Clone Chronicles

Chapter 8: Seer

Beckett returns after only a moment, face tight and angry. It's clear he's been fighting with Nico again. I wonder at the tall girl's dislike for me.

Beckett doesn't sit, so I rise to face him, Poppy coming to my side. I've grown accustomed to the feeling of her hand in mine and welcome it.

"I'm going to help you," he says, "the only way I know how. I'm not sure if you're trustworthy, but you did your best to save Poppy so I owe you one." He glares at Nico who hovers, glaring right back. "There's someone you need to talk to. She might be able to fill in some holes, if the stories about her are true."

"The seer." Poppy quivers beside me, a happy puppy full of excitement. "You're taking her to the seer!"

Beckett ignores her. "There's another group, not far from here. They claim they have someone who survived the Sick, lost her vision, but came out of it with a different kind of sight." He shrugs, telling me he's not sure if he believes or not. "She's supposed to be able to find stuff. Maybe she can tell you where you need to go."

Poppy clings to me, suddenly nervous. "Maybe we can send Nico to fetch her," she says. "What if Trio gets out there and the Crawlers take her?" She presses close, free arm around my waist. "You said you'd protect her."

Beckett looks down at his sister, face the calmest I've seen it. "We'll be right back, Popsicle."

She shakes her head, dark ponytail swinging. "You're not taking her."

Nico steps forward, grabs Poppy by the jacket and pulls her away. "They're leaving."

I'm moving before she can finish speaking, my free hand shoving her back and away from the little girl. I lift Poppy into my arms, feel hers wind around my neck as I scowl at Nico.

"Don't touch her." Even Beckett seems surprised, but Nico backs off.

Smart choice.

I meet Poppy's eyes and finally find my smile again. "I'm going," I say, "but Beckett's right. We'll be back. I promise."

Poppy snuffles, arms releasing me, fingers playing with my hair. She brings it to her nose and sniffs it. "You smell like flowers."

"You don't." We laugh together, an instant of peace in middle of disaster.

Poppy sighs. "You're sure?"

"I need to know what to do next," I tell her, setting her down. "Maybe this seer can help me. Either way, I have to try."

Poppy nods then, a firm little motion before turning to Beckett. "I'm coming with you."

He's obviously prepared for her. "No," he says. "You're not." He gestures at Nico who takes hold of Poppy again. She squalls a protest, reaching for me. I meet Beckett's eyes. He's raised one eyebrow as though wondering what I'll do. I'm surprised myself at the surge of protectiveness I feel for Poppy, but this time I know it's necessary for Nico to hold her.

"Trio!" Poppy calls after me, the aching sadness in her voice almost enough for me to turn back. But I follow Beckett, steeling my heart against her. Better to face the danger of outside without having to worry.

Though I know she's better equipped to survive than I am.

It's still dark outside when Beckett leads me into the street.

"Stay close," he says. "We're out at the worst time for some, but the best for others. Just follow my lead and don't wander off, no matter what you see or hear. Got me?"

I nod, but stay quiet, knowing it's part of the deal. He turns away from me and doesn't look back again. I'm not sure if I should be gratified by his trust or annoyed he seems as if he couldn't care less.

He pauses at a corner and points down an alley. Beckett holds a finger to his lips while I turn and look at the source of his concern. A small group of kids walk in the other direction, their backs to us. They must be carrying flashlights of some kind or some source of illumination because they seem to glow.

Beckett waits until they've passed around the corner at the end of the block before relaxing a little.

"One of the afflictions," he whispers in my ear, breath hot and tickling me. "The Brights. Photosensitive, only out at night."

"That glow..." I can hardly process what he's said.

"Come on." He leads me away, this time with a tug on my jacket sleeve as if knowing I'm too confused to pay attention.

But I need to pay attention. The streets are dark in places, but not completely. There are enough intact bulbs here and there we are able to at least see where we are going. Not that I worry about Beckett. He moves through the darkness like he owns it and I do my best to mimic him. It becomes easy quickly, the calm I feel when challenged seeming to take over again. Not for the first time I wonder who I am and why I'm able to fight so well.

Beckett pauses again, this time under the shadow of an overturned bus. He seems content with my conduct so far. "Almost there," he whispers, again directly in my ear. "This last part is tricky. Focus."

His eyes flicker to one side, the whites catching a glint of distant light. I freeze. I've heard it too, the sound that's caught his attention. A soft noise, something perhaps I would have ignored at another time. But Beckett takes no chances and I'm in tune enough with him to understand every sound out here is a potential threat.

He leaves me, sliding into the black and I stay where I am, not knowing what else to do. There is a long silence while I wonder if I should go after him. I jump when someone grunts, the ring of a body hitting metal. The calm flickers in and out, as though uncertain if I am in need of it.

No Beckett. I shiver, hugging myself. Was he hurt, out there in the darkness somewhere, needing my help? Am I surrounded then, being watched even now? Fear tries to claw its way inside me, but I resist it. I'll be of no use to him if I fall apart. I call up the calm, feel it answer, grateful for the steadiness, now knowing it is mine to command.

Draw a breath. Hold it. Listen. There to the right, where he vanished. Movement, light but present. Coming closer. I turn slowly to face the danger, ready for anything.

Or so I think. Until Beckett emerges into my dim view with Poppy clutched by the back of her coat. He gives her a little shove, sending her forward toward me. I hold out my hands, only to steady her, but she runs to me and hugs me as if I can save her from something.

"What were you thinking?" Beckett's anger makes him louder than necessary. Even he winces at the volume of his voice.

Poppy turns to him, makes the most defiant face. I grin. It looks familiar to me. But why?

He throws his hands up in the air. "Fine," he hisses. "It's too far to take you back. But stay close and don't say anything."

She grasps my hand, still silent, but seeming happier than before.

My guess is she wins most of their arguments. For some reason, I can barely contain my laughter.

We cross the street on a sharp angle, Beckett still leading the way. One more alley and we're approaching what looks like fortifications around a door. Burlap bags filled with something, presumably sand my mind tells me, are stacked like bricks on either side of a blue metal door. I look up and up, the building towering over us, a kind of warehouse.

Two teens with club-like weapons stand guard under a glowing bulb. Beckett nods to them as we approach. They don't seem nervous or worried, a good sign.

"I'm Beckett," he tells them, voice soft. "Here to see Genki."

They exchange a look before the smaller of the two turns and goes inside. The door is well oiled, the hinges silent. We wait in the quiet, the second guard ignoring us, or attempting to, his false nonchalance making me smile.

Before long, the door opens again, the smaller boy returning.

"He'll see you," he says. "Go on in."

Beckett nods shortly once before walking between the two guards, as calm and casual as though he were with his own people.

But the pressure of Poppy's fingers tells me to be cautious still. I draw a breath and follow Beckett inside.

***