Page 27 of Marcus-stiltskin

“And you would be correct.”

“Unfortunately, most of what we do for large animals involves shit.” I put Freddie K. on the ground. Marcus hands me a device that looks like a shovel and rake combined, grabs one himself and drops it in a wheelbarrow. “It’s one thousand percent unglamorous, but necessary or we’ll be drowning in crap before we know it.”

He starts to scoop up piles here and there, so I do the same. I’ve honestly done probably most of these chores at one point or another for Jacqueline and Lugh, but if he wants to show me exactly how he does it, I don’t mind. We work in silence, cleaning the messiest part of the yard–an area close to the back door where he has a feeder for the animals and a few huge buckets for water. After most of the piles are picked up, we put fresh hay in the feeders and refill the water.

“I’m going to let them out now.” The back doors have a chain connected to a pulley that he pulls on to allow it to roll up. As soon as the door is open high enough for them to duck under, the donkeys come wandering out, making a beeline straight for the hay. Freddie K. stays close to my feet. Images of the donkeys in my yard float across my mind.

“So,” Marcus says as I watch Willow shove her way into the feed troth, “your stage name is Steely?”

I guess we’re on this topic again. “It is.” I turn and look at him. “You can ask me anything, you know. I’m not embarrassed about what I do.”

“I don’t want you to be. I’m not trying to make you feel that way. I guess I’m just trying to wrap my mind around it.”

“If you don’t mind my bluntness, it’s really not something you need to worry about.” I try to keep my voice steady, to hide theemotion that threatens to come out. “It’s a job. I sell my body just like you and Lugh did to the U.S. government.”

He snorts. “Only they wanted our minds, too.”

“Did they get it?”

He runs a hand over his head and looks out at the donkeys. It’s a long while before he says anything. “Sometimes I think I made it, and sometimes I’m not so sure.”

I shrug. “If you were crazy, you wouldn’t question your sanity, so you’re probably fine.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Thanks, doctor.”

“Anytime.” I dust my hands off on my pants. “What else can I do to help out today?”

“We’ll have to clean up inside too for the next few days. The Dvergar will be here tomorrow to put up a shelter for them so they can start living outside.”

I grab my shovel and follow him inside, where we clean in silence.

“Sorry to keep you so long. I didn’t realize the time.” Marcus says as we finish up. I check my watch–it’s ten til noon.

I shrug. “I came to help.”

“Yes, but you’re here as a volunteer, not an employee. My goal isn’t to work you to death.”

“It’s fine, Marcus. Do you mind if I wash up?”

He nods and I follow him back inside to the sink in the bay. We wash in silence but on the inside, I’m wishing I could go back to how it felt to stand next to him a few days ago.

“Sarah,” he starts. I meet his eyes and I’m sure the annoyance that gnaws at my gut shows on my face. I’m not a kid anymore, but having to say that aloud would make me feel like one.

“Marcus, I appreciate your concern for me, but I can’t be friends with you if you’re going to continue to question my decisions like this. I’m not going to spend every minute in your presence defending myself and the choices I’ve made.”

He runs his hand across his head like he does and sighs. “I’m fucking this up. I’m not–I want to know the adult Sarah.”

“The adult Sarah?”

“The last time you spoke to me, you were fifteen and now you’re twenty-seven…it’s a change I’m getting used to.”

“So, in your brain, I’m still fifteen?” Well, that’s gross.

He shakes his head. “In my head, you’re two different people and I want to get to know this version of you better.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “Then why all the weirdness about my job?”

He steps closer, boxing me in against the wall, and sighs. “Sarah, you don’t walk with the evil in this world like I have and not see a lot of fucked up stuff. You might be safe in this job, but I can’t tell you how many people in this world are trafficked into jobs just like yours all the time. It’s a little unnerving.”

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