The Artful (Shadows of the City) (10 page)

“That’s really something, you know? You two come off as a couple of jackasses, but look at all you’ve done. I admire that. But this life, it’s not for me; there has to be something else out there.”

“Well, if there is, we will find it together.”

We smiled at each other and shared a nod, a silent agreement that when all the Smith business was over, we would find out what awaited beyond the quarantine zone.

y sunup, the three of us were headed to Union Square. We walked out in the open, the airship following us like a vulture sure of our imminent death. The journey took half a day. Normally it would have taken a couple of hours, but Dodger was slowing us down. It was like he woke up with a bad flu. He was sluggish and broke into fits of coughing, tired quickly, and complained about his body aching. He still pushed on because he would never dream of being a weak link. So I purposely slowed my pace, making excuses to stop and catch my breath, just to offer him small moments of respite.

It didn’t help matters that we chose to travel during the day. The sun burned our skin, forcing us to cover up in layers, making us uncomfortable and hot. Part of me wanted to stay holed up until it was dark again, but Dodger insisted on going. He was starting to feel the symptoms and, with them, a renewed determination to find Smith and exchange what he had stolen for a cure.

So we marched on. Before long, we heard music in the distance. It seemed to travel through the streets, inviting us to follow like the Pied Piper, and all our spirits were lifted, if only for a moment.
The Tribe.
We picked up our pace and frantically ran uphill past empty buildings and abandoned blocks, following the music to its source. And, just over the horizon, there they were. Union Square was covered in multiple canopies, hastily strung up on trees and poles, creating the look of an old time circus, and, most importantly, a haven from the sun.

I never had the privilege of seeing a circus, but I imagined this is what one would be like. The Tribe was a nomadic group that wandered from place to place, occupying areas where Tower Babies were known to set foot. If not, they made sure to set up camps in plain sight. If you were lucky enough to live atop one of the wealthy towers, your view was more than once obstructed by The Tribe.

There was a mixture of sound as we wandered into camp, a constant drone of chit chat, along with laughter, and drums playing out of beat with tuneless melodies. People sat in circles eating fruit and telling stories. Others slumped over on the grass, empty bottles of booze not too far from their hands. Most of the men were heavily bearded, and skinny, their clothes frayed and thin. The women were like wild spirits dancing around, hair decorated with leaves, beads, and feathers. They wore dresses and loose-fitting shirts.

Walking into the camp was almost like walking into another world. These people were able to live in the middle of chaos and still find serene peace and happiness. Most of The Tribe lived off a natural high that accompanied a self-righteous way of life. The others, however, well, they were usually dosed out of their minds.

A shrill voice yelled from beyond the crowd. “Dodge! Twist!” We smiled in anticipation, knowing soon we would see a fiery redhead parting her way through a sea of followers to greet us. Red danced between two people who were lost to a silent tune and, with great skill, managed to grab three full drinks, twirling and laughing as she did. Her pale face was heavily decorated with red freckles, but what always stood out the most about her was her hair. It had a life of its own, always flowing, always dancing with the seducing wind, bright red, like a beacon to all who followed in her tribe.

“I’m so glad to see you boys!” She pushed the cups into our hands. “It’s been forever!” She twirled around, letting her dress flutter inches above the ground, bare feet dancing lightly as if she would float away any second.

“Hey, Red!” we both said, taking long sips of the cold beer. Froth tickled my nose, and the bitter taste tightened my throat. Dodger, on the other hand, had no problem guzzling his down as if it were his sole means of sustenance.

“This is Gia,” I said as Dodger pried my drink from my hands and chugged it down as well.

“Hi,” Gia eyed Red.

“Gia! Nice to meet you! Hold on, let me get you a beer!” Red ran off, quickly lost to sight in a crowd of men attempting to build a human pyramid.

“Is she always so excited?” Gia whispered.

“Yeah, it takes some getting used to,” I said.

“I heard all kinds of stories about her though. She doesn’t seem like the type to topple governments and lead rebellions. I could see her leading a bunch of children to the petting zoo, but rebels?”

“Don’t let her fool you.” Dodger wiped his mouth clean and stared at his empty cup like a friend betrayed. “She’s ruthless. Cunning. Wouldn’t think twice about slitting someone’s throat or stabbing someone in the back. She’s a sweetheart as long as you’re on her good side. But, God help you, if she doesn’t like you. She’d rally all these idiots up into stoning you to death. She’s a heavy proponent of the ‘you’re either with me or wrong’ way of thinking. Plus, did you see the butt on her?”

Red returned and walked us through the bizarre ensemble of her followers. Gia and I trailed behind, drawn in by the fire swallowers and younger kids doing dangerous skateboard tricks. They mostly rolled around on the ground, clutching bruised knees as their boards leisurely rolled away from them. Music played and people laughed, a strange comforting feeling―all this filth and yet they managed to create a quaint beauty with what they had. Gia mustered a smile, more than once even. Red led us into a small tent filled with a couple of sleeping bags and an electric lantern, next to which she sat cross-legged. We followed suit, sitting around the blue glow like campers ready to tell a tale.

Dodger asked, “How you been, Red? I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Good!” She took a hearty sip of her newly acquired mug. “Been hanging in there, sticking it to the Tower Babies! You know how we do.” She bellowed a great laugh. “Just trying to figure out our next big move, you know?”

“Always are, huh?” I said.

“You know it!” To Gia, Red added, “We can’t stand the way things are. I’ve made it my life’s goal to make a difference. Most generations have a cause, and this is ours. The big movement that will change the way the world runs.”

“So you think a roaming carnival is the way to go?” Gia asked.

“Why not?” said Red. “We have to show those uptowners that we are here and we aren’t going anywhere!”

Gia crossed her arms. “I don’t think they ever expected you to go anywhere. They are more than content having you where you are.”

“Leeching off of us.” Red held Gia’s unwavering gaze. “The only reason they are where they are is because of us, and we won’t stand for it anymore!”

“So…”

“So we have plans,” Red waved her arms about wildly. “Don’t get it twisted. It’s easier to play nice and stab someone in the back than shoot them in the face.”

“I don’t know. Shooting someone in the face seems pretty efficient.” Gia smiled condescendingly at Red, who returned the favor.

They held their friendly faces long enough to make the air between them thick with the electricity of dislike. I looked over at Dodge, urging him to step in. He stared in delight, no doubt hoping this would turn into a wrestling match. I urged him on with an annoyed nod.

“So—” Dodger broke off into a fit of coughing.

“I know why you are here, Dodge, and it won’t come cheap,” Red told him.

“What? Can’t a guy visit his old friend?” he said.

“Sure you can, but I’m under the impression that the friend you want to visit is Smith, am I right?” Red laughed once again. “He came through here, and he was in a state. Looked like he had been running on E for days, and not the good kind. People were shadowing him, so we made it easy for him to lose ‘em. He took off not too long after morning.”

“Where’d he say he was going?” I asked.

“Headed off to see some people, see if he can crash for a while,” Red was trying to hold something back.

“Did he say who specifically?” I asked.

“Yeah, of course he did, him and I been shacking up.” She smiled, mischievous red lips that hid the venomous bite of a snake.

Dodger sighed. “And you’ll tell us… if?”

“One favor, that’s all I ask.”

“I told you before, if you want me to sleep with you,” Dodger ran his hand down her arm. “You just have to ask, not even politely, really. Hell, you don’t even have to ask, just hike up your―”

“Oh god, do you ever shut up?” Gia threw Dodger a dirty scowl. However, the look she gave Red could put stone cold killers to shame. She marched off. “I’m going to check the place out. Call me when something interesting happens.”

“Oh, someone is jealous.” Red gave Dodger a smile.

“Jealous of what?” I asked. “Do you think she likes Dodge?”

“Hold on a second, you were talking about needing me to sleep with you for information?” Dodger never gave up.

“No, but this is more important, trust me,” Red said.

Minutes later, we were ushered into a new tent. This one was bigger and held a handful of cots, each with a prone body lying deathly still. The air was moist with heat and smelled thick of sweat. A woman whose face reflected her exhaustion shuffled back and forth, dabbing a wet washcloth at each patient’s forehead. I tried not to think that most of them would perish here. The mood was a thick contrast to the rest of the area. Here there was no laughing or merriment, just death, awaiting its next recruit.

“What are we doing here?” I asked, hoping Dodger knew to keep his wit to himself.

“Before we start making deals, I want to show you someone,” Red replied.

“I was hoping she’d show us her…” Dodger held two imaginary handfuls over his chest, as we followed her to the farthest bed from the entrance.

Next to an oscillating fan that blew more hot air then cold, a little girl sat on the cot playing with a doll. She looked up at Red and smiled. Her skin was pale and pasty. She looked about eight and very sickly. Red hair clung to her forehead, and I knew.

“This is Kat,” Red gave the girl a kiss on the cheek.

“Crap,” I said, at the sight of her daughter.