Snow Globe Travelers by K. A. Cummins

Author:K. A. Cummins [Cummins, K.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-73292-001-9
Publisher: Eleonora Press via Indie Author Project

14

The three of us rode the train back to the Red District and walked the few blocks to their home in silence. Every second stretched into four, and with each, my muscles stiffened. Elohi's blend of familiar and unfamiliar was confusing. I wanted to understand, but some things made little sense.

Toady greeted us at the door, falling silent at the look on Elias's face.

Elias headed straight through to the back door in the kitchen.

As he passed, Mrs. Zogel stepped out of her office on the right side of the hallway. She glanced towards the kitchen and then to the Mag and I standing in the entryway. "It didn't go well, did it?"

Mag sighed and closed the door behind us. "No."

"Have a seat." Mrs. Zogel gestured towards the living room.

Mag and I sank onto the couch. Mrs. Zogel followed and sat in a wingback chair next to the fireplace.

"Toady, would you mind making some tea, please?" Mrs. Zogel asked.

Toady nodded and waddled off.

Mrs. Zogel folded her hands in her lap. "Tell me what happened."

As Mag explained, a weight settled on my chest. I stared at the rays of afternoon sun, glowing like embers across the hardwood floor. Particles of dust swirled above the orange glow and every obstacle in the room cast a lurking shadow.

"Sarah?" Mrs. Zogel asked.

I swallowed and looked at Mrs. Zogel, her eyes filled with concern. "I'm sorry. I only wanted to help." Tears blurred my vision.

Mrs. Zogel leaned forward and handed me a tissue from the box on the coffee table. She waited to speak until I had dried my eyes. "Sarah, I understand you thought it was the right thing to do." She straightened. "I'm not angry, but, for all of our safety, I need you to understand the implications."

I nodded and drew in a shaky breath.

"As the Red District council leader, I'm involved with the gravitational disturbance investigation. They haven't determined the cause only because they aren't aware an off-worlder is here. Because no one has reported one." She paused. "Do you know the presence of any off-worlder is to be reported?"

I froze. Reported? Was that why, on the first day, Mrs. Zogel'd asked if he'd spoken to his patrol leader? He was supposed to have reported me. But he didn't.

"Elias mentioned there were strict policies and we would need to be careful who we talked to." I said. "But I didn't know about the reporting off-worlders part."

She exhaled. "Well, as a patrol guard, a meeting request from Elias will draw attention, especially with an ongoing investigation. While I believe we can trust the councilwoman, we cannot risk drawing the attention a formal request will bring. With you in our care, we must use extra caution."

The bottom dropped out of my stomach. I thought of Mr. Menker on the first day I'd arrived. The fear on Mr. Menker's face and the cold, satisfaction on Malvine's. When Malvine discovered an off-worlder was here, he'd be looking for me.

Mrs. Zogel continued. "Speaking with the councilwoman is now not just a matter of getting information, but also of getting the request removed from the system.

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