Inked Wings
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE - Veins

/ Angel’s POV /

‘Oh, I sent him with Birdie,’ Dad tells me where the kid is and – seriously, Dad?

I’m just back from crossfire and this is the first news I run into. You’d think things are going mundanely on this ship. It is basically a house, more than a “base’. I close my mouth, being at a loss of words. This sudden, annoying news ruins my good mood in an instant.

‘Why did you?’ I inquire of Dad, trying to hide my discontent.

‘He hasn’t been outside in a while, the boy needs fresh air, diverse activities -’ He’s presenting me with a list, counting his fingers.

I mirror his body language, lowering my own fingers, one after the other. ‘He’s a hunted felon, he’s a helpless kid, he’s nearly incompetent in combat.’

′Near incompetent in combat?′

‘He hits and kicks pretty hard,’ I state. ‘No coordination whatsoever.’

‘Are you talking from experience?’ Dad smiles.

I huff. ‘You made a bad call with the right intentions.’

‘I could say the same to you. I’ve heard you and Noel fought?’

I scoff. ‘It was merely a disagreement.’

‘Why are you avoiding him if that is all it was – a mere disagreement?’ He crosses his arms.

‘That’s not what we’re talking about now – send me the exact coordinates the pod dropped them off. I’ll replace the kid and search in his place.’

Dad shakes his head. ‘Tell me why you reject the idea of Noel being part of the family.’

‘He isn’t family!’

‘By now, he pretty much -’

I snap. ‘He can’t be!! Understand?!’

Dad’s expression softens. ‘Oh, dear…you don’t have to be afraid. We’re here for you. For you and Noel. He’s safe with us.’

‘None of you are safe with me…’ Under my breath, I am muttering.

‘What was that?’

I shrug, shaking my wings. ‘Make sure they’re back on time. I’ll deal with this later.’

I hate questioning my resolve.

I hate second thoughts, I hate second guesses, I hate insecurity, I hate this new anxiety.

It’s unlike me.

19:17

I’ve been preoccupied with adjusting new designs. These bombshells aren’t practical enough. I should stick to my original design. It’s harder and harder to replace scraps for these kinds of things. You’d think with the heat MEA’S under they would’ve wiped more planets and left behind what I need. Or it is just that my old designs are based on disappearing material. Past its time...The engine room isn’t the best workplace for handmade explosives but I digress. We have no other space as isolating as this, loud people habiting this ship.

My materials clatter, scattered on the ground. I pile them into a vid pouch. Enough space. I think my distraction has lasted long enough. Bridie and the kid should be back by now.

That is, if my math is correct. It always is.

I exit the engine, wandering the halls. My nose sniffs, pretending to be a Canine. Nah, I just feel warmth in the air. Voices draw me in. Are the kids gossiping again? I

It’s coming from the Centre Room. I walk past the Centre room, into the hall that leads to the Control Panel and – there he is. The kid’s about to fall if he keeps that up. Weird position.

‘...what are you doing?’

This kid – screeches. Scared him, my bad. His heartbeat is two thousand times faster.

He’s stuck himself on the wall, facing me. ‘Stars, you’re so creepy!’ He exclaims.

That is not the first time he tells me I’m shady. I am not that scary, just by sitting around.

I protest. I’m not creepy…not that creepy. Forget that, I’m not creepy at all. I am just living!

‘Did the others spew some nonsense about me? I’ve learned I’m their new hot topic.’ I try to make conversation with him. Avoiding him…yeah, right! Wrong on that one, Dad.

‘Uhh,’ He’s stretching his sentences, watching a scary movie from his demeanor.

He denies it. I have no idea what the others may have been saying but now I’m actually unsettled, and curious. Was it embarrassing? Maybe that is why he’s denying the fact he was eavesdropping a moment ago. It’s getting awkward….I glance at his clothes.

They’re dirtied. Red dust…‘How -’ I bite down that sentence, too…hm. I correct myself. ‘If there’s anything you need, take it by me.’ I try to rephrase what I mean, changing the stupid question into an offer. I also remind him it’s Early Rising this cycle. A couple dozens of hours from tonight, until my feathers get burned. It will bring complications, and put a damp on our streak. I’ll need to think of something. Tomorrow we will keep it low for good measure.

Hah. Noe- the kid, comically passes me, getting away.

He’s escaped me, but my siblings – no.

After I pull on some ears and ignore a few arguments, I wish my siblings goodnight. I tell Dad, the rest of my family and check on Bridie a little bit longer than the others. Unusually, she acts closed off but swears she is fine. I do not force her. Also, I would not know how to go about it, being rare for her to be this kind of upset. To be genuinely distraught. It is best to listen to her wants so I leave her with Alexei. He will cheer her up in no time.

Inside the bedroom, I replace the kid, reaching for his screen. He falters at my sight, returning to standing position. He’s under the covers of his futon, picking his nails’ skin.

It’s been this dire for the whole five days, this dire air probably caused by our conflict.

He isn’t comfortable around me…

I sigh. ‘Kid,’ I make him pay attention to me. ‘I’m going to move to the boil- to another room.’

He blinks. ‘What?’

‘I think you’ll like the space all for yourself. I’ll take some covers and sleep somewhere else.’ I barely sleep anyway, listening to him waste the night playing that video game.

‘You got sick of me or something?’

I shake my head. ‘I’d say it’s the other way around.’

‘Aah…’ He hugs his knees. ‘You don’t have to move…I don’t -’ He lies down, covering himself in three, thick blankets. ‘I don’t really care. You can stay, you can go.’

That is officially the nicest thing he’s said to me ever since I’ve known him. ‘Okay…’

I take a moment. ‘I’ll stay.’

The engine would probably force me to pass out. It is hot there.

28:27

You’d think keeping an eye on a kid obsessed with his screen is a piece of cake. Yeah, fuck no. Prick’s gone out for – I don’t even remember what Dad said was the reason. Honestly, I don’t give a cent. I can’t believe Dad trusted him enough to let him out of his sight. Stupidly, they lost each other in a market. This District’s layout is bullshit anyways. It’s day, when by clock, is not. This, me frantically searching around this market, is ridiculous. Like my work is not delayed enough, the new Sorin sun will rise in a few hours.

Cannot replace the kid with my body burned so I got to replace him now and fast.

‘Chill, man. Your pupils are shaking harder than I’ve ever seen them do,’ Martha graciously remarks through the intercom strapped to my waist.

‘She’s right, your irises move slightly everyday but you look like a Media maniac right now.’ Lukas lets me know swiftly.

‘Any more trivia about myself you want to remind me of?’ I kick a trash container, leaving behind a damp in it.

‘We’re just saying so you get it!’ Lukas says.

I turn off the intercom, interrupting them. I’m really not in the mood.

From this alley, I run back into the stands. They stretch a long way, of course, even to that construction site. You can hardly see the warning sign due to their placements. The kid might’ve gone in there mindlessly. Worth a shot, I’m being quick. One of the windows for the higher floors has yet to be installed. I swoop in. Inside, there’s furniture, as well as small machines wrapped under covers. Small maze, this place lacks organization.

I’m looking for the staircase, preferably the elevator way.

This irks latches on my skin. I am not alone.

This guy’s build, menacingly sneaking up on me. I swung around, dodging his sucker punch.

He throws another two punches I avoid and through it, I notice his badge. MEA scum. Rather stupid to charge at me without a gun. I throw a punch too, he, avoiding it.

I raise my leg from the side and kick his chin, the tip of my foot hitting his temple. Do not got the time for this. I punch his stomach then flee. He chases after me. I internally sigh.

Trying to make him lose my trail, I speed up toward the window wall. He beats me to it. The only other way is rushing into the next room, so I do, not taking the time to replace the elevator of this one and throw him with it. I jump, entering the crossway.

I have lost him. He stupidly went after me either way; my bounty is higher if I am dead. What soldier acts without a gun -? Oh, I see the bitch now.

A familiar face stands in the way, near the exit of the crossway. Forgot her name, she has those long ass braids she swings around with delayed movements. Fucking cryptid.

That stupid one on one was a ploy for this one. He is probably waiting for my move. I’m not turning back, it’s too on the nose, there’s a trap at the end of both gateways.

She smiles. ‘Stuck in a predicament there, Dove?’ She tilts her head. ‘Where’s the boy-’

My gun is blaring. She jerks from side to side. My shots miss her, my gun attentions me of the low energy it has. Screw me, I forgot to reload it last night.

My last shots reach her directly. She spears through them with her – what weapon is that?

A blade glued to the end of a long chain.

I jump on my board, sliding past her. Again, don’t got the time for this game! I manage to pass her with about two meters before I feel a strong pull and the air welcoming my feet. She’s got good aim. My board explodes into the ground when I undress from my jacket. Within this second, she pulls her weapon, dragging my jacket with it. My wings are out.

Before I hit the ground, I flap them once and hard. I’m elevated, avoiding the hard fall. Instead, I stop myself close to it. My wings stop, letting me land on my feet.

A streak of heat flies the gun out of my hand. Her weapon swings in and out. I duck, the weapon being retracted. There is a piece of the board near me. I pick it up.

I launch it her way. I hear her slicing it in half.

I’m almost there! I’m on the step to leaving this bullshit beh- ’Aaagh!’

A gasp. I’m frozen.

I hit the ground, my vision – my leg, ‘argh!’

Blood leaves me, I can see the puddle slipping through my popped-out veins. The second puddle also comes in my sight, my prosthetic ripped off me.

There’s a laugh. ‘Look what I did!’

A tight cold sits me in place. These – rolled me in their chains.

‘Good job, dear sister.’ The first pets the second’s head.

‘Got him?!’ The third disembodied voice approaches.

My veins are burning and freezing all the same. My whole body’s paralyzed.

“It’s too painful!” I grit my teeth, tryin’ to push myself up.

‘Easy now, we need you to answer us a few questions.’

A piercing sound comes from my fangs and the uneven breath I let through.

I don’t take pride in my murders, nor the thrill of it. I’ll admit, the ‘thrill’ it’s not exactly what it means when I use it. This sensation I cannot explain only reminds me of a thrill.

I’m done playing this game, my jaw’s bones cracking.

Sorry, kid. I tried avoiding it.

It’s either them or us.

‘What is it, little dove? Too pained to spe-’