The Cure

XIII

My first instinct is to snap at his fingers on my arm, as no one, besides Griffin, has ever touched me.

I don't do this, however much as I want to, but cast him a quick glance up and down instead.

He's wearing a uniform that's bright green - a dye no one here has access to - Dictator Region's color.

I don't speak, but wait for him first instead. He doesn't make a move. I wonder if he thinks I've done something wrong. Well, I mean, I have, technically, but that's not what I'm talking about.

"Can I help you?" This seems like something pointless to ask, as he's the one who stopped me but nonetheless he's the one saying it.

I still don't speak but I continue to stare him up and down when finally I say, to my surprise, "You're not from around here, are you?"

"I'm imported."

I find this mildly amusing, his reference to himself seems almost inhuman, but I know what he means.

"What are you hear from the dictators region for?" I'm hoping to sound annoying and slightly supercilious with these question in hopes that he'll let me go, but I am mildly curious.

Okay, really curious.

He starts to speak, but stops short and after a moment continues, "Extra officers were needed after your little riot here."

Uh huh, little riot, alright. Still, he doesn't really look like anyone from the dictator's region, except for the outfit...not that I've met anyone from there, just what I've seen on television.

Everyone from that region, well, they're fat - I don't know why - but this guy he's...well, slender, but not skinny like us here in Ash.

Then I'm really looking at him and I notice his skin is darker than any I've ever seen anywhere.

It seems kissed by a sun I barely remember seeing once, long ago. Not dark as the traders who come from the continents across the sea, but bronzed to the point of a god.

Whoa, waaay too much staring, Adler.

"So, can I go now?" I hesitate because I kind of still want to look at him. He seems so strange and foreign like there's more to him than first meets the eye.

I snort to myself. Boy that was so cliché.

"Oh...uh, of course." He finally drops my arm and I rub it uncomfortably. "But, I was wondering...how'd you get so much dirt on you?"

This is definitely the last thing I expect him to ask and I know it shows on my face.

I realize I haven't washed my clothes from the break in four days ago and curse my stupidity for not burning them, more so wearing them! I quickly swallow any noises that are bubbling up in my throat and try to answer. Last minute lies are so not my forte.

"Uh...I was riding my horse, and fell off over a jump. If you can't tell this place is pretty dirty.
Dirt is somewhat inevitable." I try to sound condescending, but I think it still pretty much sounds like a blatant lie.

I watch him slowly smile and silently laugh. I didn't mean for it to be funny and it's having the opposite effect I wanted.

He finally looks back at me and I'm stricken by how young he looks.

Even I know you have to be at least twenty-three for a job in the Guards, but I guess he just looks young.

Putting out his hand he says, "My name's w - Reese. Reese Ivan."

"And I have to go," I say to myself. Becoming intimate with someone in the Dictator's Region, especially the Guards, is not a splendid idea. Your life is public, poof! just like that.