Dust in the Wind

Chapter 5

A Heartfelt Talk

Cohen had come over to visit them, leading him to talk shop in the garage with Aqil. Eventually, Cohen headed inside to find Ezra lying on the couch, listening to some music. Cohen's eyes wandered over the large baby bump.

"I'm glad I'm not the one responsible for a kid in this world." He spoke as he sat down in one of the armchairs.

"It won't be easy." Ezra struggled to sit up. "I'm...nervous about it all." She admitted to him, not usually one to talk about her feelings.

"I would be too if I was you." He spoke softly. "But you and Aqil'll figure it out. I'm sure of that. You two are strong."

"Is that why you picked me out so long ago?"

"One of them." He nodded.

"Cohen, I've never really properly thanked you for getting us out of the quarantine zone. I'm pretty sure you saved our lives."

"I owed it to you after all you did for me, kid." Cohen chuckled quietly. "Aqil, on the other hand..." He trailed off with a smile. "I only brought him 'cause you asked so nicely."

"He's grown on you, though; you can admit it."

"He has, he has." He smiled a toothy smile.

"I just wish Aqil's dad would've gone with us." Ezra shook her head regretfully. "He was so stubborn. I know Aqil won't talk about it, but...I can't help but think he died there."

Cohen took a deep breath. "No idea what happened to him, but there's a good chance." He nodded slowly. "Sorry, kid. I know they were the closest thing you had to parents."

"Just wish they were here to celebrate the baby. Even if they were yelling at Aqil and me for not getting married."

Cohen smiled slightly. "They would be happy for you two, I'm sure." He stood up and squeezed her shoulder gently.

----

The Man in Charge

Ezra was dragged into the room and roughly sat on the chair. In front of her sat the head of the quarantine zone, the closest thing they had to a leader: Jason Cadwell.

"You were caught smuggling, Ms. Amar. Things from outside the wall. Tell me how you acquired these items."

"Ways." She shrugged, not looking him in the eyes.

"Things will go a lot quicker if you're honest, Ms. Amar." He spread her file out over her desk. "No parents to come rescue you; perhaps that's why you got yourself into this kind of trouble."

"Leave my parents out of this." She glared up at him darkly.

"A sensitive topic?" He cocked an eyebrow up.

"None. Of. Your. Business. Just let me leave." Ezra crossed her arms over her chest.

"I can't just let you leave without repercussions or you will continue to act out." He stood up from his chair and walked around the desk. "I will be telling your guardian to keep a better eye on you from here out."

She rolled eyes, knowing full well Karim was too busy to keep an eye on her.

"Not enough of a punishment, I can make it worse, Ms. Amar." He leaned against the desk, towering over her.

"Bite me." She growled up at him.

"Quite the little rebel you are." Cadwell laughed, shaking his head. "Fine, if you are going to be difficult we will do things a different way. Guards!" The door opened and the guards that had brought her in returned. "Take her to processing. Have her spend the night in a cell to see how she likes it."