Weight of Ashes by Rook Winters

Author:Rook Winters [Winters, Rook]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-26T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 28: COURT

“Our IDs were stolen. Someone was dropping off new ones for us. Do you know where that would be?”

Elle did a sickly sweet voice, making herself sound more like a naive teenager than a nervous fugitive. The guard grunted something unintelligible in response and pointed at a SPECIAL PROCESSING sign.

“I thought you knew the way already from the map,” Court whispered.

“I do but we need to look believable. The good news is that so far the layout matches what I saw.”

They told their cover story again to the bored-looking clerk at the special processing counter, who fished their ID bracelets from a box.

“You all should get these implanted since you’re old enough,” the clerk said, tapping his own forearm. “A lot harder to get your arm stolen.”

Elle continued with her faux sweet voice. “Oh, I know. I’ve been saying that for months. I think this’ll be the thing to get us off our behinds and get it done.”

The clerk scanned their IDs almost absentmindedly, focusing more on Elle’s smile than whatever displayed on his tablet. Court couldn’t blame him. She had an enchanting smile when she let it show.

“You all have a nice day.” The clerk didn’t look at Court when he said it.

“I need to use the lavatory,” she said, grabbing Court’s hand and leading him to the hallway. She kept quickening their pace the further they got from the security checkpoint.

“Keep your head down. Don’t look around,” she said.

Court did as she instructed. The throbbing of his heart pulsated in his ears. This was the moment of truth. He didn’t want to find out what happens when you skip out on ID forgers in a big city.

The clerk called after them. “Ms. Sir. Just a moment. Hold on a second.”

“Keep moving,” Elle said.

They pushed into a throng of several dozen people streaming through the luggage area. A meaty hand pressed on Court’s chest.

“Our friends from Alma,” the man said. He was big, too big for Court to brush aside. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“We need to go,” Elle said.

“Not yet. We haven’t concluded our business.”

“Yes, we have.”

“You still owe us.”

“We paid in Alma.”

“No, you didn’t. And here we charge extra for cash on delivery.”

Court could hear the clerk shouting after them from the hallway, his voice growing closer.

“Help, security,” Elle screamed. She waved frantically at a nearby security guard. “He’s trying to rob us. Help.”

The guard began moving in their direction. The big man took his hand off Court’s chest, his eyes darting around the room, assessing. People had slowed and stopped walking to stare at them. From further away, several people started running. Two were dressed like the security guard, one was not. The closest guard pulled a stick from his belt. It looked like the Scorpion baton that had killed Marsh.

Elle kicked the man in the groin. He yelped and doubled over.

“Run,” she said.

Court chased her toward an outside door. The security guard yelled something at them as they ran past.

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