Page 66 of Homebound
He bowed his head at her and moved on, walking on his backward-bent legs to the door that led outside.
Confused and shaken, Gemma went to the second floor. Arc was gone, and she knew for sure she wouldn’t miss him. Now, if she could find a quiet corner to crawl in and curl into herself, she’d appreciate it. Her fever continued to rage.
Gemma barely remembered getting herself home that night. There might have been another small riot going on where City residents clashed with the migrants, and where Perali, like vampires feeding on bad blood, ripped into fighting men. She recalled seeing a troop of militants trotting briskly to break up the fight, but she didn’t stick around long enough to see what happened.
She slept, restlessly, waking up throughout the night. In the morning, her entire body ached and she could scarcely imagine getting out of bed much less walking for miles in the frigid winter weather and to work all day at the prison.
She slurped her yogurt and drank some water. She bundled up and she went. The cold air took her breath away and burned her over-sensitive feverish skin. But she went.
The stun gun guard paid her little attention but another helper from the line asked if she was alright.
“Yeah, a little under the weather.”
“I’d say…”
As a teammate, she was useless today. She got to the second floor and slid down to sit with her back to the wall, eyes closed, watching interesting blue and purple clouds swim behind her eyelids. Emato bitched a little about having to do her job but even he left her alone, seeing how clearly sick Gemma was. She was grateful. She needed to tell him that.
She was just going to rest for a bit… keeping… track of time…
Cold hands touched her burning ones jerking Gemma awake. Ruby’s face swam in front of her eyes.
“What… Ruby?”
Here, on the second floor, sitting with Gemma on the cold concrete, was Ruby.
“My God, girl, you need to be home.”
“How did you get here?”
“Marigold said she saw you come in looking like death.”
“Marigold?” Gemma had trouble concentrating.
“Yes, Marigold, the all-seeing eye.”
Things were starting to make sense. Gradually.
Gemma rubbed her eyes. “How did you get inside here?”
“Your nice co-worker let me in. She said you’re unwell.”
“I am. What bad timing.”
Ruby smiled a little. “Is there a good one?”
Gemma struggled to her feet with Ruby’s help.
“I saw Arc leave yesterday.”
“Yeah, he was released. And so was one of the other Perali, the one next to the green man’s cell.”
“How is Simon?”
“I knew you were going to ask. Fine. Same as always. Sitting in the dark like a mushroom.”
“Did you tell him about me?”
“Yes, and let me tell you, I felt right stupid doing that. Like I was talking to a post. Are you sure he isn’t deaf?”
