Thrall by Matthew S. Cox

Author:Matthew S. Cox [Cox, Matthew S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781620077269
Published: 2015-03-29T07:00:00+00:00

he patrol craft slid through the early morning city, following a diagonal path over the city grid. Its black reflection glided over silver windows, sliding closer and drifting away with each passing building. Civilian hover traffic flowed several stories below. The pass-through display on the armored windscreen compensated for sun glare, allowing her to see as she followed a ribbon of light leading to the navigation pin. Kirsten flicked on the autodrive and sat back with a fresh cup of hot mocha coffee in both hands. The fragrance and warmth were soothing; she drew in a deep breath and basked in the orange light of the rising sun.

“I’m sorry. Some things I didn’t want to re-live.”

Dorian shook his head. “I’m not at all upset at you for not saying anything. I’m furious with the bastard who used you like that. I killed a suggestive for molesting a girl older than you were then. I’m pissed.”

“Now you know why I never told you. I knew it would upset you and there’s nothing to be done about it. I wanted to spare you the… pain.” She stared into the distance for a moment. “I’ve thought about finding him, making him apologize or just kicking his ass.” Kirsten held the cup to her lips, closing her eyes at the sweet warmth settling into her stomach. “Course, I’d probably just feel bad for him and bring him food. How screwed up was I to think he was so much nicer than Mother? I’d have rather stayed with him than gone home.”

Dorian didn’t laugh. “He did it to you; he’ll do it to some other girl.”

“It was ten years ago, Dorian. Besides, there aren’t that many children down there. What few there are live in small colonies with their parents. Hard to keep secrets in those little villages; justice down there is harsh. He’s probably dead already by now, especially if Ritchie made good on his threat. Besides, he didn’t force me to do anything.”

“Waving meat at a starving dog isn’t forcing it to do anything either.”

“I could have walked away. I could have gone up top and begged. I could have gone dumpster diving again. No, I have to accept some of it. I wanted the easy way out for once. It didn’t hurt… much. He was so nice and I was lonely.”

“You were twelve,” Dorian grumbled. “I’m gonna go find the son of a bitch.”

“Let it go. I don’t even really remember what he looked like―all I see is a faceless man in a flannel shirt. I still smell him.” She put her nose over the cup again. “I don’t want to think about it anymore. That’s an old life. Why does it bother you so much? I haven’t let it affect me. I went into that little shack with both eyes open. I knew what he wanted.” She sat for a moment, squeezing at the control sticks. “I’m sorry for not being innocent like you thought I was.”

“Stop. No part of that was your fault.

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