Unmarked

33. Unwanted Blast From The Past

Why did I give Grey the choice? My day has instantly gone from bad to worse. Significantly worse. Standing outside the wide glass entrance to the Pureza Hotel, I wish we'd joined the other group of lunatics who are hunting down people like me. I really wished we'd joined them because I'd rather take my chances with them than be here.

Maybe we're not going in. The instructions stated to wait in front of the hotel so hopefully, this is just another checkpoint on route to our final destination. Yes, I'm sure we'll be taken somewhere else. I breathe slowly, hiding slightly in the shadows.

Grey's hardly spoken since he told me the address on the paper and I nearly bolted. I stopped myself, managing to overcome every single part of my intelligence which screamed 'run and never come back'.

Grey's assessing me again, his eyes searching my face for any indication of what I'm thinking. He won't figure it out, I don't even know what's going on in my head.

I should leave this city and find my mum, but I'm not ready to make the journey. Our last location is too far on foot and I have no money. Even if I go back I can't guarantee she'll be there, she may have already moved to the next location we'd chosen. These are all artificial excuses.

Reality is, I'm not ready to face my mum knowing she left me unmarked deliberately. My whole life I've been on the run, always assuming my lack of Birth Brand was due to my mum hiding from The State, unable to give me one without risking her life. I'd been so wrong, my pathetic excuse of an existence is completely my mum's fault. She left me unmarked purposely.

My eyes are burning and my head hurts. I need to sit down and gather my thoughts. Then maybe, I'll be able to make sense of the utter shit storm surrounding me.

A hunched grey-haired elderly man bumps into me. Clutching my arm to steady himself, he leans forward. "Sorry, my love there's been a delay. Meet at Cafe Sec around the corner tomorrow, midday. Tonight, stay in the hotel. Ask for 'a clean private room with an exposed view for you and your husband'. To the question asked, respond 'yes, of course, we wouldn't have it any other way'."

The old man chuckles, exposing a mouth of missing teeth, he pushes an envelope into my hand, pats my arm then stumbles off calling over his shoulder. "Enjoy your evening, my love."

I groan loudly, grabbing Grey's hand, I pull him towards the hotel. "Looks like we're getting a room until their ready to meet us tomorrow."

Grey resists. "Cady, we can't. They'll ask to see our marriage seal and check both our Birth Brands for identification purposes."

"They would if this was a completely lawful establishment but it isn't," I sigh.

Tugging his hand, I guide him through the large double doors into the main lobby. I'm familiar with the interior: simple and modern. A blend of metal, wood and low hanging exposed light bulbs. Industrial chic I think it's called or as I more aptly describe it 'overpriced features originally meant for a shitty warehouse'.

The hotel has a mix of clientele who stay here. Lots of law-abiding tourists on short breaks as well as illegal locals on hourly breaks, as in pay by the hour entertainment breaks.

"You're cutting off the circulation to my hand again," Grey murmurs in my ear.

I glare at him and he presses his lips together, stifling a laugh. I pace across the foyer towards the front desk still holding Grey in a vice grip. Please let the receptionist be different. Please let the receptionist be different.

"Good Evening. How may I help you?" The receptionist is different. An older man with thinning hair who I've never seen before. Thank you.

"Me and my husband would like a clean private room with an exposed view."