the whisper of my ability as it heals her. “Duet didn't mean to hurt him. She was just protecting me.”
Innis's tears dry up and I wonder if he was faking all along. Now sullen, his little face aged by anger, he turns away while Chime shrugs.
“Show's over,” she says, just as the boy turns back and lashes out at Duet with his fist, a dark, nasty look on his face, full of spite.
It's the last thing he ever does. The moment he touches her, Duet reaches out and presses her human hand to his forehead.
I know even before he begins to scream what's about to happen, but am unable to do a thing about it.
***
Chapter Thirty Three
I force myself to watch, to hear the gasps of horror, to absorb the screams that dissolve into liquid gurgles as the boy is reduced to a puddle in a very short minute. It appears Duet is even more virulent than I am when it comes to the Sick.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.
It's a long time before anyone says anything, but it's Chime who breaks the silence.
“What the hell was that?” I'm certain from the look on her face, her posture, she meant the words to come out with authority, but instead they whisper from her mouth as though she can't catch her breath.
Beckett is on his feet, standing between me and her, blocking off Chime's view of Duet, but not of the remains of her crewmember.
“We can explain.” He hesitates. No, he can't. Not really.
Chime's seen enough to make the connection herself anyway.
“The Sick.” She's regaining volume as well as anger, though her fear feels much stronger. Not just in her, in all of them, so thick I can smell it. “She gave him the Sick.”
Only Brick and my friends don't react to that as the rest of the crew sigh in horror though none of them try to run.
They have nowhere to go.
“It's got something to do with their task.” Beckett tosses his head back, indicating me and my sister. “They aren't contagious.”
“Unless you piss them off.” Brick grins at me. “Right, Trio?”
He's finally decided to tell her. Wonderful timing, though I'm sure he's chosen to do so on very precise purpose. Why did he wait so long to share what he knew?
Chime stares at me. “You too?” She shudders violently, like a dog shaking off water. “You've been with us this whole time and you...” Her face scrunches up, hands fisting. “You have the Sick?”
“Not have,” Brick says. “Just uses it as a weapon.”
If he was closer to me he'd be dead by now. I'd have killed him before two words left his ugly mouth as my anger shoves my guilt aside and looks for a target. But instead he hangs back behind the others, still smirking at me as if he understands exactly what's going through my mind.
Chime doesn't attack me as I assumed she would, doesn't make demands, but spins on one of the other kids. I can guess what she's about to say and can hardly blame her. This is not a good way for her to find out what we are capable of and, for the first time, I wish I'd told her myself earlier, no matter the possible consequences.
Though it's likely she would have evicted me earlier, so maybe not.
“Go to the engine,” she snarls, “and tell Ande to stop this damned train.” The girl looks at her in a daze until Chime slaps her across the face. “Go!”
She does, crying softly, while everyone else still stares.
Chime spins back on me. “You've put all of us at risk for the last time,” she says, voice deadly quiet. “Time and time again, from the moment we met. And now you bring this thing on board,” she points at Duet who stands there, quiet, face quizzical now that she's acted, as though doing so has removed her memory and anger completely. “Tell me, Trio, were you going to ever be honest or just let your demented twin kill us all one by one?”
“Don't talk about her like that.” I pull in the calm, knowing I may need it if the crew decides to act after all.
“She's dangerous,” Chime continues, head down like an angry bull ready to charge. “And so are you.” She laughs then, no humor in it, points at Vander. “You brought a Bright on board. And I thought he was bad enough.”
Vander just shakes his head. Smart of him to stay out of it, though I am grateful for the sympathy on his face.
“We should kill you both,” Chime hisses. “No wonder the Crawlers are after you.” Her eyes fly wide. “You're a weapon, aren't you? I'm a fool.” She sags as the door flies open and Ande storms through.
“What's g-g-going on?” He's angry, frustrated. “Why d-d-did you hit Marta?”
Chime points at the remains. “Ask Innis,” she says.
Ande looks at the puddle, the clothes, his frown turning to shock. “What...”
“She gave him the Sick,” Chime says, not looking at Duet, but shifting her accusing finger toward my sister nonetheless. “And Trio can do it too.” She shudders again, though less violently than before. “
You see what you've been defending?”
Ande's eyes meet mine and, for a moment, I worry. If he chooses to turn against me, I'm lost. But he shakes his head, jaw clenching as he faces down Chime.
“She's been with us for days,” he says. “And no one's caught it.”
Chime flinches, stops. Was she really that sure he'd back her? It takes her a moment, but she finally shrugs as though she's lost her reason to be angry all of a sudden. “She'll be the death of us all,” she whispers. “But I'm done fighting.” She meets my eyes one last time, voice a little stronger, shoulders slumping. “Just clean up your mess.”
When Chime leaves, the crew goes with her. Vander and Socrates move forward to join us, both carefully avoiding what used to be Innis.
“This is very bad.” Socrates rubs his hands together as though he's freezing. “Very, very bad. They could turn on us at any moment, when it finally sinks in what happened.”
I glance at Duet who hums softly to herself while she examines her own cybernetic hand as if she's never seen it before. When she meets my eyes, she smiles one of her big smiles stretching her skin against the metal.
“Trio,” she says. “I'm hungry.”
***
Chapter Thirty Four
I send the others away as I help Duet clean up the remains. I'm at a loss what to do and a little shocked when she simply slides open the back door and uses her boot to kick the crusting over puddle and clothing out onto the tracks.
“Duet.” I take her hand, turn her to me as she closes the door with another big smile. “Tell me about the Sick.”
She shrugs, tries to pull away, but I need to know.
“Dunno,” she says. “Made some Howls die like that. But not the Tek.”
“They were immune?” Odd, but perhaps important.
Again she shrugs. “I'm hungry, Trio.” Her good eye flickers from mine, then back before she leans in to me. “I kept them safe,” she says, and I know she's not talking about Poppy and the puppies. “Will they be safe now without me?”
