Chapter 6
Rogue followed Olivia out into the bright sunshine of a late spring day. The sky seemed impossibly blue, and she paused to allow her eyes to adjust. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled the strange mixture of smells native to the Zoo and its inhabitants: Smoke from the communal bonfire, smoldering fat from the torches that ringed the walls at night, dried animal dung, freshly baked bread, and the salty tang of cured meat and hides.
“Come on. It’s this way,” Olivia said, taking the lead. “We’ll meet the others at the gate.”
“Oh, joy,” Rogue mumbled, remembering her previous experience at the entrance with its overly-protective guards. She had no choice, however, and walked after her mother with a sense of resignation.
Along the way, Olivia kept up a running commentary of the Zoo and its many features. Much of the old place was still intact. Its concrete and brick structures had simply been repurposed into homes and communal buildings such as the market square, infirmary, blacksmith, tannery, flour mill, and storerooms. There was a smokehouse, butchery, craft, and textile shop too.
Stone walkways lined with beddings wound throughout the thriving community. The flourishing plant life appeared to be mostly indigenous. She spotted several rows of berry bushes, their leaves heavy with the tiny red fruit. These would soon ripen, much to the delight of the many children that ran about playing hide and seek.
Every roof in sight was covered by solar panels, and a windmill turned slowly in the lazy breeze. According to Olivia, it served as a back-up to the filtration system that pumped water from the river. So did the numerous rain-catchment basins.
Though it was all fascinating, Rogue soon zoned out. It was simply too much to take in all at once. I wonder how Seth is doing? I hope those guards didn’t beat him up too badly. Will he even want to see me after I forced him to come here? Man, I hope so.
She was distracted from her thoughts by a couple of people who rode past on horses. The animals were short and stocky, their chests deep, and their haunches thickly muscled. “Are those real horses?”
“Uh-huh. They came from a nearby horse farm. We rescued them right after the Shift, and they’ve proven invaluable to us ever since,” Olivia said with a broad smile.
“I’ve never seen one in real-life,” Rogue admitted. “Only in books.”
“They’re amazing creatures, and these are amazing times,” Olivia said. “There’s a lot to be said for this kind of life. Not everything about the modern world was so great, to be honest. Too much noise and pollution.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it,” Rogue said.
“I’m sorry,” Olivia said, shaking her head. “I keep forgetting how young you were when it all changed. You probably don’t remember much about the old world.”
“No, I don’t, but I must admit. This is nice,” Rogue said, looking around.
Not all was sunshine and roses, though. They met many people along the way, and she was quick to notice the hostile stares directed at her. While most greeted Olivia with smiles and cheery waves, the same did not apply to her daughter.
Guess I’ll just have to suck it up, Rogue thought. Especially if I want their help freeing Prime.
By the time they reached the gate, she was more than ready for a friendly face and looked for Seth. She found him standing on the sidelines and jogged over. “Hey, Seth. How’s it going?”
His dark eyes bored into hers, and his voice was gruff when he spoke. “I’ve been better.”
Rogue studied his face and winced when she saw the split lower lip and purple bruises that bloomed along his jaw-line. “I’m sorry. I should never have asked you to come here.”
He stared at her for a couple of seconds before nodding. “It’s okay. It all worked out in the end, didn’t it? You found your mother, after all.”
Rogue nodded. “I did, but I never wanted you to get hurt.”
“Water under the bridge,” Seth said, his posture relaxing somewhat.
“Thank you.” Rogue heaved an internal sigh of relief. At least, he doesn’t hate me.
“Are you going on the egg-hunt too?”
“Uh-huh. I wasn’t given a choice, really,” Rogue said.
“Me neither. Ric told me in no uncertain terms that I’m expected to participate,” Seth replied.
Rogue grimaced. “The big guy with a bad attitude?”
“That’s the one.”
“He’s a real asshole if you ask me.” Seth’s lips tightened, but he remained silent. Instead, his eyes flickered to a spot above her head, and she froze. “He’s behind me, isn’t he?”
“This asshole is your party leader for the day, so you’d better do exactly as I say,” a deep voice boomed from behind Rogue.
She jumped before turning around. “Sorry. You weren’t meant to hear that.”
“Look, I don’t care what you think about me, as long as you do exactly what I say when I say it,” Ric replied. “Got that? I won’t have either of you messing up this year’s hunt.”
Rogue smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll do my best.”
“See that you do. Both of you,” Ric said, stalking away.
Rogue watched him leave, fully aware that everyone was looking at her. Their faces wore a mixture of disdain and anger while a group of young adults openly snickered. Even Olivia looked upset, her lips pressed into a thin line. Hot blood suffused Rogue’s cheeks. Perfect. Just perfect. Now they hate me even more.
“That went well,” Seth said, his lips twitching.
She rounded on him with a fierce whisper. “Are you enjoying this?”
He shrugged. “A little.”
“Why didn’t you warn me he was there?”
“Consider it payback for the beating,” Seth replied.
“Ugh, really? I said I was sorry,” Rogue said.
“You did,” Seth conceded.
“Are we even now?”
Seth pretended to mull it over until she punched him on the arm.
“Yeah, okay. We’re even,” Seth said with a
