Loupe led the way, her pace quick and sure footed. Reina had a good idea where they were going and realized it was not a bad idea, but stubborn resentment still stewed.
Hayun followed close behind Loupe and Reina took the back so that the strangers were sandwiched between them. Reina had a feeling Malak noticed their configuration and the tilt of xir head and brightness in xir hazel eyes suggested xe might be just a little bit impressed. It made her smile to herself. Xe walked with a cool determination, xir shoulders back, xir hair blowing free in the cool breeze, every stride sure and steady. Xe was bigger than she remembered, all the boyish roundness faded away to lean muscle and sharp bones. Though xe was still wearing that same silver necklace that xe wore a year ago.
The sun had now fallen asleep beyond the forest and behind the mountains leaving the city in the twinkling lights of the street lamps. Loupe led them onto the easternmost bridge from which they could see the ocean, dark and unknowable in the night. The southeast side of the city smelled of salt. They were not far from Market Square or the Grand Boulevard, but on this side of the train tracks the buildings were more ramshackled, leaning into one another with faded signs and windows missing their glass. It was the conjunction between the neighborhoods of factory workers and taverns of portmans and sailors. Everything was rough around the edges, music blaring too loud from someone’s rooms, and roads badly paved and in some cases not paved at all.
The blood drained from Malak’s face as they rounded the corner and the loft came into view. Xe froze like a statue in the middle of the street nearly causing Reina to run into xem had her quick reflexes not prevented a collision.
“There it is,” said Loupe proudly, gesturing like a circus ringmaster. “It doesn’t look like much, but once you get inside you’ll see it’s quite cozy,” Loupe assured them, barely checking for traffic before jaywalking across the street to the abandoned building.
Reina ran after her sister looking over her shoulder just in time to see the muscles in Malak’s jaw ripple and xir limbs unlock as xe forced xemself to follow the others. Her teeth ground into her bottom lip as she wondered what had happened to xem here.
The four of them walked in through a back firedoor. The ground floor was nothing more than a dirt foundation crisscrossed with planks of rotting wood and sheet metal, a high ceiling, and splintered beams cutting shadows across their footprints.
The tightness in Malak’s jaw refused to let go. It took one look before xe had xir arms crossed and said, “We’re not staying here.” Xir voice did not waver, but there was an uneasy jumpiness about xem that had not been there before.
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
“Why not?” Reina asked, looking over her shoulder back at him. A deep crease had formed between xir brows and she had the inexplicable urge to rub it smooth. “I promise it’s safe.”
For some reason xir hesitation made her feel defensive of Loupe’s idea. She did not remember xem being this skittish before, but she reminded herself that she didn’t really know Malak and besides, it was years ago that they last worked together.
“This building is not secure,” xe said, xir eyes sweeping over the rotting beams and sagging roof. “It could cave in on us at any moment.” Xe pulled out a pre-rolled cigarette and lit it.
“Want one?” xe asked when xe caught Loupe looking, and pulled a second from xir pocket.
Reina held her breath. Loupe hesitated, but shook her head.
“I doubt that very much,” she shrugged, continuing her venture deeper into the shadows. “It’s been abandoned for at least a decade when Reina and I first found it and it’s held up fine since then.” She came to a rope ladder that led to the top floor. After giving it an experimental tug she began climbing it. The others followed in varying degrees of weariness, carefully picking their way through the rubble in the dim light.
Hayun followed Loupe’s leather bound boots as they disappeared into a sort of loft that might have been an office whenever the building was still in operation. Loupe felt her way down the wall till she caught hold of a cord and gave it a sharp tug.
“There are some crazy rumors and ghost stories about this place being haunted, but they aren’t true. And it keeps people away,” continued Loupe looking around the loft contentedly, hands on hips. She turned to Malak and said, “We’ve stayed here loads of times and it’s perfectly safe, right Reina?”
“Perfectly safe,” she agreed, eyeing Malak with a closed lip smile. Holding her breath, she placed a hand on xir shoulder. The touch made xem flinch involuntarily and she let her hand fall. They both pretended not to notice.
“I don’t think it is,” Malak retorted. Xe had stopped looking around the building. Xir hands were shoved deep into xir pockets and xe looked smaller in this place than xe had back at the headquarters.
“How did you get all the furniture up here?” Hayun asked, in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood.
“Pulleys,” Loupe said without further explanation.
“I don’t understand what the problem is. It was your idea to move,” Reina said, as though Hayun and Loupe hadn’t spoken.
Loupe looked at her sister, brown eyes swimming in surprised gratitude. Reina returned the look trying to say I’m always on your side without actually saying it. Hayun stared pointedly out the window.
“I just think we can find a better place,” Malak said.
Reina raised her eyebrows as if to ask what would you suggest?
“I’ll think of something,” xe said after a moment, swallowing a mouth full of dust from the past. “For now I can meet you in a public space tomorrow evening to discuss the plan.” Xe turned and disappeared down the rope ladder, leaving the other three alone.