Page 136 of Seven Oars
He didn’t reply.Instead, he kicked the panel hard, activating the chute. It hissed and began to shrink the aperture.
Rosamma burst into uncontrollable sobs.
How many times had the trash chute performed its grisly duty? And how many more were still left to perform?
They were all doomed. This place was an open grave. The last one would stay here forever, for no one would be left to work the chute.
She spoke the words aloud, babbling and crying. She hated the pirates with a passion, and she hated this place. A warped, dark hole, that was what this station was. Cursed.
Grief-stricken, she slid to the floor, right underneath the chute.
“You won’t stay here forever,” said a dry, quiet voice.
She started violently. Caught up in her grief, she thought he’d left.
Wiping the worst of her tears with a sleeve, she looked up.
His face was in the shadow.
“Promise me,” she ground out, her voice low and intense,“that you will send me to the stars when I die.”
He went still.
“Say you’ll do it!” she demanded, losing all reason.“I won’t stay here, dead. The mere thought is unbearable.”
“I promise,” he said quietly. The rounded vowels of his inflection washed over her like warm water.
When used like this, his distinct voice was soothing. It took the edge off, calming her frayed psyche.
She suddenly felt like a child, looking up at a strict, unemotional parent who never lost his temper.
He lowered into a crouch in front of her.
“Before we get to that…” he said, extracting a device from his belt.“I don’t have a stunner to give you. To use like your brother did.”
His stern mouth twisted, but he didn’t fully smile.
“This is a real laser gun. It can do a lot of damage, and I want you to remember that.”
“I don’t want it,” Rosamma mumbled, sniffing.
He ignored her.
“Carry it around. If you’re ever in danger, shoot. Just put it on the lowest setting.” He turned the device—the gun—sideways to show her a small slider that regulated the force of the beam.
“I don’t know how to shoot, Fincros.”
He took her limp hand and placed the gun in her palm.
It was heavier than it looked. The smooth casing was cold to the touch.
“Point and squeeze the handle,” he said.“Don’t overthink it. And be quick. You’ll have the element of surprise in your favor.”
She stared wordlessly at the gun. Then she slowly raised her eyes to his face.
I can shoot him now.
“Yes, you can shoot me now.” He smirked, reading her mind.
