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Chapter 28
CHRISTY
Thirteen taps my arm, drawing my attention back to her. She’s mixing up a new solution, another ointment to combat the infection Twelve has picked up from her wounds. I see the worry in her eyes as she points to a vial of clear liquid sitting on the workbench in front of me.
“You want this?” I ask, picking it up.
She nods.Yes.
Passing it to her I sit in silence content to watch her working and find myself wondering how she ever came to be here. Is it because she’s a healer, using natural herbs, plants and flowers to mix up lotions and potions to cure and soothe all manner of ailments? She has value in that respect, one I suspect is priceless, given the nature of what happens here. Imagine explaining Twelve’s injuries to a doctor. Not likely.
Thirteen is essential to the inner workings of this place.
I have to admit, she’s extraordinarily talented at what she does. Add in perfumes, body lotions, shampoo and conditioners, and makeup to the list of things she can produce, and she’s more of an alchemist. Thirteen’s knowledgeable at what she does, has been willing to let me watch her all morning, but avoids all explanations of how she’d learnt her gift.
“It’s kind of magical, what you do,” I say as she sprinkles ground-up basil, rosemary and sage into her pot of bubbling liquid.
She shakes her head, picking up her pen and scribbling on the pad next to her.I’m only using what Mother Nature gifted us all. If that’s magic, then I guess I’m a magician.
“Or a witch?” I say, catching her eye.
That too,she writes on her pad.
Even the most talented cosmetic scientist wouldn’t be able to do half of what she does with more advanced equipment in a laboratory. Her kind of gift is beyond anything explainable by human laws, much like my visions are. In that we are kindred spirits.
“Leon was right when he said you would’ve been hung from The Weeping Tree.”
She nods, scribbling on her pad.Yes, there’s no doubt. Most witches were simply healers, early scientists. They wanted to help, to cure people.
“So you’re here to cure people? Or is it because you have history with The Masks?” I ask, remembering what Konrad had said about knowing her when they were younger. This is the first time that I’ve had the opportunity to bring it up, and instantly regret it when Thirteen lays her pen down and picks up the wooden spoon, stirring the concoction and ending the conversation there. I let out a frustrated sigh, knowing that no matter how much I ask she’ll refuse to answer questions she’s uncomfortable with.
I just don’t get it.
She’s kind, thoughtful and empathetic, offering me a tonic for the phantom pain from my burns, making sure I’m as comfortable as I can be given the situation. But at the same time she’s secretive and mysterious, refusing to give me the answers to questions that would help me deal with my situation and escape The Masks. I get the distinct impression from the constant interruptions from the Numbers over the past couple of days that she’s well liked,lovedeven, and I can understand why that is. What I don’t understand is why she’s here. Why she protects the privacy of The Masks by refusing to tell me their story and why, above all else, she seems okay with what happens in this castle I call a prison yet she calls home. Thirteen knows The Masks aren’t good men. I saw it in her eyes when we first met, so why does she protect them?
It doesn’t make any sense.
“How old are you, Thirteen?” I ask, trying a different tactic.
Twenty-four in December, she writes, then points to my chest.You?
“I’ll be Twenty-four next June…”
My voice trails off as my thoughts return to my family, to Grim. Ever since she found out about me she’s made sure that we’re always together on my birthday. It doesn’t matter what’s going on in her life, she’s there for me with a chocolate cake, presents and stories. She’s a good sister. The best.
Thirteen taps my arm to get my attention, then taps my temple.What are you thinking about?she seems to ask.
“My family. My sister, Kate. Most people know her as Grim. The Masks do.” Thirteen nods, then averts her gaze. “I wasn’t lying to you. Shewillkill them, you know. Grim will kill The Masks for taking me.”
Flicking her gaze back to me, Thirteen swallows, her grey eyes flashing with worry. She presses her lips into a hard line and frowns, then shakes her head.No.
“She will. She’ll be looking for me right now, probably gathering an army so she can come here and save me. The Masks are fools if they think she won’t come.”
Thirteen shakes her head again, more forcefully this time.No.
“Why do you insist on protecting them? Do you care about them that much?” I say.
Thirteen takes my hands, squeezing gently. She tips her head to the side, her grey eyes wary, vulnerable for the first time since we’ve met, as though she’s concerned I’m going to somehow turn my back on her for her honesty.
