Page 21 of Out of My Flocking Mind

“Being a Mind is difficult in a way the other clans don’t deal with. We are not human, but we have to live human lives. We don’t age slower, we aren’t immortal, we are as likely to fall sick or injured as any human. Additionally, our powers can’t be turned off or ignored.”

“How does increasing a person’s power help that?”

“Because for that bit of time, we get to revel in what we are. It’s like…bloodlust for a vampire. It strips away all the questions, all the fears, everything. Instead of feeling all those negative things myself, I get to taste them from someone else.” As she spoke, her eyes glazed over.

I’d seen that look before, from alcoholics who knew how terrible liquor was for them, but still missed their fond memories of it. At least this time, she didn’t seem likely to attack me over it.

“So if no one has been here that you think could have done it, you can’t offer anything. Thanks anyway, sorry for interrupting your meeting.” I rose, feeling as though we’d made little progress.

“Wait,” a boy who couldn’t have been over sixteen said. His voice was soft, as though he had to fight with himself to force the words from his throat. He trembled, and my chest ached as I looked at him.

A kid that young shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t have that terrified look on his face. He should be chasing girls and going to school and worried about little beyond a party that weekend. How the fuck was he here, in a meeting for addicts?

I said nothing, pausing to give him the time and space to gather his courage and speak.

Finally, he lifted his gaze to mine. “There’s more Cloud coming through lately, and it’s stronger than before.”

“How do you know that?” Reba asked.

The boy flinched, rubbing his hands together as though to dispel his nerves. “People talk. I know more and more Minds who have tried it out lately.” He shook his head, then rushed out, “But not me. I’m done with it, I swear. I just hear about it.”

Reba offered a smile more reassuring than I thought she could make. It seemed she wasn’t quite as cold as she’d seemed before. Then again, I had a feeling Harrison could bring that negative side out of people pretty easily. “I know that. Just tell us what you know.”

The boy nodded, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. “A year ago, no one really knew about Cloud. It was just whispered about in bad areas. Now, though? I don’t think I know almost any Minds who haven’t had at least a tiny taste. Cloud is really hard to make. Not many people can do it—it’s almost an art. Lately, the stuff that has been coming out all has a sparrow on it.”

“You’re telling me people sign the drugs they make now?” The idea seemed like something out of a shitty crime show. “Isn’t that stupid?”

“People want to make money,” the kid said. “They want credit for what they do. The issue with Cloud has moved around a lot, it’s usually only a problem at one place at a time. I think…” He paused, as though he wasn’t sure how to say it, before taking a deep breath and just putting it out there. “I think there’s only one main maker of cloud. The other stuff, it’s like replicated—and not well—but the good stuff only shows up one place.”

“So you’re telling me the main distributor of Cloud is here now?”

“That’s my guess.”

“So if I can find that main distributor and stop them, then the person after me won’t be able to get anymore Cloud and will just have whatever he’s already bought?”

“Cloud doesn’t last more than a few days. It decays fast. So if you can stop the person making it, after a few days, you’ll be safe,” the kid acknowledged.

Finally, some good news, a plan, a possible way forward.

Who said kids were useless these days? As it turned out, they knew where the drugs were!

* * * *

My head ached, no matter how hard I tried to ignore it. It wasn’t a hangover, not anymore.

Maybe I had a cold coming on? I tended to be hardier than humans, but I still could catch the nasty bugs when they went around.

“You are frowning,” Harrison said. “Are you bored here? I know people can be uncomfortable being alone so much.”

“No. I don’t really mind that part, especially with how crazy my life was for a while. It’s kind of nice, honestly.”

“So why are you frowning?”

“I’m not feeling great,” I admitted. “I was thinking I should go over to Galen’s.”

“Why?”

“He’s a good mother hen type. I bet he’d make me soup and fuss over me.”

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