Nada's Escape

64- Crowds.

It only takes a little trip to free Liza, who had pledged her way out of Seven on the same day as Penny. With Amy now in the know everything goes smoothly this time. Still I convince her to slip out the back door with me, avoiding Finley and his predictable need to walk me to my next activity. We vault the fence out back and as my sandals hit the earth I try not to run. Instead I turn to Amy and avoid talking about my problems.

"How are you going with all of this?" I wave my hand in a vague 'everything' gesture.

"Uh..." Amy kicks a pebble as we stroll out onto the path. "The busy roads are getting me down. I just wish we could get going, you know."

I murmur my agreement, "I know." I scope out the marketplace slowly unveiling around the corner. I should probably get us all some more bread. A cluster of chatting Huntsmen turns into line of them, wrapping around the side of the market to the front. I blink in surprise. There's never been any more than one other person around the market since we've been out of Seven.

It's no less than a crowd I see as the rest of the open space is revealed on either side. Huntsmen and women have gathered like blood clots across the intervening dirt and some are sifting with hopeful eyes through a huddle of young boys outside the hospice. It makes me want to run more than normal but I hold it in, trying not to stare at the dark battle gear, metal pieces glinting in the sun. Most are still sporting those carapaces of death, spotted with weapons that make my hackles rise.  I speed Amy and I past them all, back towards the warrior circle. Guess I won't be getting bread today.

"Keep an eye on Finley, my friend, he may still be trying to sell us out to that mob of sharks." Amy lays a weary hand on my shoulder. I can't help but glance back at them. There's no searching looks or alarmed faces but still I'm glad to be past it. It's going to be no fun adjusting to a town full with Huntsmen again.

I glance across at Amy, hair bouncing as she walks and decide to pluck up my courage and tell her the truth about Finley and I. My preparatory breath is hard to take, the emotional equivalent of breathing ice water, but I take it. Here goes nothing...

"I'd actually prefer not to. Keep eyes on Finley that is." I swallow some more of the emotional ice water and continue, "It's been difficult lately."

"Really?" I feel Amy look to me but I'm watching the gravel and red dirt pass beneath out feet. "You two have seemed closer lately. More in synch." That stalls my intentions a moment. Is that really what it looks like from the outside? Maybe my situation's worse than I thought.

"I guess we're on the same page about the plan now." I concede, dragging my feet across the gravel as I postpone telling her the truth. My voice comes out in a tiny whisper. "But Amy... there's still enthralment-type stuff going on when we're alone."

"Shiiit," she draws out the word and then snaps to assessing my face with the focus of a laser beam. I meet her eyes because I understand what's she's looking for; the glazed-eyed, lamb-to-the-slaughter naivety about the Huntsmen in question.

"I think I'm okay. In-between I'm not hazy. Buts there's more that's different about it." My steps are slowing to match my uncertainty, a feeling which I don't hide from her. Amy's focus turns speculative.

"Is enthralling even possible when you're a-" I roll my eyes, poised to interrupt her, "I know, I know. You don't believe you really are. And if anything this proves you're right. Just not in a good way."

Amy pauses and I glance periodically at the contemplative aspect of her profile while I wait, synching my steps exactly to hers. I fiddle with some weird silver buttons on my t-shirt, wondering if I could possibly rip them out without ruining the fabric.

"So what are we gonna do?" she asks finally, twisting a lock of crimpy hair around her finger.

"I don't know," I answer honestly, the way I can't about escape plans, "Focus on leaving the murderers behind?" I'm so glad this area is clear of Huntsmen so I can speak more freely.

"I have a better idea. Go cancel whatever you had planned for the rest of the day and meet me at your tree once I've unglued Macie from whichever bootlicking gig she's volunteered for today." Amy plants her feet and nods to herself decisively.

I let out laugh at her little Macie roast, "Sounds like a plan."

"Don't you dare run into Finley while I'm gone or I'll have to jump you." She warns with a finger waggle that is meant to be serious but starts a ripple of giggles up my chest.

"I'll try," I laugh, meeting her farewell smile as she leaves towards the market.