Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,21

Stonewell and wishing I was something I’m not. Ultimately, I looked forward to figuring out who I was outside of my duties as a Walker. Cyler said I would be free in Dormas. The train ride made me realize that I wanted to use my freedom to become something more than the timid Walker that obeyed every command.

Later that evening, a call came through for Cyler that caught my attention. It was about Jules, and the person on the other end of the line seemed acquainted with her.

“Ay, brother. She’s gone for good. It's for the best. I don’t think the poor fool truly realized that we got the better end of the deal. I’m disappointed, too. But it’s what she wanted. Wait till you see who I got in exchange for her.” Cyler looked up to meet my gaze and winked at me. His words made me feel like auctioned cattle, and I frowned. Cyler then told the person on the other line goodbye and hung up.

“What’s with the frown, Ash?” The nickname rolled off his tongue, and the familiarity surprised me.

“I feel like cattle,” I replied.

“Oh, don’t worry. I was just messing with my brother. He has a soft spot for pretty gals, and I’m sure he’ll drop his jaw when I waltz in with you. But I want to be abundantly clear– you aren’t my property.” Cyler got up, grabbed my chin and forced me to look him in the eye.

“If you believe anything I say, believe this. You will have freedom in Dormas. I am not forcing you into my household; I’ll pay you, protect you. All I need in exchange is loyalty and some more of that damn good chocolate cake.”

He threw me what I assumed was his best attempt at a reassuring smile, and I considered his words while he moved back to the plush, velvet chair and took another sip of whiskey. I observed him openly. I found myself trying to wrap my mind around the manipulative nice-guy that was determined to do right by his people.

I found a pencil and paper lying next to him, and after briefly asking his permission to have it, began sketching while the train moved on. Art was always something I had a passion for but lacked the time or supplies to fuel it.

I briefly wondered if I would now have time to do the things I enjoyed. I sketched an abandoned church we passed by on the train. Its shattered windows gleamed with promise, and the door’s paint was peeling. Trash littered the front lawn, and graffiti stained its white, wooden walls. Realistically, it was a run-down chapel left alone to suffer the effects of time. I captured each mark, each testament to its survival despite the lack of care.

Hours passed, and just as I was finishing my morbid sketch, I was startled to find Cyler standing behind me, peering at the picture. “It’s beautiful,” he muttered. The smell of whiskey filled my nose. “What made you want to draw that?”

“It needed someone to remember it. Someone to recognize that despite everything it has been through, it's still beautiful,” I answered.

Cyler nodded at me, and after looking once more, made his way to the oversized couch and laid down. I almost expected the flirty man to provide more commentary, but he took my explanation in serious strides. Soon, snores bounced off the side walls of the train’s cabin. Once he was sound asleep, I made my way around and cleaned up some of the clutter he’d left. I swept the crumbs and washed his glass. I still wasn’t entirely sure what role he wanted me to play, so I just performed the duties I was used to. Until I knew what they expected of me, I would continue to care for Cyler and his household.

Although I felt tired from the travels and from staying up the night before, I couldn’t sleep. The anxiety was overwhelming and it made me want to crawl out of my skin. I casually paced the floor in rhythm to Cyler’s timely snores.

Chapter Nine

I allowed my anxiety to consume me and was lost in thought when a loud bang erupted, followed by screams from one of the other passenger cars. I stumbled over to where Cyler was peacefully sleeping and shook his shoulders in an attempt to wake him up.

Another loud noise erupted. “Cyler, please wake up,” I yelled. His eyes bolted open, and he grabbed my shoulders. He sat up and