Page 24 of Undone
I managed to eat the rest without getting emotional. It was richer than what I was used to, and a bigger quantity, so I ate slow. He did the same, watching me. I could tell he was thinking. A lot. And normally I’d be creeped out by someone eyeing me in silence. The fact that I felt kind of comfortable with him probably meant I was going crazy. Maybe Primo Town had broken me already. Linette would totally be on her guard, and attempting to get information. Which made me wonder . . . what kind of information could I possibly get from him without being all obvious?
Before I could think of anything, he set down his napkin and said, “I would like to accompany you back to town after your lessons today. Check on the workers. See how everything is coming together.”
“Oh.” I blinked at him. “Yes. That would be good.”
“Wonderful.” He stood and picked up the trays. I blushed when I noticed there was still food on his plate and mine was empty. “I will see you soon.”
I stood and nodded. As he turned to go, I called out, “Thank you for lunch.”
He turned and gave me a smile, then left me. I stood there, spooked at how genuine his smile looked. I knew he was trained to act like a human, but was it all an act, or did he feel the emotion that went along with the actions of smiling and laughing? Could Baelese learn to feel emotions like us by mimicking our behaviors until they became engrained? How about empathy? What emotions did they have in common with us, and which ones were not part of their nature? I shivered as he exited the room.
I thought for sure Vahni would be able to talk him out of visiting Primo Town, but the Senator was waiting for me when I finished. Guards surrounded us as we walked outside to the Jeep. The Senator was ushered to the front seat, and I was put in the back. When our six-vehicle entourage showed up, workers who were just finishing their day slowly made their ways to the gates to see what was going on. I saw both Linette and Tater on opposite sides of the crowd, moving back to give space for the gates to open.
Guards jumped out, brandishing their guns and yelling, “Get back!” I glanced at the Senator, who watched the interaction of aggressive guards and meek humans with an expression of concern. It was the same look he used to wear when he was shown on television dealing with different crises around Nevada—draught issues, school shootings, crime in Vegas. What was he really feeling, if anything at all?
When we parked, guards swarmed the Jeep. I reached for my handle, but the Senator gracefully jumped out and opened my door for me. I stepped out and smoothed down my dress. The Senator tilted his chin up and gave the workers a confident, small smile as we walked forward.
“Good evening people of Primo Town. Some of you may know me as Senator Navis. Others refer to me as Bahntan, leader of the Baelese people. I have come today to witness the good works you are doing.” And here, he sobered. “I know each of you has lost something. Someone. And I find it immensely hopeful to see you working together, striving for something better. Rebuilding. That is what I want, as well. I want us to work together.”
My gut churned and I had to swallow several times as he went on.
“You are each here because you showed willingness and open minds. It is my promise to you that though things are undoubtedly different, they will continue to get better. The next generation of humans will have no idea what it means to struggle as so many of you have. It is my goal for humanity to thrive without poverty, without crime, finally achieving the true equality that Americans have strived for. You see, the Baelese people have enjoyed those very things for centuries now. Our people are at peace. There is no war among us, and soon, there will be no war on Earth either.”
One of the women let out a sob, covering her mouth. It could have easily been construed as being overwhelmed with gratitude at his words, but I wasn’t so sure. The Senator gave her a comforting glance, then grazed the silent crowd with his eyes. Nervous about the lull of silence, I brought my hands together in applause. Slowly, people began to clap, until the whole crowd was quietly applauding, faces mostly blank. My eyes found Tater again, and saw him glowering at the Senator. Definitely not clapping. I glared until he saw me and schooled his features.
The Senator met my eye and brandished an arm outward. “Show me around?”
“Me? Um . . .” I looked around at the humans looking back and forth between us, and the guards with their menacing stances. “Okay.” I noticed the surprise on Linette’s face, and quickly looked away. “Well, first, over here we have the farm area.”
I began walking, and the crowd parted. Keeping an appropriate distance between us at all times, I showed the Senator around just as I’d been shown my first day. I was pretty sure he’d already been to this compound and seen it, but wanted to appear interested and caring for the newer people. The crowd stayed with us even though dinner was surely ready. Everyone was desperate for a change from the monotony.
When we made our way full circle, ending up at the dining hall, I stopped and clasped my hands in front of me.
“This is the kitchen and dining hall.”
He peered in at the rows and rows of tables and chairs, nodding. Then he looked at me.
“Thank you, Ms. Haines.” He looked out at the crowd again. “Thank you all, and I hope you have a lovely evening.”
He gave me a nod of good-bye, which I returned, and then out of nowhere, someone was pushing their way through the crowd. The guards pointed their weapons, and Linette slipped out, putting her hands up with a look of innocent surprise.
“Don’t come any closer!” a guard shouted.
The Senator chuckled and held up a hand, motioning for the guards to lower their weapons. “She is an unarmed woman.”
“You are not to touch the Bahntan,” a guard warned Linette as he lowered his gun.
“Of course not,” she breathed, looking at him with fanatic adoration. Her hair had grown longer, and she tucked it behind her ears, looking rather ragged from a day of work. But she still had killer cheekbones, intensely sexy eyes, and legs for days.
She smiled at him. “I just couldn’t let you leave without thanking you. I’m so glad to be here.” It was so sickly sweet that I had to refrain from telling her to tone it down. The Senator gave her his generic smile.
“I am glad you are here as well.” Now he glanced at me and the falseness seemed to melt away. “Thank you for the tour, Ms. Haines.” He gave a small bow. “Until tomorrow.”
“Good-bye,” I said.
The Senator turned to go, and the guards gathered around him so tightly I could barely see his head in the center as they moved through the gates, which were tightly sealed shut the moment he was gone.
Everyone shuffled past, hungry now that the excitement was over. Linette gave me a hard stare, and I turned to go inside, ignoring whatever she was up to. I took a small plate of spaghetti from the line and a cup of water, then went to my seat in the far corner. The room felt more energetic than normal, with everyone staring around at each other in question, but hardly anyone spoke.
