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“We’ll be quick,” I promised. “Luke, you’re with me.”
Luke looked surprised, but followed me to the motorcycle. I handed him a helmet and strapped into my own.
“Can you drive this thing?” he asked doubtfully.
“I’ve had a few lessons.”
We waved as we sped off ahead of the cars. I caught a glimpse of Damien’s worried face, and I knew the warnings he’d raise if we’d had more time.There are still mutids in the wild spaces between the compounds. It’s not safe to go out alone, especially with a loud motorbike.But I wasn’t afraid anymore, and the rush of the engine was exhilarating. I took a deep breath of fresh, evening air. Free from toxic ash. Faster than I could run. The world rushed around us. The king’s roads were clear and smooth. It only took us half an hour to reach our destination; the place Damien had first brought me months ago, the first time we’d kissed.
The lost compound. I parked just outside the gates. The fence was falling apart in some places and most of the buildings needed repair, but Damien and I had already visited a few times recently, to clear away all the grotesque statues. We boxed their ashes up into ornate little boxes, and placed them in a columbarium; raised walls with little alcoves holding the cremated remains of the dead. I didn’t know their names, but we’d add a plaque and a memorial for them, in a garden at the edge of the settlement.
“What is this?” Luke asked, his eyes widening. “Why are we here?”
“It’s a little rough around the edges,” I said. “But the foundations are sound. If you don’t like the name, you can change it.”
“You’re giving me a compound?” Luke asked.
“Isn’t this what you asked for?”
“I wasn’t serious. I’d rather have the motorcycle.”
“Done,” I said with a smile, handing him the keys. “The bike is from Damien. The compound is from me.”
“To be what, a mayor? I’m not sure I’m ready for that kind of responsibility.”
“Up to you,” I shrugged. “Find people you trust, or give it to Jacob—though between you and me, I’d rather have you in charge, at least some oversight. A commissioner, maybe?”
“What do they do?”
“Nothing really. It’s mostly an honorary title, but it does hold power. And you act as an emissary, representing the community.”
“Like a traveling merchant?”
“If you want. Being an ambassador of a compound would give you easy access to import and export. And Augustine is ready to open a whole new trade route to the strip.”
“But who will live here? This compound, wasn’t it yours; I mean, you’re from here, right?”
“I haven’t decided where I’ll stay. But I’m as much a stranger to this place as you are. I don’t think anybody owns it, but it’ll give the havocs a fresh start. You don’t have to be a compound if you don’t want. We’ll protect you, if you need protecting. We’ll trade with you, if you need resources. But we won’t force anything on you. I owe so much to the havocs already, to you. So don’t make this a big deal.”
“Well in that case,” Luke grinned. “I’ll take it. I’ll come back later and see how much work needs to be done. In the meantime,” he said, dangling the keys. “Can I give you a lift to a wedding?”
“It’s a nice night,” I said. “I think I’ll walk.”
He rolled his eyes, but put on his helmet.
“Race you there,” he called. I waited for him to drive off, then took out the vial of elixir from my pocket. I held the bundle of my new dress under one arm as I drank it down. I’d limited my consumption, the first few weeks. And the elixir was mostly for emergencies. But I was in a good mood. I felt my body light up, hungry for it, my muscles filling with energy. I took off at a slow jog, but soon pushed into a run that I sustained for nearly an hour. I reached Algrave faster than I expected, slowing down when I saw the lights at the end of the road. The forest was dark around me, but I wasn’t afraid of slagpaw. After all the elixir I’d had, and my intimate communion with Damien, I felt my awareness seep through the dark branches, my senses easily picking up the scents and sounds of wildlife. I was stronger than I’d ever been, even without a weapon.
There were a lot of people thronged around the entrance. I didn’t feel like making a big appearance, so I snuck around to the back, to my climbing tree. It was so easy to jump up and wrap myself around the branch, then tiptoe across it and descend over the gate into the compound. I was like a ghost, like a shadow.
Once inside, I ducked behind a shed to strip my clothes and pull on Augustine’s green dress. It fit me well, and was comfortable against my skin. My father’s letters burned a hole in my pocket, but I’d have time to read them later. I had other things planned for tonight.
The others had already arrived, and I joined them near the central square that had been prepared for the occasion. Algrave was brighter than I remembered it, and it wasn’t just the return of its populace after their forced evacuation. White lights had been strung down the streets, and newly-constructed electric streetlamps created a soft glow. Without the purification engines, we had electricity to spare.
“There you are!” Mary said, grabbing my arm and placing a crown of flowers on my head. “Amber wants some help getting ready, but first Trevor has a surprise for you. There’s not much time before the ceremony.”
I followed her down the brightly lit streets of Algrave, noticing how strange it was to return to activity and the bustling crowds as they prepared for tonight’s event. It was almost like the Festival; a mood of happiness seemed to spread through everybody.
I paused in front of my old house, my eyes widening in disbelief. On my last visit, it had been nothing more than a charred wreckage. But it had been rebuilt, and freshly painted. Loralie and Jamie were standing out front next to Trevor, under a handpainted sign that readWelcome Home.
