not hurt his lip, but I placed a timid kiss on his lips, tasting blood. He responded eagerly. Patrick’s hands wrapped around my neck as he confidently pressed his thigh between my legs. He deepened the kiss and sucked on my tongue. I trailed my hands down his sides and looped my index fingers through his belt loops, pulling tighter.
A slight burning pain hit my wrist where my fetter sat, and I gasped in pain.
“Oh damn, what the…” I cursed while looking down. Do minique’s bored voice spoke through the intercom in my room. “You’re two minutes late to kitchen duty. Please report now, or your shocks will increase in frequency and severity.”
“Fuck,” Patrick cursed while cradling my hand in his. Another shock coursed through me, and I bent over in pain. When the electricity subsided, I shot up and stared at Patrick. There was still so much to be said, but not enough time to say it, so instead we ran from the dorms, fleeing the pain and the passion before I could get hurt.
Other Walkers wordlessly walked past me on their way to their chores while wearing blank expressions of resignation. A new face was unsurprising to them, and even though I tried to smile in greeting, none returned the gesture. These Walkers were broken down and built up as slaves, and if I weren't careful, I would be, too.
The kitchen was massive. I reported to a tall chef that merely sneered in greeting before asking me to chop vegetables to go into a quiche. The fetter stopped punishing me, but I still experienced phantom pain and anxiety that it would return. The pain was brief, but it was like a flash of intense burning that branded itself to my memory. It was one sensation I didn’t want to feel again.
The Walkers that were servers bustled around me, grabbing gold plates and taking them outside through a free-swinging door. They were efficient and silent.
A tall, slender server Walker entered the kitchen and rolled his eyes. "Our guests would like their Walker to serve them, so I've been dismissed for the day." He gave me a pointed stare before stalking off in angry huffs. The chef raised his eyebrows at me in curiosity.
"You heard him. Get out there!" he ordered while thrusting a platter of grapes and strawberries into my hand. I forced myself not to run as excitement coursed through me. Maybe they were here? I traveled down the bright marble hallway towards the sound of a voice I once worried I would never hear again. Huxley.
"It would be very disagreeable if our Walker were harmed while in your care, Cavil." Huxley's voice was gravelly and tired but still echoed off the walls as I bounded down the hall towards them. He made Cavil’s name sound like a curse. I froze in the entryway to the dining room, drawing everyone's attention. I forced myself to swallow down tears of relief. Huxley, Patrick, Cyler, Jacob, Kemper, Jules, Cavil, and surprisingly, Dominique all sat at the large dining room table.
"See! Your little Walker is safe and sound. I found her suitable accommodations in our Walker quarters," Cavil exclaimed while clapping his hands. I looked at each of them. Light bruises and stoic expressions covered their cheeks, but there was relief in their eyes. I wanted to run to them. I wanted to hug and kiss and sob in each of their arms. But I had a part to play. My eyes flashed to Patrick whose lips were firmly set in a straight line. He seemed angry. My happy-go-lucky twin looked murderous . There was no evidence from our kiss earlier.
"And don't worry, Jules. I'll find your pet Scavenger and his sister," Cavil added. His eyes squinted in mock concern, and I noticed her small fist clench around her fork. She looked beautiful, as usual. Although her posture was submissive and proper, her eyes held defiance. “It's such a shame that he disappeared on our pit stop in Lutheras.” Cavil’s voice was assuming and dark.
Jules lifted her chin defiantly while staring him in the eye. "I'm sure you’ll find Tallis," she replied in a bright tone that was cocky and challenging, “...or he’ll find you.”
“Did you hear?” Cavil asked Dominique. “Riots have started in Galla and Dasos. His people are furious. The Walker Zones are in shambles. If Lackley’s in hiding, he won’t be for long. The second I hear of his location, I’ll bring him to justice!” Cavil pounded his