Inhumanity

Chapter 22

I stand there with my arms folded as I wait to for Wilford to emerge from the bath where he's been enjoying a long soak. Alex is trying to avoid my gaze as I fixate on watching her as she works the engine of big Alice "nice stretch of track" I comment. She pauses in her work for a second before continue to adjusts the settings.

I glance to the bathroom door "it's how he thinks" I state. The phyco who dragged me up here this morning jabs a cattle prod in my side, I gasp and clutch my waist "stop talking" she hisses. I roll my eyes "just making observations". Again with the cattle prod, I nurse my side for a moment before crossing my arms once more, it might be better if I just remain silent. Rather not inflect more damage on myself.

Alex stands up and walks over to the shelf behind me to get a map "so this behaviour isn't new to you? He's always been like this?" She inquires. I click my tongue "I can't tell if it's a well practice habit or genetic at this point."Audrey slides past me, she must have just gotten up. Her hair all messy and her dressing robe loosely tied closed. I don't have the strength to try to be polite but I know that any snarky comments will be punished. I turn around to look at a painting. I recognise the art work immediately, Kronos eating his children. I hear the bathroom door open but I remain fixated on the painting, something jumps up on my waist "juniper?" I stroke the soft fur of the affectionate dog "where were you hiding girl? Hmmm" Wilford has also emerged at this point. He clicks his fingers and juniper leaves my side and follows him over. He takes a seat and waves me closer "come on, let's see how you're doing"

I reluctantly move closer "now on this civilised train we greet each other with good morning" he prompts. I purse my lips together, to think he has the cheek to make a backhand comment about snowpeircer not being civilised "good morning, sir" I repeat stiffly. He nods "now I don't quite trust you to work alone today but I thought I could pair you off with one of the others, time to earn your keep just like everyone else". And what exactly is Audrey's job? I keep that comment to myself "what do you say to that" he watches my facial expressions carefully. I bounce on my toes "sounds good..." there's a sharp pain in my side once more "argh come on what was that for?" I yell angrily. The bcru bites in, I fall to the ground in pain from both the physical assault but also the mental pain.

Wilford doesn't take his eyes off me "Sykes why don't you tell her what she did wrong? Correct her" he says casually. I let out a sob as the pain subsides enough for me to sit up "she didn't thank you, work is a privilege on big Alice. The only reason that we live is because of our capability to work" Sykes says. I struggle to stand up "where did you get that from? One of his stupid speeches" the mental attack hits me once more but this time it's unrelenting. Audrey doesn't have the stomach and turns her head and I can tell she's trying desperately to block out my shouts and scream. Alex looks just as disturbed but she remains pinned in her seat, not daring to move. I'm close to blacking out when the pain resides. It's as if it want there to begin with, I lay basking for air uselessly on the carpet. The door opens and Levi hurries in, almost tripping up over his own feet.

He stops when he sees me on the floor obviously still in shock from the pain "Good morning, Levi" Wilford says cheerfully, Levi nods his head "good morning sir" he says nervously. Wilford's indicates for me to stand up, I do so, but my stomach feels fluttery, and I'm on the verge of throwing up. I now my head "thank you for the trust placed in me", he ushers Levi forward, so that he stands next to me "perhaps I should just do a group lesson on respect, what do you think Levi" I push Levi behind me and stand between him and Wilford "no way are you hurting them" I snap defensively. He shrugs "I don't see the harm in a little reminder. After all, they all take after you in some way. Your defiance, it reflects badly on my authority over you lot, " he explains. I shake my head. "Please don't," I trail off uselessly. "It's a trait passed off from her years on snowpeircer," Audrey says smoothly. I glare at her, I'm handling the situation fine on my own without her sticking her oar in. Wilford hums, "I suppose you're right," he agrees. She nods confidently. "Of course I am," she glances at me. "I'm sure a little hard work is just the remedy she needs." I snort, and what kind of work is she doing exactly. But keeping my thought to myself is a skill I've got to relearn unless I want the BCRU turned on full time.