Subject 15

CHAPTER 7 - Seth

We took turns eating, sharing the single spoon and passing the can back and forth. In between bites, I learned that Raven was 21, and had been living in the Old faction for three years after a rich family bought the building she was living in and evicted her. She had been living there ever since her mother died and left it to her. "It was the only thing I had to remember her by," said Raven, almost evenly as she took a spoonful of beans.

She said that the rough life didn't bother her, but what did is that she had to stop school in order to save what little money she had.

"I mean," said Raven as she passed the can, "I was this close to being done." She held a finger and a thumb just barely apart as she finished, "That degree was going to change my life – I would have been able to become an adjunct professor, and it was only a staircase going up from there."

I nodded, and asked after swallowing, "There's no plan B? No way to finish?"

Raven shrugged, and replied, "Not really. I've applied for a scholarship, but the chances are about a billion to one – most of the time, the scholarships go to the kids whose parents tipped off the school." Raven took the can and another spoonful before continuing. "Plus, even if I do get it, I might as well throw it in the trash, looking and smelling the way I do. You know the only clean running water is at the Aquarium, and that placed is stuffed with bad company."

I nodded again, and said, "That's true, but I haven't been completely idle while I lived here." I pointed to the roof and said, "Rain collectors. I have a huge tub on the top floor I boil all of the water in. It's not a lot, but enough for an occasional shower. Plus, I find some good water bottles in my rare visits to the stores." I shrugged and finished, "A bar of soap is all we really need, with a change of clothes, and then we're good."

I turned to look at Raven, who was staring intently at me. I shifted from side to side and asked, "What?"

Raven shook her head, as if regaining her thoughts, and replied with a small smile, "Nothing. I like your optimism, but you have no idea what a woman needs, do you?"

I shook my head and admitted, "You're right about that... but there was something else, wasn't there?"

Raven shrugged and said without looking at me, "I like the sound of us."

I pressed my lips together and nodded, saying after a pause, "It'll be better than trying to stick it alone, that's for sure." Raven nodded at that, but didn't say anything. After we finished the beans, Raven tossed the can to the far side of the cubicle farm and said, "Best we get some rest while we can. I'll put out the fire." I nodded and started to situate myself. I had a single pillow and a blanket, both rare commodities in the Old Faction, and I gently laid myself down on the carpet, not trusting my healed wound.

"You gonna save room for me?" I opened my eyes and looked at Raven, who was holding a blanket of her own and had a hint of a smirk on her face. "It's going to be a cold night," she said, "and with the fire out, all we have is each other."

I took in a breath, thinking before saying, "I trust that you won't slit my throat in my sleep?"

"I doubt it would faze you," said Raven, grinning in the dim light. I narrowed my eyes and she held up a hand, saying, "Sorry! It was just a joke; I swear I won't kill you in your sleep. Can I go to sleep now?"

I sighed and moved to press my side against the wall, offering Raven the pillow I had. Raven gratefully took it, saying, "I can't remember the last time I had one of these." She put her blanket over mine, then crawled under both, giving a small sigh of contentment. She opened her large, dark eyes and said, almost softly, "Good night Seth."