Chapter 2: Rose

The rust bucket of a town wasn’t so bad, and it’s grown on me these past few years. There are good people here, but with a name like Stixs it makes it seem like a drag. Navigating the town was a breeze now, and I knew everyone’s hiding spots. I caught a few guards slacking off, and a quick glance shot them back to work. No one got in my way. It was like a sea parting before me, which is how it should be. I didn’t try to be intimidating, it happens. I suppose being a trained assassin would contribute to that also.

And you wonder why people don’t like you.

The market was massive, taking up the center of town with various stalls and stands. Residents who helped start the city received a few permant spots. Although most people were compliant with the permit process, a few bad apples always snuck in. I assigned extra guards to handle disputes, and it seemed to keep the peace. The guards saluted me, but I kept walking.

“Pretty rude not salute back,” Alex said.

I glared at him. “Not doing it.”

Alex laughed, but I refused to do it from day one. It brought back memories of my time with the Daughters of Eve. A time when we would salute to identify each other in the open. A simple flat hand across the heart with the ring finger under the palm. It was something I refused to do after leaving them, and I told myself I’d never do any salute again.

“But you never say why, though.”

I ignored his insistent questions, and he finally stopped. I wanted to explain it to him, tell him about my past. But he wouldn’t understand. Some skeletons should stay buried.

The smell of slow simmering meat filled the air. We stopped to pick up the usual order of breakfast and a small box for lunch which Alex slipped into his bag. Most of the traders seemed to be in the right places. I had to move only two who had their spots mixed up, but they asked to stay since they were set up already. I agreed it would be fine for today, but Leo would insist on keeping with the paperwork.

Heaven forbid his precious paperwork gets messed up.

Leo, captain as the guards called him, was the head of the city. Everything fell under his watchful eye, which I usually had to deal with anyway. He rarely left his office since the paperwork stacked higher each day. His assistant was on the verge of a breakdown from him stressing about nonsense. Last time I checked, he wanted to add turrets to the towers. This idea faded fast. The cost to make them and the hassle of finding parts wasn’t worth the effort.

Alex seemed lost in his own world, but before I could pry, my blood went cold. A tall man in black was watching us. His tattered and faded cowboy attire was out of place, but I knew it was him.

Alex snapped his finger at me. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

You have no idea.

I moved in front of his view as he turned to see what I was looking at. “I need you to make a few stops for me. Some supplies for our training today. I need to deal with something, it won’t take long.”

He sighed, annoyed, crossing his arms. “Fine, I get the hint.”

I handed him a slip of paper. “It isn’t like that, Alex. trust me. Get the stuff and meet me at the gate. It won’t take long.”

With the paper in hand, he waved me away. “Aye, aye, sir.”

He glanced at it and slipped it into his pocket as he faded away into the crowd. When I knew he was far enough, I began to look for the cowboy, but he stood right before me.

“Been a long time Rose.”

His raspy voice and thick drawl made my skin crawl. Deep scars littered his sun-damaged face. The left eye was half shut and blood red while the other was a deep pool of amber. His bandana matched the black outfit but stood at an awkward angle over his mouth.

I fought the fear and cracked, “Let's go.”

The jingle of his spurs followed behind me as the town went about their business. Unaware of the danger standing before them. He didn’t say anything as we approached the main gate and entered tower two. I did my best to fake a normal face, with the regular drunkards to avoid attention. The air was full of piss and vomit, which made me clear my throat as Marco smiled.

His rat-face matched his sniveling voice. “Well, well. Look who shows up after telling me my bar is the worst in the wasteland.”

“Not now, dumb a*s.” I leaned close enough to smell his rancid body odor. “The boss is here.”

Marco glanced and stood straight with fear.

“Eran. I’m going by Eran this time.”

“Right. Eran, sir.”

If anyone is going to mess this up, it’s you, Marco.

I faced Eran and whispered. “I need to go. I have some obligations to finish, or it’ll look suspicious.”

Glancing around, I made sure no one was watching us.

“That’s fine. Make sure you stop by later. The plan begins tonight.”

Tonight? No, I had more time than this.

He laughed at my shocked expression. “Yeah, the plan is been pushed up. No more feet dragging. The boys grow up a lot. Is he ready?”

I swallowed hard and nodded. “Today’s the last day, and he’ll be set.”

His large hand rested on my shoulder and shuddered. “Good.”

The jingling echoed in the hollow, metallic tower as he walked away to Marco. I tried to compose myself, but panic was setting in. I had more time. I was going to figure out a compromise, but now everything is falling apart.

Author's Note

1st draft so not perfect. Any comments or suggestions are welcome