On the Horizon

Chapter 7

We continue to glare at each other, even through the Justin Timberlake elevator music.

Finally the doors open and Crossing leads me into what must be his suite.

The questionable thing? There's a furnace with hot coals on a wall next to welding tools.

Crossing takes an iron rod and dips it in the flames, then turns to me. I take a step back. "It's a brand?"

Crossing nods. "I told you kid, you're better off down here. But who am I to deny an Ozone?" he sneers.

I lean my shoulders back, and glare at him. "Where?" I ask.

"You're neck." He says. "Right side."

Seems like a risky place to put a brand, but I'll do whatever it takes.

I lean my head to the left, and he presses the hot iron onto my neck. I grit my teeth, tears of pain beginning to slip down my cheeks. I let out a reluctant whimper as he pulls away.

"You're braver than the rest." He says. "Most of the men I do scream like little girls."

"Thank you-"

"It means you're the perfect pawn." Crossing spits. "Why are you down here?"

"My wing was crushed in NYC." I answer. "My human friend was helping me."

Crossing laughs a deep, loud laugh. "So now you know what it's like to be like us." Crossing says, putting away the iron rod. "Flightless. Grounded. Humiliated."

"How did you lose your wing?" I ask, staring at his half crow wing.

"In battle." He shrugs. "The President said I would be remembered for my sacrifice, everyone would know my name. He said being a Curta was an honor. Lies."

"How?" I ask.

"Have you ever heard of Steve Crossing?" Crossing snaps. "How I lost my wing?"

I shake my head.

He snorts. "Because being a Curta means you're forgotten. No one cares, all they know is you can't fly. You're a disgrace."

"I can tell why." I snap.

Crossing laughs. "You just wait." he sneers. "Wait until you're like me. Grounded."

I turn away, and press the elevator button.

"And tell your human friend to go back to New York, with all the other human scum."

I draw my gun and shoot, the bullet grazing the side of his face. "Nate is twice the man you'll ever be." I snarl, and walk into the elevator.

When I enter the lobby, Nate looks annoyed, but then relieved when he sees me. "How'd it- WHAT IS THAT?"

I gently touch the brand, wincing at the spike of pain. "Apparently they're branding us."

Nate looks shocked. I shrug. "It doesn't hurt that bad."

Nate raises his hand, but pauses, and stops. "We better get going." He says. "Those Windreds are staring you down."

I look where he's looking, and see that he's right.

"How are we supposed to get to West Palm?" I ask.

Nate winces. "I didn't think about that."

"We can jump on a bus." I decide.

"Let's hurry." Nate whispers, and we walk briskly out.

We wait at a bus stop, but I catch the Windreds behind us.

The bus pulls up, and Nate pays him. "Where's your farthest stop?" He asks.