The Blood Racer (The Blood Racer Trilogy Book 1) (21 page)

              He grinned and shook his head at me. “Fancy meeting you in Shiloh,
Blood Racer
,” he joked, sarcastically emphasizing the nickname. “I’d have figured they wouldn’t take too kindly to cocky little teenage girls around here.”
              I punched him playfully in the shoulder as he approached. “Careful!” he scolded. “I’ve got post here!” From behind him, he pulled a large shoulder-strapped bag around to set on the counter top. Lifting the cloth flap, he dug inside and pulled out a thin, rectangular box, one that looked like it had been sealed and shipped dozens of times. Canter quickly took the package and tucked it away behind the counter. In return, he handed Sparks a very small, square box made of metal. Sparks stuffed it into his bag without a word, and the two of them exchanged silent nods.
            “How is everyone?” I asked him. “Zanna and Echo? Mr. Nichols? They’re okay, aren’t they?”
            Sparks slowly turned his head around to me in confusion. “You have been gone a day…they’re fine. Don’t have a conniption.”
            I scowled up at him. “You talk a lot of crap for a mailman.”
            He laughed and then shrugged. “Fine, I’ll just take yours back with me.”
            “My what?” I asked, suddenly intrigued.
              “I’ve got something here for you, too,” he said with a smirk.
              I frowned. “Seriously? For me? What is it? Who knew that I would be here right now, in this shop?”
              Sparks chuckled. “Calm down, you headcase. I was already on my way here, so I asked a few people around the Gap if they wanted to send you anything. That was yesterday afternoon. I also knew that Shiloh was the halfway point, and I had faith that you’d make it here.”
              “She almost didn’t!” Canter piped up merrily. “If not for me, she wouldn’t have!”
              Sparks looked over at him, and then back to me. “You wanna explain that?”
              I rolled my eyes. “Later,” I told him. “I want to know what you brought me!”
              “You know, a little gratitude wouldn’t kill you,” he said, fishing into his bag once more.
              I groaned impatiently. “Thank you, Sparks,” I said robotically. “You are a selfless hero to us all, and I will adore and respect you always.”
              He stroked his reddish-brown goatee. “Hmm…selfless hero. I like that. Well, here’s your package, then.”
              From the bag, he pulled out a large, hemp envelope and handed it to me, giving me a wink. I took it from him, but was still in disbelief as to how I could receive a package in a city that was 2,300 miles away from home. “How did you know I would be in here?” I asked.
              As Canter excused himself to the back of his store, Sparks yawned and leaned against the counter. “Well, I already went by the Villefort warehouse. You weren’t around. I was just gonna leave it with Rigel, but I didn’t even see
him
there. I figured I’d come deliver my post and then swing back by there again before I left. Maybe catch one of you. But we both got lucky that you were in here, I guess.”
              I nodded. “Okay…but how did you know that Shiloh was the halfway point?”
              “Give me some credit, Elana,” Sparks said, feigning insult. “When you’re as well-informed as I am, you hear plenty of things.”
              I glowered at him and tore open the top of the big envelope, wondering what I had received. The package was heavy, so there was something substantial in there, for sure. As I tipped it over, a thick, ancient book slid out onto the marble countertop, followed by two pieces of paper and the brooch that Alice had given me a few days ago. I picked it up and smiled at it. I still had no idea what Helios was, but it felt nice to have it, like it was piece of home I could carry with me.
              Aside from the brooch, there was a drawing from Echo, which depicted a yellowish airship that sort of resembled the
Cloud Kicker
, and a girl standing on top of it, a large smile on her circle face. It was such a sweet thing to see, and I immediately had to blink repeatedly to keep my eyes from filling with tears. I turned to the other paper, which was a letter from Zanna.

Elana,
              I hope you’re doing okay. The whole town knows you’ve entered the race, and they’re all rooting for you. You’ve been gone since this morning, and I’ve already had a bunch of new orders for vegetables. I don’t have a lot, but I’m selling what I can. I hope Rigel isn’t mad, but it looks like I’ll be out of tomatoes for soup. For a couple weeks, anyway.
            Mr. Nichols came by to see us. He made us some pasta! It was really good. He sent you a book, and he says to make sure you read it. He says it’s really old, and has a lot of secrets in it.
              Anyway, good luck. Stay safe. And kick the tires.

                                                                                                                                            Love,

                                                                                                                                                Zanna

P.S. - Sparks is funny. He says I’m just like you, except more fun.

              I chuckled lightly and folded the two papers to put in my pocket with the brooch. “She’s the fun version of me?” I asked, shaking my head at Sparks.
              He grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. “She, uh…she mentioned that, did she?”
              “Mm-hmm.”
              Standing straight, he slung his mail bag back over his shoulder and cleared his throat. “Just saying,” he said, his chocolatey brown eyes sparkling. “It wouldn’t kill you lighten up now and then.”
              With another wink he spun on the heel of his heavy boot and strolled toward the door. “Hey, I’m fun!” I shouted after him. As stupid as it sounded, it was the best defense I could mount for myself.
              Instead of replying, he just snickered and disappeared through the door, leaving the bell clinking behind him. He believed it even less than I did, apparently. With him gone, though, I turned my attention to the book that had come with my package. As I picked it up, I noticed a small note pinned to the cover. It was written in Nichols’ hand, but it was very short.
              “Books are the key,” I read aloud. My brow furrowed as hard as it could, but it didn’t help me understand what that meant. Why did he have to be cryptic and vague, for crying out loud? I wondered if it was actually him writing the absurd clues for the race. I shifted my gaze to the title of the book. The leather cover was cracked and peeling, but I could still make out the words
Ascension: The Future of Mankind.
              I was about to open it and look inside when Dan Canter reemerged from the back of his shop, smile still plastered on his face. “I see you’re acquainted with our…postman,” he said, sounding almost nervous.
              I shrugged. “Yeah, I see him a lot where I work.”
              Canter nodded. “So you know…where he travels?” He peered over the tops of his spectacles at me, as if he
really
wanted to hear my answer. It was a little unnerving to see.
              “Uh, well…he delivers stuff to…different cities,” I said, not sure what he was expecting from me. My answer seemed to satisfy him, though. He nodded and let out a small sigh.
              “That he does,” he said.
              Feeling that the conversation had virtually dried up, I tucked the book under my arm and gave Canter a parting nod. “Well, I should be going. Thank you again for helping me.”
              At my words, his excited smile returned. “You are most welcome!” he said merrily. “Actually, before you go, would you like to pick something to take with you?”
              I looked over at him. “Take with me? Like…some of your work?”
              He nodded. “Yes! It would be a great honor to know that the Blood Racer was flying with something I made. Please, I insist! Pick anything!”
              I felt my eyes narrowing slightly. “Anything? And you’ll just…
give
it to me?” I couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
              “Anything at all, and it’s yours,” Canter said, gesturing to the good around him. “It would be my pleasure. Besides, I have quite a few tokens that are hoping you win. If I can give you something to help, it would be a privilege.”
              Now it made sense. He was making an investment. He gives me a free gift now, and he gets a whole shipload of tokens later. If I were to win, of course. For some reason, I didn’t really enjoy the thought. Then again, it didn’t make much difference. How many others were betting on me? Against me? Win or lose, a great deal of money would change hands because of me. If I lost, at least I could get a free Dan Canter item out of the deal.
              “Sure,” I said, slowly scanning the store around me. Normally, I would never be able to afford products such as these. A set of flasks alone cost more than I made in a month. Whatever I chose, I had to make it worth it. He was offering me one thing to take, and I was going to make it count. Though, really, I didn’t see how much good any of these things could do for me. If I couldn’t figure out the race’s clues, or if I made one wrong move, none of these trinkets could save me.
              After a moment, however, I spotted something that made me reconsider that thought. On the side wall, on a shelf below a beautiful series of custom designed flight gauges, there was a row of perfectly crafted gas masks. The faceplate was smooth, clear glass, and the buckles were a shining brass, which stood out against the leather fittings. The filter canisters were large and cylindrical, and looked like they would hang down against the wearer’s chest. I strode toward them at once, picking one up in my hand.
              “I had a close encounter with the Veil last night,” I confessed. “This would be good to have…in case I got too close again.”
              Canter grinned widely. “An excellent choice, my dear!” he said. “Up to six hours of clean air. It’s yours. Here, take this.”
              From behind the counter, he pulled out a rich, dark leather shoulder bag, one that looked big enough to carry the mask in. He tossed the bag toward me and I caught it, admiring the hand-stitched work on the thing. It was only a bag, but it was beautiful to me. I immediately slipped the gas mask inside, as well as the book from Nichols. To personalize it, I pulled the Helios brooch from my pocket and pinned it to the thick strap of the bag, positioning it so that the symbol sat neatly along my left collarbone. I wasn’t sure, but I would have sworn I saw Canter eyeing it.
              “Thank you so much, Mr. Canter,” I said, feeling my face growing warm. “It’s…very generous of you.”
              Canter gave a small shrug. “Well, just do us both a favor and win this race, Miss Silver.”
              “I’ll do everything I can,” I told him. “Thank you.”
              The two of us exchanged farewells, and I exited the shop, feeling more than a little excited about my new possession. I wanted to slip it over my face as soon as I could, just to try it out. Sadly, I couldn’t…not unless I wanted to seem more freakish and unusual than I already did. At least, with a shiny new bag over my shoulder, I was attracting less scornful glares. Instead, I almost blended in. Fewer people looked directly at me, and the ones that did seemed just plain indifferent. I’d settle for that any day.
              As I wandered the streets of Shiloh in the orange, evening sunlight, I tried my best not to think about anything. I was alone, I wasn’t being bothered, and I wanted to enjoy it. I soaked in the mesmerizing sights of the city, watching the light dance off the high windows and building frames, even watching the townspeople as they went about their daily lives. I didn’t realize it, but my feet knew where I wanted to go. Before I knew it, I was feeling the sensation of plush grass beneath my boots. I was back at the Wall of the Fallen.
              I took my time getting to the wall. Feeling rebellious, as always, I slipped off my boots and socks and strolled slowly through the neatly trimmed grass of the surrounding park. It was cool on my feet, almost damp, and I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the green blades sticking up between my toes. I even liked the fact that I left footprints in it. I was used to seeing footprints in snow. After all, it would often snow for five or six months out of the year back home. In the grass, though, it was much more fun to see.
              After a few minutes, I slowly traipsed my way toward the wall, moving toward the seventh slab of stone. The most recent one. Thankfully, there was no one else in the area. I really hoped that no other contestants would be rushing in here to try and solve the clue. With luck, everyone who
was
going to show up already had.
              In the evening light, I slowly sank down into a sitting position by the seventh panel and looked up to the names, my eyes honing in on the one I had seen earlier: Amelia Silver. It only took me a second to find it again. When I did, I couldn’t help but to reach up and touch it.
              “Hi, mom,” I whispered, feeling a dangerous lump forming in my throat already.
              I rose to my knees and looked a bit higher on the slab, to the victims of the 68
th
race. There, among too many other names, was yet another familiar one: Victor Silver.
              “Dad,” I muttered, placing my hand on the smooth carving of his name. They had both given their lives to try and win a better life for our family. All they wanted was some peace for their loved ones, and a little honor for their bloodline. These letters, these small spaces on this huge wall, this was all they received. After all was said and done, this was all they had to show for their sacrifice.
              As I sat there, I realized this was the closest they would ever have to a grave marker. Most people in Adams were cremated. I had even heard stories of dead bodies being dumped over the side of the docks, or into the simmering magma of the plant. Only the rich were entombed. They were the only ones that could afford such a thing. But here, on this wall, the names of my parents were displayed forever. I guess it
was
sort of an honor, in a way.
              There were all kind of memories that were gnawing at the fringes of my mind, memories of my mother and father, and the days we used to spend together. I didn’t have a wealth of pleasant memories with my father, mainly just the days we spent under the panels of the
Cloud Kicker
. On any normal day, I would stop myself from reliving the memories, from letting myself feel the pangs of loss. The only way I could keep those thoughts from breaking my heart each day was to not think about them at all. Now that I was here, though, as close to the presence of my mother and father that I was going to get, I felt the need to share.
              “So, I entered the race,” I said to them, wiping a solitary tear from my cheek. “I know, I know…it was stupid. Things have…been hard…without you guys.” Try as I might, another tear slid down my face. At once, I cleared my throat and brushed it away. I needed to change the subject. “Mom…Zanna’s been trying to make your garden work. She’s not as good as you, but she really tries. You should see her tomato soup. Rigel buys it all the time. And Echo is getting so big!”
              With the sun slowly sinking into the blazing orange clouds, I sat on the concrete patio that the wall stood upon, recapping all the events of the last three years of my life. I must have talked for over an hour, telling my mom stories about Zanna and Echo and Rigel, and telling my father everything I had done with the
Kicker
, every modification I’d made. After some time, when nothing but the pale blue twilight remained above me, someone else had come to the wall. I didn’t even notice the newcomer until he spoke to me.
              “I thought I’d find you here,” Rigel said. His voice was soft and subdued, and he approached me almost cautiously.
              I turned my head toward him, but didn’t say anything. I was expecting to feel anger at the sight of him. Surprisingly, though, I felt almost relieved to see him, like I was safer, somehow, having him there. I wasn’t exactly pleased with him, especially after how he had acted, but I wasn’t going to turn him away. I let him stroll towards me and crouch down beside where I sat on the concrete. He focused primarily on the Wall of the Fallen, but his gaze flashed towards me for a split second. Even in the dimness, I could see the creases in his forehead.
              There was an awkward silence for a few seconds. He clearly hadn’t thought any further than his opening line. He probably assumed I’d tell him to get lost before he could say anything else. I almost smiled at that thought. Even now, without speaking, and while still aggravated at him, I was feeling the warmth that always seemed to emanate from Rigel. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to stay mad at him. Why fight it?
              “Did you walk on the grass?” I asked him, finally breaking the silence.
              He looked up at me, searching my face as a tiny smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. “I did,” he said. “It was really something. I’ve never felt that before. Is it weird that I had to take off my boots?”
              I chuckled. “Nope. I did it, too.”
              He smiled wider, which was infectious. I couldn’t stop my lips from pulling back into a grin. “Think they’ll notice if I cut out a square and take it?”
              I laughed. “Only you would think of trying to steal grass, Rigel.”
              He nodded and laughed with me. “I was just thinking that my place could use a yard.”
              Here it was. I was back with my best friend again. Had we been back in the Gap, it could have been any other evening, the two of us talking and joking on the docks, or at my house. I still felt a tad slighted from earlier, but I was quickly getting over it. It wasn’t like he left me hanging on that cable, dangling over the Veil, or anything. He had actually saved me from getting stuck on the thing. Even so, I would probably let him apologize a couple more times before I forgave him.
              “So,” he said, exhaling slowly. “Have you been sharing the latest gossip with your folks?”
              I nodded. “Yeah. I figured it couldn’t hurt,” I replied. “You know, there’s probably six generations of my relatives on this wall. Being here - being in this race, just like they were - I think I feel more…connected to them than ever.”
              Rigel smiled softly, ignoring the break in my voice. “Maybe you really are the Blood Racer,” he said.
              I scoffed lightly. “Yeah, maybe.” I took a deep breath and let out as a sigh, staring up at my mother’s name. “I wonder what they would say…seeing me make the same mistake that they made.”