Ven: Part 2

Ch. 10 Trust falls forward

We slowly walk through the bush, a familiarly harsh sun beats down at us. They walk ahead of me, at some point I trailed behind.

They're all talking.

I don't feel like it.

One of them keeps throwing glances back at me.

His name was Grimes.

No.

Myre.

I dunno, his voice keeps breaking, just how young is he?

He's looking at me now.

I shoot him a look.

He turns forward abruptly, shooting upright like a rod suddenly grew in his spine.

My eyes drift over to Tasma.

Last night, with her in my arms, it was the best I've felt in a long time.

They're all crowded around her, like they want her approval. And for the most part it looks like she gives it to them. Like a real leader.

The young guy pretends to stumble so his shoelace comes undone. I watch as he looks down, steps on his lace, takes a quick step forward, and stumbles.

He drops down to one knee and starts tying it back up.

I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea to be friends with this little group, especially if I'm gonna tag along with them. I walk up behind him and lean down.

"You know you can just say hi, right?" I say.

He jumps a little as he pulls his laces tight.

"You seemed like you wanted to be alone." He says quietly.

When he stands his eyes are level with mine.

I straighten up, he now has to crane his neck back to look at me.

"That's fair," I nod, "this morning was a bit intense, honestly, I felt a little bit embarrassed. Kinda aired some dirty laundry in front of you guys."

"It's okay, we've seen worse," he gives me a weak smile, "we all tried to kill each other before Tasma pulled us together."

"You what?"

"We were all alone, we heard promise of safety and shelter, turns out it was a World Government recruitment drive." He stares straight ahead, not deigning to look around, "By the time we got there they had one spot left open. We were desperate, we fought and tried to kill the others to get the food and shelter. Until she walked out. She told us the truth, there was nothing but serving in the military for scraps, she picked us up, dusted us off, and we've been together ever since."

I frown.

Something about what he said seems off. Something right at the edge of my thoughts.

Why would they let her walk out?

I look at the back of her head, her black hair shining richly in the sunlight.

She saw the founder's face.

"Hmm," I grunt.

"What?" He turns and looks up at me. He has a boyish face, but I suppose given how young he seems that's not saying much. His face is round, with a pointed nose and large eyes so dark they're almost black. His skin is richly tanned from being outside most of the time.

"Why grief the Turncoats then?" I answer.

"Sometimes they aren't on the right side." He shrugs.

"And that means...?" I ask.