Dorothy

Chapter 8

Ronan smiled down at them as they stared back in dislike. Ronan gave a little chuckle. "Come on then, we'll spend the night here," he gestured to the darkening biodome, then gave a look at Auden on the ground. "We can't go much farther today anyway." With that, he plopped down on the ground, as though he were more than comfortable to sleep on the cement.

"I repeat, what if we don't want you here," Auden said.

"And I repeat, you don't really have much of a choice. I can even be an asset. With me, Dorothy has a far smaller likelihood of being controlled."

"Being controlled by someone else you mean."

"Hey, the point is, not by one of the bad guys."

"Guys!" Dorothy called. They both snapped their heads up. Dorothy was crouched by Rosie, trying to get the android to turn on. She gave Auden a desperate look. "I can't get her on."

Auden stumbled over to where she was and knelt beside her. Ronan followed, but with obvious reluctance. Auden turned Rosie over this way and that, finally finding a little panel in her back. After pulling it open, Dorothy
pushed a little red switch, hoping that it would work. Sure enough, Rosie's fans started whirring, and Ronan backed up hurriedly. Auden turned, seeming to find his cowardice amusing. "It's just an android. Her name's Rosie. She'll have a few words when she comes to."

     Rosie did indeed have a few words, which took up the better part of the evening. As talk of sleep started Dorothy adjusted her shirt around her as best she could to make the hard ground more comfortable. Dorothy felt sleep pulling at her, but when she looked over at Auden and Ronan, neither one seemed particularly keen on the idea.

     Fine. Leave them to be distrustful. She was going to sleep. Ronan was right in one regard. If he was determined to stay with them, there was nothing that they could do about it. And they were no more at his mercy than if they were awake.

     The next morning dawned bright and early. Or at least earlier than what Dorothy and her companions wanted. When light first registered behind Dorothy's eyelids, and she finally pried them open, she saw that they were indeed, all unharmed. It was unclear at exactly what point in the night the guys had given up their suspicions in favor of rest, but they were both still asleep on the ground.

     Dorothy meant to get up quietly- even Rosie looked peaceful- but as she was standing to try and shake off the night's chill her foot caught on a stone, sending a gasp out of her mouth. Auden was awake in an instant. He jerked upwards, eyes immediately going to Ronan. Rosie was up now too. She started rolling toward Dorothy, lifting her prong in a quiet good morning. Ronan was awake now, probably from Auden's movement next to him.
     "Yes. Yes what is it?" He said as more of a moan than anything else. "What time is it?"
     Auden looked at the sky. "Past the time that we should have been up." With that he heaved himself up and walked (somewhat unsteadily) to the food packs from Elwyn.
     After a tense breakfast, the company gathered their sparse belongings and prepared for a long day of walking. Dorothy could tell that Auden still wasn't feeling his best, but it really couldn't be helped just now, so for the sake of his pride she pretended not to notice.
      Ronan was the only one who actually seemed alright. In fact, for much of the day, as Rosie led them down alley after alley, he seemed downright cheery. He was practically stifling a whistle when Rosie stopped abruptly.
     "What is it Rosie? Why have we stopped?" he asked.
      "Maybe you would know if you would pay attention! " she sounded about as exasperated as Dorothy figured an android could.
Dorothy peaked over Ronan's shoulder and gasped. The alley had ended, and in front of them was what appeared to be a marketplace, only exceptionally large.
     "So where do we go now?" Auden voiced their collective question.
     "Well, by my best estimation, it will take an extra four hours to completely skirt it," Rosie answered.
     "Great," Ronan added helpfully. "So what do we do?"
Silence. Auden sighed loud enough that a nearby man turned toward them. Dorothy thought that her heart would stop as he scanned... right over them. Dorothy's eyes moved her companions. She noticed that Ronan was looking right at the man. Eventually the man shrugged and continued his purchases, but a plan had formed in Dorothy's mind.
     "Hey. I have an idea. Ronan can brainwash everybody into thinking that we're not here, or that we're Lunar."
Ronan appeared to be bordering on mortified. "What! I can't do that. Manipulate all those people! It would be hard for a thaumaturge, but me!?"
     Auden was quick to jump on the idea. "I think it's great. How else do you expect us to get through?"
     "It is pretty much the only way," Rosie chimed in.
     Ronan still looked extremely uncomfortable, but Dorothy could see the determination creep into his eyes. "If we die, it's not my fault."
     A small smile crept onto Auden's face. Ronan steeled himself, and stepped out of the alley. He was followed closely by Rosie, then Auden, and Dorothy trailing just a bit.

They made it about three quarters of the way before everything fell apart. Ronan was smiling and nodding to passerby ( a little more than Dorothy thought necessary) and no suspicion fell on the other three. However, three quarters of the way through, they were approached by a man. In a long red coat. Dorothy recognized him and her hand went to her cheek as if of its own accord. Thaumaturge Atticus.
     Ronan, smooth as ever, gave a small bow. "Good day Thaumaturge."
     Atticus gave his icy smile. "Good day. I have a matter of urgency sir. I am looking for some... valuables. Have you seen anything unusual about?"
     "Can't say that I have sir," Ronan's face was growing strained. "I wouldn't know what you mean by valuables."
     "Ahh. Just some criminals that deserve punishment. One is , in fact, a shell. "
     Ronan raised his eyebrows. A nice touch in Dorothy's opinion. "Sorry thaumaturge, can't say that I have. A good day to you." With that, Ronan began walking around the Atticus. A guard immediately stepped in front of him.
     "Wait just a minute. Don't your friends talk? What about you sweetie? Have you seen anything?" If Dorothy hadn't been so scared , she almost would have laughed. Atticus almost sounded like he was flirting with Rosie.
    "I haven't."
     "Ur, sir, we really need to get going," Ronan interrupted. Dorothy thought that she noticed his hair getting a little darker. And his arm taking on an odd silver sheen. That needed to get out. I know what she considered a truly inspired idea, Dorothy took a step and pretended to trip, giving a little cry in the process. She fell right on Ronan's shoulder, forcing him to catch her.
     "Ahh. My ankle. Mhhm. I think it's twisted." Ronan seemed almost panicked, his arm was  turning more silver, funny, but he did play along. He immediately swooped Dorothy up into his arm and gave Atticus an apologetic look.
     "Sorry sir. Come on then Jean, we'd best get you to a bench. I'm sure there's one somewhere." And he turned away. Dorothy wasn't super thrilled with his acting, but oh well. They weren't being pursued. When she looked back, Atticus looked suspicious, but he didn't follow. Rosie and Auden were close behind.
     As they approached the side of the market and ducked into another alley, Dorothy could feel something hard pressing into her leg.
     When Auden caught up he was smiling. "Great job Dorothy! That was a great idea. Did you see how confused he looked?"
     "Yeah. And great job Ronan!" Rosie sounded genuinely impressed. Dorothy smiled as he put her down, until she caught sight of his arm. It was shining in the light.
     "You're a cyborg. "