Page 82 of The Order

“Are you stealing?” Kai questions, making me slap my hand on my face out of annoyance.

“No,” Hunter says, giving me a somber look. “My family runs a bakery in my sector, so once a week they let me take the used and broken supplies your people don't need here in the market,” Hunter says, pointing out the box of broken eggs and produce.

“Scraps,” I finally say, shaking my head at the sight in front of me.

“They don’t…. They don’t give you new items in your sector?” Kai questions, genuinely curious for the first time in this whole conversation.

Hunter audibly laughs but quickly covers his mouth. I watch his face grow red. Kai’s eyes go wide.

“I’m sorry, I didn't realize what I said was funny,” Kai says, looking more flustered than usual.

I glance up at my brother, mouthing a “shut up” that only makes him shrug his shoulders at me.

“No, that was my fault. I didn't mean to laugh,” Hunter says. “We are blessed to get what we have-”

“Our people give them nothing. Don't be modest,” I say, cutting off the canned response I know Hunter is about to use to appease us.

Kai looks from me to Hunter, waiting for the man to confirm my words.

“We rarely get support," Hunter says, looking pained as he rubs his lower back.

“Did you hurt yourself doing all of this on your own?” Kai questions, struggling to hide the concern in his voice.

“I thought I had someone willing to help me,” Hunter says, my eyes snapping to him, “I think he is still working off a hangover-”

“Fallan’s here?” I question, watching Hunter and Kai both give me a confused look.

“How did you know I meant him?” Hunter questions. Moving towards Kai, I notice he has started picking up a bag to load onto the cart.

“Maybe that’s who your late-night visitor was,” Kai says sarcastically. “I was placing bets on Xavier, but maybe I’m wrong," he continues, only making my face grow redder once the thought of both men’s hands on me fills my mind.

“I was kidding,” Kai pauses, clearly noticing that I had grown flustered. “Did one of them visit you?” he pushes.

Even Hunter looks interested in my answer.

“Just pick up the bag,” I snap, turning away from the boys.

Kai’s face grows red, straining against the weight of the flour. It's not often he has to do any labor.

The two men work together to carry the bags, exchanging a few words that make Kai smile. I lean against the wall, watching the two interact. Kai is nervous and unsure of what to do or say. It is not in his nature to be cruel, and because of it, he has no way to uphold the ideologies of hate he has seen so often associated with Unfortunates. Hunter openly displays his kind and caring nature. He seems open to forgive or to forget, I'm not sure which, but it’s an obvious difference from Fallan’s inability to work towards some sort of meaningful connection between us.

“You didn’t need to help," Hunter says, loading the last bag.

Hunter rolls up his sleeves, revealing several bruises up and down his arms. Kai’s smile drops as he sees them. I take a step forward to get a better look, filled with a sudden anger. Hunter looks embarrassed, forcing his sleeves back down. I watch him rub the back of his neck, looking between us with a lowered head.

“Did an Untouchable do that to you?” I question, watching Kai’s expression turn to something like anguish.

“It doesn’t matter,” Hunter begins, rubbing his eyes with his fingers, “I was out past curfew one night, and I gave an Official some lip. I just needed to get something for my grandmother-”

“They hurt you for just being out a little later? No rule was broken,” Kai questions, looking confused by his words.

“Did you think they didn't hurt us for fun?” Hunter says, genuinely looking for an answer.

“I told you, Kai,” I say, watching my brother's eyes dart to me once more. “I can only tell you so much. Sometimes, you must see it for yourself,” I whisper, feeling the weight of the situation come down on him.

“How long have they done this?” Kai questions, receiving a laugh from both Hunter and me.

“Well, let's see,” Hunter begins, giving Kai a smirk,

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