Tai looks over his shoulder behind us, checking if we are being followed.
“We aren’t in the clear yet.”
“Tai, you need to learn how to celebrate the small stuff.” He’s right, of course, but I’m still impressed we broke out of the colony.
The canyon narrows and widens over the course of the morning. I’m grateful for the high walls surrounding us, which keep the direct sunlight off. It’s not as cool as down in the colony, but it’s a break from the oppressive heat above. We travel in complete silence for a while, listening for any hint of the brethren.
“We need to get to higher ground,” Tai says reluctantly.
“But the shade!” I whine. I know it is inevitable that we would end up in the blazing sun but doing it willingly when there is perfectly good shade feels wrong.
“We are vulnerable down here. Someone or something could sneak up on us.”
Dammit. He’s right. Begrudgingly, I pull on Daisy’s reins to follow Tai up the slope. I slide forward on the saddle when Daisy lurches up the hill. My core clenches, and my legs tense from the incline. I’m still painfully sore from the last ride. If only the brethren could’ve waited on their plan to murder Tai for another few days. I would have appreciated the chance to let my muscles recover.
The sun heats up my dirty robe, sending off a fresh wave of hot garbage straight to my nose.
“I can’t wait to get out of this robe. It smells almost as bad as youdo,” I say and pluck at the robe, putting a little space between the disgusting garment and my body.
“Soon,” he says, returning to his monosyllabic ways.
“Good girl, Daisy. You’re the best h’axom in the world.” I turn my attention to Daisy. She doesn’t respond to my attempts at conversation either, but Brutus grunts and tosses his trunk in the air.
“I couldn’t agree more, Brutus,” I say. Fine—if I can’t talk to Tai or Daisy, Brutus will be my friend. “I prefer the shade as well.”
“I prefer not being ambushed,” Tai grumbles.
The farther we get from the colony and the brethren, the better I feel. It might be every woman’s fantasy to be worshiped as a goddess but not mine. I much prefer it out here with Tai, braving the hostile environment and being proactive about our escape. I file that under “Things I’ll never admit to Tai.” This particular file seems to be growing by the day.
“What?” Tai asks, head cocked to the side.
Oh shit—did I say that out loud?
“Huh?” I ask innocently.
“I thought I heard you say something. You were mumbling,” he says, scrunching his eyebrows together.
“Oh, nothing. Just having a little discussion here with my friend Daisy. Aren’t we, sweetie pie?” I scratch the tuft of long fur on the top of her head. She grunts and shakes her head side to side.
“I want to get to higher ground to see if anyone is following us,” Tai says, spurring Brutus on with a simple flick of the reins.
“You’re worse than Jamie.” My thoughts verbalize.
“Is that your boyfriend on Earth?”
His question makes me smile.
“No, he’s my oldest and most serious brother. He thinks it’s his job to keep everyone in line.”
“He’s a good male.”
“He is overbearing and bossy. But he’s the best. He would probably love it here. All my brothers would. They’d love the chance to prove how tough they are.” The words spill out. It feels good to talkabout my family. I avoid bringing them up because I’m afraid it would open the floodgates of emotion I’ve tried so hard to keep closed. Missing them has threatened to take over since I left Earth.
“How many brothers do you have?” Tai asks.
“Three. I’m the baby of the family, and the only girl.”
“Ah, the princess. That tracks,” he says with a tiny little smile pulling up one side of his mouth. I’m never going to live this down.
