Page 104 of The Last Hope
“Or they’ll split them apart,” Gem predicts. “They’ll have less chances to die if we use our bodies as shields—”
“No,” I say, eyes flashing hot. “Don’t do that.”
“It’s just a theory,” Gem muses.
“Incoming,” Padgett says silkily.
I hardly see what she’s noticed until a confident and bookish Nia waves to us, spiral-bound texts tucked under her arm. She places the haul in front of Gem. “Found all your requests.”
“Holy wonders, this is brilliant. Thank you, Nia.” Gem smiles and taps the title to show all of us. “I plan to build one in my lifetime.”
I peek over and read,How-to Kit: All About Cars & Manual Transmissions.My lips part, and I ask Nia, “So there are cars on Earth?”
“There have been in past history, but currently? I wouldn’t really know.” She’s about to depart.
Padgett is quick to ask, “Why wouldn’t you know?”
Walking backward, Nia tells us, “I was born on theLucretzia.Never stepped foot on Earth in my life.”
At this, she turns and leaves, and I notice Court at the buffet line. Grub bowl in hand, he wavers on approaching our table, stepping forward.
Stepping back.
Nervousness clams his palms, and the more I concentrate on him, the more I feel bitty pieces of metal in his sweaty hand. One end sharp, the other smooth and familiar. I recognize what he’s clutching.
My heart swells, and I motion him over.
TWENTY-FOUR
Court
I hesitate to join the girls at breakfast.
They laugh together, and my austere presence is a reminder of practical matters: the mission tomorrow, the dangers.
And then Franny waves me over.
My feet move beneath my rigid body before my brain catches up to speed. Sandals clapping on mosaic tile, I approach and unclench my fist while I slide on the bench. I set my grub on the tabletop.
“Good morning, Court,” Gem greets, polite and cheerful.
“Gem.” I nod, joints stiff. My lips hoist—just a feeling. I touch my mouth to be certain no smile crests my face. This one belongs to Franny on my left. She senses the metal in my palm, but I’m not certain she realizes what I hold is for her.
Beside her bowl, I place three silver pieces of jewelry. For an eyebrow, lip, and nose piercing.
Overcome, like her past suddenly rushes back and crashes against her chest. Pressure falls on my breastbone and then washes away with her stronger breath.
She pinches the hoop ring, meant for her lip. “You remembered?”
I can’t forget.
How I met Franny with messy green-and-blue dyed hair, three piercings, and inked FT tattoos. How I told her to pretend to be an Influential—to be with us, she needed to take out the piercings.
I try to answer, but I can’t form the words. Swallowing, I say, “They weren’t difficult to find. I asked around the starcraft.” Humans wear piercings too.
With the heels of her palm, Franny rubs her glassing eyes. “You found these for me—”
“It’s nothing.” I shake my head. “Just preparation for the mission.” I’m not kind like Mykal. If we weren’t trying to pretend to be Fast-Trackers tomorrow, I doubt I’d hand over the piercings, but gods be damned, something inside of me is crying out,you know it’s more.
