Ghetto

by M L Sparrow

  “I thought I could trust my right hand man to handle shit.”

  “Yeah, well obviously not,” Ben snarls back.

  “Okay children,” I hold both hands up for a ceasefire, “stop. Sin, Ben did everything he could and he managed to stop them from charging straight out into the city guns blazing, so he deserves points for that. Now, we really need to get back to the Ghetto and make sure they’re not going to do anything else.” Ben and Sin glare at each other a moment longer before nodding.

  Having made arrangement to meet us back here in a few of hours, Colt drops us off at one of the many hidden entrances to the Ghetto and drives away. It takes us less than half-an-hour to reach our destination, where we climb out and head towards Base. Several times we’re stopped in the street so that people can hug Sin, much to his discomfort, and offer their congratulations that he’s still alive. When we reach Base, Sin pushes open the door with a sense of relief; perhaps he thought the place would have crumbled to rubble in his absence. Inside, we head towards the common room, where raised voices can be heard drifting out into the hallway.

  “But the President said they’d release anyone not guilty of a crime.”

  “What about the rest of us?” That’s Lloyd’s voice, loud and obnoxious, “Do we deserve to rot here?”

  “You’re a bloody rapist,” someone spits, “you deserve to die. I took some rich idiots hover-board for a joyride!”

  “Are they gunna keep us here, even if we only did some’it little?”

  Stepping into the room, all eyes turn to us and the questions cease for a moment before everyone starts talking at once. Sin holds up a hand to stop the flood of words, ordering, “One at a time.”

  After the Q and A session, during which Sin points out numerous times that gaining freedom will be a slow process, starting with getting the completely innocent out of the Ghetto and later progressing to reducing the sentences of people who’ve committed petty crimes, everyone filters out of the common room, still whispering about the events of the day. He also points out that using their illegally acquired guns now would be a step backwards, it could jeopardize everything they’ve gained in the last few hours. Lloyd also tried to put his two cents in several time, slowly turning a ruddy shade of red every time Sin dismisses him as insignificant, and in the end Sin simply orders him from the room, making sure everyone knows he is now nothing to do with the rebel organisation and anyone found to be working with him will be thrown out, too.

  When everyone’s left and we’re once again alone with Maya, Ben and Kit, Sin turns to Ben. “We need to get rid of those guns. I don’t trust Lloyd not to do anything stupid.”

  “What do you want done with them?”

  “You could send them back to the city as a good will gesture,” I suggest.

  Sin considers this for a second, before nodding sharply. “It’s a good idea. Do that.”

  “But you’ll want to get a message out to the press first, so that they can report on it before my dad tries to cover it up.”

  “Put them under guard for the time being then, until we’ve set somethin’ up. Kit, get word to Joel and ask him to do it.”

  “There’s no need for that, I can talk to the press when we go back. Better yet, I’m sure Colt has connections.” All of a sudden, Sin can’t seem to meet my gaze and alarm bells start going off in my head. “Sin, what’s going on?”

  “I’m not goin’ back, I can’t just leave everythin’ here. There’s still work to do.” I can understand that, but I still don’t like it. Maybe I’m just selfish, wishing he’d abandon the people who need him for me. For once I’m at a loss for words, because I know what I want goes against what is right.

  But as it turns out, I don’t need to say anything, because Ben speaks up. “I can handle things here, you should go back to the city and help from there.”

  “Not that Sunny isn’t doing a great job,” Maya adds, glancing at me, “but it does make sense to have one of our own on the outside. And everyone knows your story now, so they’ll be sympathetic.”

  “That’s a good idea,” I add, sounding desperate even to my own ears, “you’re a figurehead now, people will rally behind you.”

  Eyes narrowed, Sin pins Ben with a hard stare. “Can you handle it?”

  Lips pressed together, Ben nods firmly. “I know I dropped the ball this time, but it won’t happen again.”

  “And if it does?”

  “I’m sure you’ll visit to make sure I don’t screw up,” Ben answers wryly. Sin looks unconvinced. Sighing, Ben drags a hand down his face, before letting it drop back to his side. “Look, man, I’m stayin’ here. I beat up my stepdad, they ain’t lettin’ me out anytime soon, but you got the chance to live your life. Ain’t right that you should be stuck here when I can handle this. Go make us some powerful friends and I’ll hold the fort.”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “How about a trial run then?”

  Sins’ head tilts to the side as he considers this. “One week.”

  “Four. You gotta give me half a chance to get stuff straightened out.”

  “Fine, let’s see how it goes.”

  My relief is tangible and I can’t help but smile when he looks over at me. In his eyes I can see the same emotion flashing back at me, but beyond that is fear and suddenly I realize how scary and strange this must be for him; the Ghetto is the only home he’s ever known, relocating to the city must be as terrifying for him as it was for me to adjust the Ghetto.

  Once everything has been sorted out, Kit and Maya escort us out, with Maya chatting happily the whole way, however, when we reach the exit back into the city her eyes tear up as she pulls me into a hug.

  “You realize I’m coming back soon, right?”

  “That’s what you say, but this goodbye feels so final.”

  I grin at her pouty face as I draw back to look her in the eye. “Don’t be silly, I’m not going to abandon my best friend.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise,” I laugh, giving her a little shake, before Kit pulls her away.

  Climbing out onto the street under the cover of darkness, we find Colt waiting just down the road, where we had agreed to meet, leaning against a car. As we walk towards him, I press the button on my watch and the hologram with the time appears, causing me to wince inwardly. We’re almost an hour late.

  “Hey, Colt,” I say once we’re close enough for him to hear me, “sorry we’re so late.”

  “Don’t worry about it, I’m sure you had a lot to sort out. I brought something to read anyway,” he answers, holding up a book. It still amazes me that he actually reads paperbacks, since they’re so expensive; no new books had been published in mass since 2091 due to a shortage of trees and you now needed a special license to cut one down. “Are you two ready to go home now?”

  I glance over my shoulder at Sin, then back at Colt. “Actually, would you mind if we make a quick stop on the way?”

  “Of course not. Do you need to collect some more of your stuff?”

  “Oh, no, it’s not that. I’d like to stop off at Dr Wongs’ clinic.”

  Grabbing my arm, Sin spins me around to face him, concern etched on his face, “You feelin’ ill again?”

  “No, it’s nothing to worry about,” I assure him, lifting a hand to cup his cheek before sliding it into his shaggy blonde hair. Eyes narrowed, he scans my face for long moments, trying to detect a lie. In the end, he just nods, pressing a hand against my lower back to urge me into the car.

  When we’re all seated, I reach over and type in the address, before settling back into my seat between the two men, who both watch silently out of the windows as we drive. With an arm stretched out along the back of the seats behind my head, Sin plays idly with a loose strand of my hair, his fingers occasionally straying to run lightly up and down my neck. Leaning into his side, I glance over at Colt to catch him studying us, expression guarded. I offer him a tentative smile and his lips tip up in response
. It’s a half smile I recognise, which only reinforces my belief that I’m right about Sins’ parentage.

  After a short drive, we pull up outside the clinic. Inside, I walk up to the reception desk, where a girl with short, bright blue hair sits, and ask, “Is Dr Wong available?”

  “We just finished for the day,” she replies curtly, not even bothering to look up from the Tab she’s reading from.

  “Has he gone home yet?”

  “He’s just finishing write-ups.”

  “Okay.” I smile brightly at the top of her bend head and push away from the desk, striding down the hall. “I’ll just go talk to him.”

  Her head snaps up. “You can’t go back there! You need an appointment.”

  “It’s fine, he’ll want to see me,” I say breezily, mostly just to annoy her, “I’m his favourite patient.” Outside Dr Wongs’ door, I knock as a courtesy, then enter quickly, before the receptionist can catch me; even as I step into the room she’s right behind me.

  “I’m sorry, doctor, she just barged in.”

  Looking slightly startled by us all suddenly bursting into his office, Dr Wong looks between the two of us before pushing his chair back slightly from the desk. “It’s okay, Lulu, I’ll see her.”

  Shooting me an evil look, the girl huffs and spins on her heels, marching out of the room with her head held high, radiating indignation. Once she’s out of the way, Sin and Colt step through the open doorway, the door closing behind them.

  “Sit down, dear, we’ll get you fixed up in no time,” Dr Wong says, all business as he levers himself stiffly out of the chair and waves me over to the examination chair.

  I almost laugh. “It’s not me, I need you to confirm” – or hopefully disprove – “a blood test.”

  “Are you sure?” he frowns, peering at me, “you’re looking a little pale.” Instantly, I can feel Sins’ eyes on me.

  “I’m ginger, pale goes with the territory.” No one laughs. I sigh, fixing my eyes on Sin and holding his gaze as I say, “Seriously guys, if I start to feel unwell, I’ll come to the doctor.” Taking Sins’ arm, I give him a little push in the direction of the chair and turn back to Dr Wong. “Now, would you mind taking both their blood and comparing it to see if they’re related?”

  “Sunny, this really isn’t necessary, the test already came back negative,” Colt says.

  “Yeah, but I know it’s wrong and I wouldn’t put it past my dad to lie about the results, he must have known you’d ordered the test.”

  “Someone tell me what the hell’s goin’ on,” Sin snaps, drawing everyone’s’ eyes to him, his face creased with a frown and steel eyes guarded.

  Wincing, I go over to stand beside him, curling my fingers around his arm. I’m not sure how to say it sensitively, so I just blurt out, “There’s a possibility that Colt could be your grandfather.” Sin doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t even blink. Slowly, his gaze turns from me to Colt. An unspoken conversation appears to be going on between them.

  After a moment, Colt says firmly, “I’d be proud to call you my grandson.”

  Sins’ expression isn’t convinced, but after a moment he glances down at me. “Let’s get this over with.” Going to sit on the edge of the exam chair, he watches warily as the doctor gathers the necessary equipment.

  Syringe in hand, Dr Wong comes over and I go to sit next to Sin on the chair, taking his right hand in mine as he stretches out his other arm. “Okay then, let’s do this and I’ll do the test myself.”

  Jaw and fists clenched, Sin looks away as the needle sinks into his arm, his hand grips mine painfully tight. I wince and he loosens his hold, stroking his thumb over the back of my hand in a silent apology. Since Sin can’t, I watch as rich, red blood fills the transparent container.

  Once it’s full, Dr Wong pulls it out and applies a cotton ball to the tiny needle wound. “Hold it there,” he instructs, before turning to Colt and pointing towards the guest chair. “Please, take a seat.” As he goes to unwrap another syringe from its packaging, Colt shrugs out of his jacket and sits down in the indicated chair, rolling one sleeve up over the elbow.

  The blood is taken quickly and then Dr Wong labels both samples and leaves the room, telling us he’d be back in twenty minutes. For a while no one says a word. The silence is killing me, but I bite my lip against the words that want to sneak out because it’s not my place to speak; they need to sort this out themselves.

  Much to my surprise, it’s Sin who breaks the silence. “Why would you want me as part of your family, it ain’t exactly like I’d raise ya social standing.”

  Leaning forward slightly, Colt answers without hesitation, “I’m an old man and I care little for social standing, but even if I did care, I have enough money for people to swallow any disapproval they may have. The elite are a very fickle species. And as for why I’d want you, well, from what I’ve seen you’re a damn fine man, good morals, and you’ve worked a lot harder to get there than most men I know.”

  “You don’t know me,” Sin says sharply, “I’m not a good man.”

  Colt nods in my direction. “Do you think she’d be stupid enough to love a bad man?”

  “Maybe she doesn’t know me either.”

  “Maybe not,” I concede, “but I know enough to know that I want to spend the rest of my life learning every little thing about you.”

  “Forever’s a long time, you’ll get bored of my shit.”

  “Probably, but I’m sure we’ll fight it out.” He scowls at me and I arch a brow, adding warningly, “If you don’t stop looking at me like that we’ll start right now.”

  If anything his scowl only deepens. I realize too late that snapping at him probably wasn’t the wisest thing to do; I should know by now that he doesn’t respond well to ultimatums, all they do is make him fight harder. Squeezing his fingers, since our hands are still clasped, I try again, “Really, what this all boils down to is whether or not you want to be with me? You once said if things were different you could love me for the rest of your life, well thing are different now, so the choice is yours. What’s it going to be?”

  Clearing his throat, Colt stands, “I’ll give you two a moment alone.”

  “No need,” Sin says sharply and my stomach sinks, heart beating faster. What if he’s changed his mind? Why would he want me when he’s got a whole city full of women to explore? Looking down at me, his expression doesn’t soften, but his eyes do. “I choose you, how could I not?”

  I smile, “For a moment there you really had me going.”

  He doesn’t smile back; I know the expression is new to him, but it’s still a shame. “I don’t want you to end up regrettin’ it,” he states solemnly. Something inside me melts a little in response.

  “Maybe we won’t spend the rest of our lives together, but the only thing I’d regret is if we didn’t try.”

  “Let’s give it a shot then.”

  “Agreed.” I turn our hand holding into a handshake and his finger curl firmly around the back of my hand as he gives it a firm pump. This time he does smile, though it’s small and slow in coming.

  Several minutes later, Dr Wong returns, scrubbing a hand down his face as he enters the room, the door sliding silently shut behind him. He looks bemused as he goes to take a seat at his desk.

  “What is it? What did the results say?” I demand impatiently, twisting on the chair to face him.

  “Your suspicions were valid, the test came back positive for a family connection.”

  Jubilation fills me and I jump off the chair in excitement, spinning to face Sin and Colt, who both stare back at me in shock. I want to shout I told you so, but I manage to hold it back as I grin at them. For a long moment no one moves, then suddenly Colt begins to tear up. Brown eyes glistening, he pushes himself out of his seat and takes an unsteady step towards Sin, who leans back as he’s enfolded in a hug. Sins’ body remains tense, his expression extremely uncomfortable, as he tentatively lifts a hand to awkwardly pat the older mans’ back,
his other arm hanging uselessly at his side.

  After a long minute, Colt releases him, stepping away but keeping both hands fixed on Sins’ shoulders. “Welcome to the family.”

  Later that evening, stomachs full of steak and chips, we lay in bed together, both staring up at the ceiling as my head rests on his shoulder and his breath tickles my ear. I’m almost asleep when Sin finally speaks. “Today was…” he trails off, shaking his head as he searches for the right words.

  “Nerve wracking?” I suggest, “Life changing? Just plain strange?”

  “All of that,” he agrees, turning onto his side to look at me. “I can’t believe I’ve got a granddad.”

  Smiling, I turn over too, adding, “Don’t forget an Uncle and cousins who are eager to meet you.” Colt had rung and told his son, Kendall, the good news while we were in the car going back to his house, as he video chatted we could hear little girls laughing in the background. At first Kendall had seemed suspicious, since he’d watched the show on the News, however, once he’d received all the facts he’d become excited to meet “James’ boy” and had invited himself, along with his wife and two young daughters, down for dinner the next night.

  Stroking Sins’ cheek, I ask, “Are you nervous?”

  “No, I don’t care if they don’t like me.”

  I know that’s not true, but I don’t call him on it; let him keep his shield a little while longer. Instead, I murmur, “Our lives start now.”

  “What were we doin’ before?”

  “Preparing.”

  Reaching up to cover my hand with his, he flattens it against his cheek, turning his face to kiss my palm. “If this is the start of the rest of our lives, we should celebrate.”

  My heart skips a beat, leaping into my throat, because the look in his eyes tells me exactly how he wants to celebrate. A slow smile spreads across his face as I nod, “Sounds good to me.”

  Epilogue

  Seven Years Later

  “What are you doing?” I ask sleepily, rough-skinned hands trailing over my body beneath the sheet as I lay in bed late on a Sunday morning.