“My betters? I hope you’re not talking about Senator Douglas and General Sikes,” Rogue replied as she stood upright.
“That’s exactly who I’m talking about,” Bones said, handing her a strip of dried meat and a bottle of water. “Come on. You can eat while you walk. Maybe that’ll keep your mouth shut.”
Rogue pulled a face at his back, but she followed him down the apartment block’s ruined stairs and into the open. He pointed in the general direction of Prime. “You go ahead. I’ll take up the rear.”
“Fine,” Rogue grumbled, not missing the loaded crossbow pointed at her back. “Let me guess. If I try to escape, you’ll shoot me.”
“That’s right. Now move.”
Rogue had no option but to obey. As they walked, she ate the meat and emptied the bottle of water. It felt good to be awake again, freed from the effect of the drugs. The sun was warm, and the sky stretched into infinity—a beautiful day.
But none of that mattered. Soon, she’d be back inside the walls of Prime. The one place she’s hoped never to see again. Hatred for Bones pumped through her veins with every step she took, and she vowed she’d kill him if she got the chance.
As they drew closer, she became more and more desperate to escape. Her eyes darted around, but there was never a good opportunity to run. At one point, she even wished they could be attacked by something. Anything that would draw Bones’ attention, but nothing showed. The area was deserted. Just my damn luck.
And then she saw it.
Prime City.
It rose from the ground like a gigantic toad squatting on the landscape, surrounded by moss-covered walls and topped with a thick cloud of smog.
Rogue had to scramble up a steep incline before the ground evened out. Along the way, she noticed a pipe sticking out of the embankment, its length buried deep in the earth. It stank of raw sewage, and a trickle of the foulsmelling gunk flowed from the end. She eyed the dark opening, wondering where it led. It was obviously part of the city’s plumbing. Could it also be a way in?
“Move faster,” Bones commanded.
“I’m going as fast as I can.”
“You’re stalling.”
She flashed him a nasty look, but the crossbow never wavered, and she quickened her pace.
Finally, they reached the wall, and Bones shouted at the top of his lungs. “Hello, the wall. Anyone there?”
It took a while before someone answered, and Rogue began to hope nobody would. Still, their position was precarious, standing out in the open, all exposed. She shivered as she looked around, remembering her last encounter with a flesh-eating dinosaur at that exact spot.
Then a head popped over the edge. “Who’s there?”
“It’s Bones, a member of the Watch.”
“Bones, the deserter? What are you doing back here? Piss off.”
“I need to see Senator Douglas or General Sikes.”
“Didn’t you hear me?” the man replied. “Piss off before I shoot you where you stand!”
“I’ve got valuable information for the senator.”
The man snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“It’s true. He’ll want to hear this, I swear.”
The guard looked at Rogue. “Who’s the girl?”
“An exile like me.”
The man shook his head. “No, can do. Once you’re out, there’s no coming back.”
“Trust me, you’ll welcome us once you hear what I’ve got to say.”
“You’re bluffing.”
“I swear on my mother’s grave, I’m not lying. It’s important that I speak to either the senator or the general,” Bones shouted. “There’s a rich reward to be had, I promise.”
The guard hesitated. “A reward?”
Bones nodded. “Riches beyond your wildest dreams.”
The guard mulled it over. “Alright, I’m tossing down the ladder, but if you’re lying, you’ll wish you never came back.”
“Deal,” Bones said.
The rope ladder tumbled down the wall, and Bones looked at Rogue. “Ladies first.”
Rogue eyed the ladder and swallowed hard. This was her worst nightmare come true. “I can’t.”
“I’m not telling you again. Move,” Bones growled.
“What if I fall?”
“For your sake, you’d better hope not,” Bones said, not budging an inch.
Rogue gripped the ladder with sweaty palms, her heart in her throat. Step by step, she began the immense climb. Halfway up, exhaustion set in, but she couldn’t stop. Not with Bones prodding her onward whenever she faltered. With his nasal voice ringing in her ears, she went up the wall despite her misgivings.
Rogue had almost reached the top when the guard’s head appeared above her. She jerked with fright, and her left foot slipped off the rung. With a terrified yell, she dangled in the air, clinging to the rope. “Help. Help me!”
“Just hold on,” Bones cried, grabbing her foot.
He pushed it back onto a rung, and she heaved a sigh of relief. But her body remained frozen in place, and she couldn’t get herself to move. A glance at the bottom showed her how far up they were, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Don’t let me fall. Don’t let me fall.
“Calm down,” Bones said. “You’re almost there. You can do it.”
Rogue shook her head, frantic. “No, I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. You’re the strongest person I know, Rogue, and the bravest,” Bones said.
“You mean that?” Rogue asked, desperate for reassurance.
“Of course, I do. Now move before you grow too tired to move at all.”
Rogue took a deep breath and forced her quivering body up the rest of the ladder. When she reached the top, the guard gave her a helping hand over the edge. Once both her feet were on the wooden platform, she sank to her knees. “I made it. I can’t believe I made it.”
Bones followed, and moments later, they were lowered to the ground where a trio of guards waited with spears and bows. Curious onlookers crowded the square, and she wondered how the news of their arrival had spread so fast. I wonder if Moran is among them. Watching. Will I ever see her again?
“Come with us,” the leader of the guards barked.
Bones grabbed her arm with a vice-like grip, and she was dragged toward their destination against her will. Their path led toward the Prime Hotel,
