realize you are nothing more than dirt beneath their feet, the sooner you’ll lose any qualms about what you’re willing to do for a better life." She straightened her spine then pulled a small brass Walker ear tag from her pocket.
My heart sank when I realized what would happen next. The fetter was painful, but the tag cut to the bone. It symbolized everything I let go of when moving to Dormas.
“See how they react when seeing you tomorrow. I think it’ll help you figure out what exactly your role is here. I’ve seen many Walkers. The ones that survive are the ones that accept what they are.”
I wanted to run. To scream. However, my feet remained firmly planted as I accepted my fate. I had to play the part if I wanted to survive .
"Luckily, your ear is already pierced." She approached me with gentleness before cradling my head in her hand. She tenderly brushed my hair away from my neck and looped the brass hoop through my ear before clamping it shut. There was no real reason for the tag, not really. My fetter was keeping me here. The only purpose it served was to show the rest of the world that I was a reject of high society.
This was purely personal. A ploy to dehumanize me.
"I'll see you in the morning. Your uniform is in the closet." Dominique straightened and slipped back into her fierce, orderly expression. I wondered how she so easily controlled herself. Did she see the injustice, or did she choose to ignore it?
There was a time that I was the same, though. No longer would I be thankful for the scraps. I might’ve been wearing the tag that labeled me a Walker, but I knew the truth. I was a Dormas woman through and through.
The next morning, a shrill, blaring alarm made me shoot up from my bed with a jolt. I never truly fell asleep. After Dominique left last night, I took a cold shower and lay in bed, tossing and turning restlessly. Even now, it felt daunting to list the worries that piled upon me. I got ready in a numb haze and wondered if the men I loved were here somewhere. Were they safe? Did they try to find me?
I got dressed in the Ethros Walker uniform—a knee-length, crisp, teal dress made of a thick material that clung to my frame. It was itchy and somewhat revealing. A light knock on the door startled me, and assuming it was Dominique, I opened it.
But instead, a bruised and battered Patrick barreled through the door, enveloping me in a hug and clutching me tightly to his chest.
“You’re okay, oh, fuck I couldn’t think straight without you.”
Although surprised to see him, I sunk into the depths of his hug and clung to the security I felt when we touched. After a while, we broke apart, and his hands trailed my cheeks as he looked at me. I felt cold, wet tears leaving a trail of relief down my skin.
“I escaped for a moment. Cyler has Cavil distracted, but I can’t stay long. What happened?” Patrick asked. I bit my tongue for a moment, desperate to ask what happened to him. His lip was cracked and bloody, his eyes red. Bruises trailed up and down his arms, and I felt him tense when I held onto his middle.
“I’m sure you know, Cavil wants Maverick to find the cure. I’m still on the Walker registry. His soldiers claimed me,” I choked out, and Patrick’s expression slipped. It looked like my tears punched him in the gut. “Is everyone okay? I heard you had to go to a healing pod,” I asked in a shaky voice.
“Everyone is fine. Tallis and Mia escaped while we were there. They’re going to get help,” Patrick explained. He seemed unconcerned and wholly focused on me. “We’re going to make this right. I promise. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe and happy, Ash.”
“Is Josiah okay?” I asked, unable to help myself.
“He was lethargic, but better. Cavil locked him in the Ethros prison, though. He wants information.”
At least he was alive.
I nodded as Patrick spoke while frantically clutching his shirt. “I have to go. Follow Cyler’s lead. I’ll talk to him.” Patrick turned to leave, taking my heart with him, when I clutched his wrist. Maybe it was the adrenaline or the fear, but I couldn’t go another moment without kissing Patrick.
I made sure to be gentle, as to