Page 79 of Black Mamba

The woman laughs again. “No. There’s something big going on inside the barricade and we want to know what it’s about, but Darolus won’t let me go alone.”

“Something big?”

“Yeah. The guys working inside… They’re not soldiers, at least not all of them. Most of them are scientists. There’s humming and strange lights being spotlighted at night sometimes. I’d go in and check it out,” she huffs in Darolus’s direction, “but he’s afraid I won’t come back. Even though people go in and out all the time.”

“I need to get inside to check the registry.”

“Then if your guy isn’t willing to let you go by yourself, hope that he knows something interesting to tell them.” She reaches out her hand. “My name is Sabrina, by the way. You seem to already know Darolus.”

“I’m Elena.”

With my free hand, I shake hers.

Releasing each other, she drops to Darolus’s side, tilting her chin up at him. “Ready to leave? I’m getting hungry for lunch.”

He curls his thick tail farther around her. “Yessss.”

“Then let’s get out of here. We’ve got those rabbits we can skin and cook up.” Sabrina calls over her shoulder as they begin to depart, “See you guys around. Good luck with your sister.”

“Thank you… and good luck yourself,” I shout back, watching her and Darolus disappear into the trees.

Licking my lips, but feeling hopeful, I turn for the first group of people I spot and lead Lukys toward them, praying that today…

Today I’ll see my sister.

THIRTY-FIVE

UNFOUNDED

Elena

The day ends up being fruitless, with my sister being nowhere. Despite people’s stares and the soldiers and drones following us, Lukys and I traveled the entirety of the barricade in search of her. I also searched for Mateo’s elaborately expensive ship and asked whether it had ever been here. But with so many no’s, my hopes of finding either soured.

I have to check the registry.

Just because no one’s seen my sister doesn’t mean she isn’t here. She might have tried to lay low due to her fame and used an alternate persona. She’s laid low before because of her stalkers. It wouldn’t be unlike her to do it again.

Frustrated and disheartened, I trudge after Lukys as we trek back to the forest. The sun is already descending in front of us. Hunger pains my stomach and I eye his back before glancing at the encampment one final time.

Lukys…

It’s going to take him weeks, if not months, to gain an entitlement. I have no interest in camping out in the forest until then.

I’m going to have to leave him.

Because it’s obvious he’s not going to let me go beyond the barricade alone. I’m almost afraid to bring it up. Ever since last night… Lukys has barely left my side, constantly brushing his tail against me. If he’s not doing that, he’s circling it around my legs protectively. His constant nearness is at once comforting and wholly distracting. I’ve been inhaling his pheromones all day.

Stepping through the trees, I spot the burned-out firepit from this morning and the satchel. Lukys drops my pack beside them.

“You have gone quiet.” He eyes me sharply as he circles the grove for kindling. “I am sorry you did not find your sister today.”

I walk to my bag and plop down beside it, mentally and physically exhausted. “It was a long shot.” I sigh, tired out by the constant onslaught of conversation with traumatized strangers. I pull off my shoes and rub the soles of my feet. I’m not the only one searching for somebody, that’s for sure. “I can’t be certain until I check the registry.” I shift my gaze to his face as he places sticks and moss in the firepit.

“Do you think she could be inside? Even after today?”

“I don’t know… I’m worried that she might try to disguise herself if she’s not with Mateo and his ship. She was when I lost contact with her but she hadn’t left The Dreadnaut yet. She could have, if she made it out, gotten transport with someone else.” I try not to think of the alternative.

“Then we will check the registry.”