Farryn

Chapter 5- Part 4

When she was ready, Farryn grabbed Luli's hand, and they began the trek to Isev.

The sun bore down on them, but the closer they got the colder Farryn felt. It was strange. She had never been able to imagine Isev as a place for anything other than... burning bodies. She knew she'd gone there on vacation once, before Sireglow. They'd gone to a vineyard and she'd gotten stung by a bee. Or was that Liviana? Someone had gotten stung.

It wasn't a very long walk, but it felt like forever. When they finally saw the gates in the distance, she forced down a swallow and stopped, taking a moment to stare at them.

The gates and tall brick walls had been built during the outbreak, to make sure no one who wasn't meant to leave left. Nowadays, Isev was a residential town. Sireglow had finally been defeated by a doctor from the West, one who'd married the Queen's own daughter. Farryn didn't think much of him. He saved many lives, just not soon enough. Too little, too late.

There were posters pasted on the walls, promoting tours through the "Quarantine City" Luli pulled her hand from Farryn's, complaining it was sticky and gross. It probably is Farryn thought to herself. Saints, I'm going to sweat through this dress.

They finally approached the gates, which were unguarded. As the pair stepped into the city, Farryn held her breath. It looked completely normal, like any of the other towns and cities she'd been through, but she couldn't help but wonder how much of the grass had been fertilised by people's ashes.

As she and Luli began to navigate the streets- wide, with low houses bordering them- she noticed a troupe of men and women, all richly attired. They were all casually strolling after a liveried man, who gestured towards the hill in the distance.

Tourists she thought to herself, fighting a wave of nausea. "This way, Luli." She steered Luli away from them. I need to find her transport to Sernaxa and get out of here.

They searched for travelling carts for a while, with no success. Every time the wind shifted Farryn felt the hairs on her arms rise. What am I scared of? That a Peeler would grab her, see her dried-out Sireglow spots? Demand she burn now since she didn't burn then? Luli noticed how antsy she was and kept mostly silent, but Farryn could see she was beginning to grow bored.

"Come on," Farryn said to her. "Let's go in and... ask for directions." They entered the first store they spotted, a simple bakery that smelled of warm bread and clean flour.

There was a woman behind the counter, wrapping up two loaves of bread for a girl who was chattering relentlessly. Farryn approached them with Luli, and waited for them to be done.

"So, Mama? Will you come visit me?" She lifted her head and glanced at the girl standing beside her.

"Ada?" 

Ada's face brightened. "I'd swear on the Sun that you're following me, Felicia!" 

The woman swatted at her. "Don't speak like that." She grabbed the package from the woman, still grinning.

"I'm just-" 

"Do you have leave too? I have a whole week off."

"No..." Farryn faltered. "I left. I'm not working for the Trisons anymore."

"Oh..." Ada frowned. "That's unfortunate." A grin almost immediately brightened her face again, though. "Would you like a tour? I'm visiting my family for the week." 

The woman behind the counter grunted in annoyance and Ada turned to her. "You know you missed me, Mama." 

"Well, I'm not missing you anymore," She sniped, but she could hardly hide the smile playing over her lips.