Page 26 of Healing Creek
After the others had gone, they selected their meals and Creek led her back through the corridors. When they arrived at the place he called a garden, she could see why he’d called it that. The domed room was much more than a place where food was grown. There were crops, yes. But also flowers, fruit trees, and vines growing over an arbor. Tables and chairs had been placed there for quiet relaxation and picnics like the one Creek had suggested. At the far side of the room, Grace spotted rows of work benches and equipment. Creek led her to a table positioned near a view screen.
“I can set it to display one of the saved images.” Creek indicated the screen.
“You’ve picnicked here before?”
“No. I saw the workers change the screen and asked them how it worked.”
Grace sat and smoothed her hands down her thighs below the table. He didn’t strike her as someone comfortable asking strangers for help. Appreciation fluttered through her chest. “That would be nice.”
He pressed some buttons and the screen shifted to an afternoon view of some lush agricultural world. A holographic projection immersed them in the image. Small creatures made of light fluttered around them. One with colorful wings came to rest on the table between them.
Creek tilted his head as he studied the wonder of technology and light. “They’re beautiful. Do you have them on your world?”
“They’re called butterflies, and most worlds have these or something similar.”
“It’s small and delicate,” said Creek. “But the workers told me they are also strong.”
“That’s right,” agreed Grace. “On Old Earth, some butterflies fly thousands of miles in rough winds as they migrate with the seasons.” She hesitated as she glanced around the green space. “It’s lovely here. How did you find it?” She unfolded the top of her meal box and spread the lid pieces back.
Creek did the same, his big hands dealing efficiently with his container. “I came across it in our initial security sweep and my rounds also bring me through this space. The gardeners were deemed low risk but must still be monitored.”
“It’s a big ship.” She took a bite of her sandwich.
“Yes, but the slaves we released are helping with security.”
Unlike her. She was still being watched, like the crew. Her thoughts must have shown on her face. He reached out and placed a warm hand over one of hers where it rested on the table.
“We know you are concealing something. You can trust us with your secrets.”
She pulled her hand away. “Like you trust me.”
“I do trust you, Grace. I know you mean us no harm.”
Her fingers tapped against her thigh. She wasn’t worthy of his trust. She wanted to tell him everything, but she couldn’t risk losing her sister. If Ghost was in holding, could he get out a message to Roma? For just a moment she wished one of her siblings were there. They were so much smarter than her. They would know the right thing to do.
“But the others don’t trust me.”
He shrugged.
“You seem different from them.” His shoulders sagged and she regretted her words immediately. Unsure what she’d said wrong, she didn’t know what to say to make it better.
***
“They’re a pack. I’m not part of any pack.” Creek supposed it was good that Grace could see he was not one of them. Maybe it would make it easier for her to tell him her truth. It didn’t matter that it hurt his heart to hear her say it. When she didn’t respond he added, “I’ve been free longer. Nearly two years.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Before that, you must have—”
He shook his head. “The house I was raised in trained Dogs like me together, but never in groups. Our trainers were always changing. Those we trained with changed, too. We were trained to fight alone. We ate alone. We slept alone. Connections were not allowed.” Too hard to kill a brother. Too hard to tear a friend to bloody shreds. Too hard to face day after day in the death matches.
He flinched when she touched him. Laid her small, warm hand on his forearm. “It was terrible, what they did, but you survived. You’re free.” Was he? “They’ll be your pack if you allow them.”
He suppressed a bark of laughter. “They don’t know—” About his house. That he was a cage fighter, used to punish Dogs too weak for the arena or too dangerous to the masters. Too dangerous to live.
He hadn’t told Jupiter and none of them seemed to recognize his name, so his truth was safe for now.
Grace watched him, eyes soft, smile sad, and waited for him to finish.
“When they learn I’m not like them they won’t want me among them.”
