Page 35 of (Sur)real
“The group we mentioned yesterday was attacked while you slept. Four Urbat. All dead. One of the group was hurt. A boy, barely a man by our standards. His leg was broken. The two little human children with them were the target. The Urbat want them so they can control Michelle and the Judgement that Bethi tells us needs to be made.”
My stomach churned.
“They didn’t get the children, did they?”
“No. They are unharmed. Michelle and Grey are working to find them somewhere safe to stay until we can reach them.”
“Blake never spoke to me of my sister when he kept her. But, like her, I sat through many dinners while they pretended I was as stupid as a piece of furniture. I heard what they did to her. How they used her brothers to control her. They can’t get them again.” I stood and shuffled toward my bag. By touch, I found what I needed to change clothes.
Turning toward Winifred, I said what needed to be said.
“No matter what, you cannot allow them to have her brothers.”
The Others spun faster as her shock, and likely outrage, settled in her heart.
“I’m sorry.” I closed myself into the bathroom and dressed quickly after washing. She stayed sitting in the same position, the walls not blocking my view of the Others and, thus, her.
Blindly, I reached out and touched the mirror I knew hung above the sink and stared at where my reflection should have been.
“I envy their ignorance,” I said softly. “And, I wish our existence wasn’t necessary.”
Daughter, I am with you always. Take comfort in knowing the time for Judgement is near,the Lady said from the other side.
I stepped back from the mirror and brushed my hair. When it fell straight and tangle free, I picked up my things and opened the door. I kept quiet as I repacked then went to sit on the edge of the bed, not facing Winifred, but not facing away either.
In the silence, I considered what the day had in store for me and let go of the fear and anxiety that wanted to well up. My future remained set. The fate of the world depended on it.
“Are you hungry?” Winifred asked, finally.
“Yes.”
“I’ll walk you to the breakfast bar downstairs.” She stood and offered me her hand. I took it. The gentle curve of her fingers brought on a swell of pity. For myself.
“I wish one of you would have found me,” I said honestly.
“I wish we would have, too.” She led me out the door.
“Who is ignorant?” she asked as we walked, echoing what I’d said in the bathroom. “Us or the humans?”
“All of you.”
“Of what are we ignorant?”
“Reality. But you won’t stay ignorant for long, and I am sorry for that.”
She remained quiet the rest of the way to the hotel lobby. The smell of toast and the sound of Bethi’s voice let me know when we arrived.
“Well, that was a wasted, shit-night,” Bethi said angrily. “Not a single useful dream. Just more death.” She slouched in her chair and tipped her head back toward the ceiling. “What the hell is the Lady waiting for? We made up our minds, didn’t we?”
“If there’s doubt in any of us, I don’t think we have made up our minds,” I said, still moving with Winifred.
“Here’s the breakfast bar,” Winifred said. She placed my hand on the counter. “I’ll help you fix a plate.”
“Thank you.”
“What do you mean?” Bethi asked. “You think one of us is doubting? Who?”
I shook my head slightly. “Doubt isn’t something you can threaten and make go away. We all have doubts. Winifred doubts my intentions. I doubt we’ll come to a decision quickly enough. You doubt the Judgement will give you a reprieve. Doubts are more natural than trust. But, that’s what we need to do. Trust ourselves, each other, and our decision.”
