Walking Dollar Bills

Chapter 45 (2/2): Death to Dictators (1/3)

On the second level, Zala views the fight with worried eyes and concern circulating throughout her body. She clings to the railing so hard that her hands are drained of color. Even though her friends are far away, she feels their pain close.

"Be careful," whispers Zala.

Her scrawny body mocks her as she watches the battle. Seeing Gumbo soar through the skies and Earl use the elements to his advantage reminds her of what little she contributes. Guilt spreads across her body like a virus.

She wonders if she will be to blame if her friends die? There has to be something she can do to help. Her distance from the fight feels like an indictment on their friendship. What person watches their friends struggle? What person refuses to offer a helping-hand to the most helpful hands?

Then, another matter worries her.

Her body drops in temperature, her head involuntarily tilts backwards, and the muscles in her limbs turn into straws. She is having a spell. She needs a fix of the queen's nectar.

With heightened carefulness, she backs away from the railing and peels her messenger bag off of her shoulders. Her fingers press against the bag's zipper as she realizes how long Granny's artificial nectar has lasted her. Young Hornets need a fix every 24 to 36 hours and older Hornets can survive up to 72 hours.

The first time she took the artificial nectar, she lasted 48 hours before needing her next fix. Interestingly, she lasted 72 hours after taking the nectar after Toure kidnapped her. Since that moment of freeing herself from the tree, her body has not demanded the nectar.

Zala digs inside of her bag and feels for the cold glass vial containing Granny's gift. Her realization of the unnatural gaps between fixes causes her heart to flutter. She has lasted weeks without the nectar. Was it possible that the artificial nectar increased her resistance with each dosage? Was her biological dependence on the queen's nectar waning?

She begins to accept the reality that she is not weak.

Amara took responsibility for managing Zala's doses when their journey began. Since the episode in the cave, however, Zala has separated from Amara for a considerable amount of time. It becomes apparent to her that she has learned to ride through life without Amara serving as her training wheels.

She pulls off the cork and downs the vial in one gulp. The sweet artificial nectar wets her throat and whets her desire to assist her friends. Her body regains its strength and the clarity of her mind sharpens.

"Granny," whispers Zala, "You told me that Hornets aren't free because we are too dependent on the Queen for survival. And, I responded by saying that we're free because we stick together."

She stands tall and peers over the rail at the madness below, "Now, I'm starting to believe that this dependency on the Queen actually stops us from sticking together. Without your medicine, I wouldn't be in the position I'm in now to help my friends... I think—"

"—Zala! Thank goodness you're still here!" shouts Horatio sprinting towards her.

Looking past him, Zala notices Byrd and Twister hoping after him. Her eyes shine approvingly of this moment. Friends need to stick together.

Horatio slaps his palms on his knees and sucks in as much air as his stomach permits.

"You came to help!" asks Zala.

"Yea," starts Horatio, "But not with the fight."

He catches a glimpse of the prototype below and shutters. His eyes bounce around in desperate search of the Dictator. Finally, he sees his signature bald spot.