Convergence - The Last Science #2.1 - In Plain Sight

B2: Chapter 12 - The Emerald City (Part II) - III

  "Yeah, but if you want to stay 'til that scabs over, I gotchu. They ain't gonna bust you so hard now that they know you can't go snitch."

  Couldn't anyone just go spy on you if they make their own mark, then? This doesn't make sense. None of this place makes any sense. I hate it. Still, Natalie wasn't about to say that out loud. If she pointed out the flawed logic, they might change their mind about letting her go.

  "If I go back out the door, what way should I go?"

  "Walk the coast and follow that back all the way to downtown. You're tryin' to get back to Tacoma, right?"

  She shrugged. South in general was good enough.

  "We own the coast, so no one's gonna fuck with you down there." He handed her a glass of water, which she downed gratefully. He hesitated. "So... They're gonna ask you if you want to work for us. Actual enforcement shit."

  She didn't respond, biting into another piece of bread with a blank expression.

  "Look, it's way better than trickin', and that's where most girls like you end up. I think you could be a warrior. You seem like you could handle it, and no one expects a kid to pull the shit you can pull." He was trying to sound nice. "I mean, blazin' ain't bad work. You get paid, you get girls—or guys, or both, if that's your deal," he added quickly. "Wait, you ain't even old enough to get that, are you? I'm an idiot. You'll love it someday though. Shit, you even get some of the product if you use. So long as you can keep it clean on a run, you do whatever the fuck you want. You get to be a king."

  "Queen," she murmured.

  "Queen, sure, whatever the fuck you want. British fuckers got a queen right?"

  She nodded. She got to her feet, finding it much easier than she expected. The pain on the side of her face didn't subside, but she didn't really want it to. It was a constant reminder for her, keeping her awake. Alert.

  Angry.

  You're in control now. They don't know it yet, but you do. Do it.

  Natalie walked to the door of the room, Door-guy right behind her. She emerged back into the main floor. The fire had barely dipped at all, so very little time had passed. The group was still seated around the fire, though they looked up as she walked forward to the edge of the circle.

  Tattoo-face was back on his couch with his companion. His expression was still just as casual and blank as before. "Little bitch tell you what's on offer?"

  She nodded. For some reason, she didn't really feel afraid of them anymore. Maybe it was because she'd decided not to hold back, or maybe it was because they'd already shown what they were willing to do. Either way, all the ambiguity was gone. In its place was the beginning of a cascade, like a drum solo that was slowly building up to a fierce crescendo. Natalie had listened to her father play so many of those solos. One day, she'd manage to play along with him. She'd been learning the piano just for that reason.

  She'd probably never get the chance now.

  "Your call, girl. I don't want a fighter who ain't gonn' show when the time comes. No one can be forced into this shit. Butchu ain't gonna get another offer anywhere else. That mark's permanent. You one of us whether you wanna be or not."

  Natalie glanced around. They were all still seated. None of them were prepared. Stutter had lost his gun. The boss still had his, tucked into the apron he still hadn't taken off, but his hand wasn't anywhere near it. Weasel-face was watching her resentfully, and Tattoo-face's companion wasn't paying any attention at all.