A Game of Colours

Chapter 37: The Generally Suspicious Store

I take a deep breath of fresh air to calm my nerves. For the first time in weeks, I've left the confinement of a small house. My legs feel weak from the fast pace we're walking, and my stabbed stomach protests every movement. Still, I press my lips together into a firm line and urge myself not to complain. If I show weakness, she'll think I can't handle the job and send me back. 

 Though I have changed in many ways, Preston remains teaming with life and appears immune to the passage of time. The business men walk  briskly and with purpose, their pompous wives at their sides donning lacy bonnets and bell shaped skirts. They have smug faces and an aura of dominance of the kind only the higher class can afford as they tow their slaves along carelessly. I make eye contact with one of the younger slaves, who wears only a ripped dress that fits too loosely on her, and offer a small smile to comfort her. Her mistress catches my eye and glares at me icily, tilting her chin up to show superiority. I clench my fists and try to control my anger, but Lewis notices my slip and smacks my hand.

"What are you doing?" she hisses, and I look away grudgingly.

"Comforting her," I sigh.

"Yeah, life's rough. Keep walking."

When we pass the main square, where Jarrah was almost hung and Isaac stabbed, I feel a tight knot in my stomach and the sudden urge to vomit. I walk nervously  with my head down, the memories of seeing death still fresh in my mind. Afraid of being recognized, I steer clear of any police offers but Lewis angrily tilts my chin upwards, a frown plastered on her face.

"You don't need to look like you'll be shot if you make eye contact with anything other than the ground, you know. Confidence is key here. Always look busy and they won't question you. There's no point disguising you if you don't act the part. Geez, how did you escape this far?"

"I always loved your sensitive side," I mutter.

I study Lewis' demeanour, and realize she's right. Her posture is upright and tall, and she looks completely self-aware. She is sure-footed and doesn't hesitate to walk through the smaller alleys. She's always looking straight ahead with a destination in mind, never lingering in one place, though I know she is completely aware of her surroundings. I see why she goes unnoticed. She's completely blended in with her surroundings, so much that you aren't even sure if you saw her once you've looked away and by the time you look back to check, she's already gone. 

After what feels like forever, we finally reach the market. The crowd is respectably large, with the shouts of those bartering and trading in the air from all directions. The smell of manure hangs over the air, with horses, goats, and cows all over the place. Fruits and vegetables lie squashed on the floor, flies buzzing in delight around them. The booths are packed with people carrying baskets and hugging their purses close. 

"Stay close," says Lewis, an instruction I gladly agree to as she steps into a general store.

"Morning, Walt!" she greets cheerfully, a smile plastered on her face where a scowl sat moments before.

"Morning! Haven't seen you in a while."

"Times are rough," she shrugs, "how's the family? Y'all are okay?"

"Johnny's doing swell," he says, "his fever went down and El reckons 'ell be fine."

I stare it her in confusion. Is this what she means by keeping a low profile?

"Glad to hear."

"And what of Alex? He hasn't visited in a while either--I thought you'd both died or something! The riot really gave us a scare," laughs Walt breathlessly.

Lewis winces as if he slapped her, her perfect charade facing a single crack. She quickly recovers; her smile drawn back on in seconds.

"Alex is--is fine as well. He's just got other duties, but he asked me to give his love to the whole family."