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“... and with the recent increase in drug sales, we should start profiting in my territory within the month,” I say, standing stock still as my bugs tear themselves apart outside.
Coil stares at the report I put in front of him for a moment, before nodding in satisfaction. “Excellent. Once again, you’ve exceeded my expectations, Miss Hebert.”
My skin crawls as he uses my name, not that I let it show. No weakness. I can’t give in. I’m doing this for her. I’m doing everything for her. “Thank you, sir.”
Coil stares at me, waiting for me to leave. “Was there something else?”
My bugs vibrate. He promised. He promised . “I’d like to see her, as we agreed.”
Coil inclines his head, as if he had expected just that. Of course he had, the absolute bastard. “Of course, you need only ask. Pitter will open the door for you. You can have an hour, and I trust you need no reminder of the rules?”
I jerk my head, remembering the last time we tried to push things. She puts on a brave face about it, but neither of us have pushed him since. Satisfied, he waves a hand towards the door, and I step out into the hall.
My footfalls echo through the empty halls, and I make a reminder to revisit the soles of my boots. I can make them softer, silenter. Another tool in my box for when I move to free her from his clutches. Another bullet in the gun.
At least this time the Nine won’t ruin all my plans.
“Oh, Skitter, what are you-” Sundancer cuts herself off, suddenly realizing what she’s asking. Her expression morphs from confusion to pity. I suppress the rage. It’s not fair to her, yet I can’t help but remember how she didn’t try to help. How she didn’t care.
“I’m going to see her. Is she well?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“I don’t know, I haven’t...” she trails off, a guilt stricken expression adorning her face.
I clench my teeth under my mask. “It’s fine. I know you don’t care about her.”
I walk away, ignoring the stammering protests of the girl behind me. I used to like her. Thought that she was a good person underneath it all. The one good Traveler, I thought. I was wrong, of course. None of them are good.
At least Krouse understands me, even if sometimes I think it would be better if he didn’t.
I reach the door to her cell, wrapping on the cold steel three times in a pattern. Mr Pitter opens the door, smiling in his blank placid way, before waving me into the observation room. “Welcome Miss Skitter, have you come to visit my charge? She’ll appreciate it, she so looks forward to your visits.”
I nod, my mouth dry as I avoid looking through the one way mirror. “How is she?”
His blank eyes never waver, although he lets a sheepish affect creep into his expression. “As well as can be expected. The headaches are bothering her again, but it’s a good day. Coil hasn’t needed her yet, and she’s due for another dose. She ah, asked if you could give it to her, if you were here. She trusts you more than me.”
I nod, accepting the colorful pills from the blank faced man. A month ago I would have balked at doing this. A month ago I had more hope that my plan would work.
A month ago I had a plan.
“See that she takes them, will you?” he says.
For a second, I want to kill him. Beat his face into a pulp, drown him in insects, rip off his fingers one by one. I take a deep breath. “We both know that won’t be a problem.”
I move to the door, watching as he dispassionately inputs today’s code into the keypad. I used to try and keep track of them, as if it would somehow give me an edge. As if it would somehow make the difference in saving her.
The door clicks open, and I push my way into the room, taking off my mask in the process. I barely have it off when I’m practically tackled into a hug by the captive girl. “You came back.”
I tighten my arms around her, squeezing in reassurance even as I hear the door click shut behind me. “Of course I did, I would never abandon you.”
She steps back, bright green eyes focused on me as if she could somehow unlock the secrets of the universe. I reach up, pushing a stray strand of blonde hair out of her face. I smile, and she gives me a smile of her own in return; it makes her freckles stand out against her far too pale face.
“How long do you have?” Lisa asks, voice cracking slightly to hide her desperation.
“As long as you need,” I respond, knowing that it will never be enough.
Her eyes water, and I gently stroke her hand with my thumb. She pulls me to the bed, before settling down on my lap, and moving in for a kiss. I thread my fingers in her hair, scratching at her scalp with alternate fingers.
Three more days.
I spell out in Morse code, repeating the message until I get a response.
Coil figured out Noelle. Hiding it from the Travelers. We can fix her.
She replies, tracing the message against my lips with her tongue.
I kiss her more intensely, letting my relief shine through for just a moment. That was the last piece we needed for the plan. With the Travelers in our corner, this could actually work.
You’re incredible. I love you.
Her face splits into a smirk at my response, and she traces letters against my cheek with an idle finger.
I know I am. I love you too. Now, listen carefully, because I don’t want to spell this more than once...
As we exchange messages and plans between stolen kisses, I let myself feel something I never expected to ever have again.
Hope.