Unlike Saberus, Walkers traveled along the streets like it was nothing. I guess in the Zone, people stopped fearing death a long time ago. The threat of a new regime—and the virus—was still the same as it was yesterday. Their existence was temporary, and they’d accepted that long ago.
“Keep walking, we’re almost there,” Jules said while she turned a corner. My eyes locked on Huxley’s hard shoulders until we arrived at a small building about two stories tall. Around us were numerous shacks with sheet metal for roofs, but not this. It was a beacon of brick and mortar standing proudly within the filth.
“We’re...we are...here,” Jacob said. Jules and Tallis entered the home, but Jacob whirled around to stare at me. He slid back on his mindspeak translator.
“I know this is a brothel, and when you first walk in, things will be jarring. Hell, even I’m shocked by some of the shit I’ve seen here. But know it’s been only you, Ash. It’s always been only you. It will always be only you.”
My mouth went soft as I stared at Jacob in wonder. Of everything, he was concerned with making sure I felt comfortable?
“I know,” I said before using the hand that wasn’t holding his to stroke his arm. “Thank you, Jacob.”
When we walked inside, the home looked similar to the Stonewell Manor. In fact, it was so similar that I had to suck in a deep breath to catch my bearings.
To the left of the entry was an all white, finely furnished sitting room. A tray of tea and cookies sat on the center table, and a plump woman with blindingly white teeth lay on the lavish couch. She plopped a grape in her mouth before standing and walking towards us.
First, she gave Jules a generous hug. “You had me scared when you didn’t show up. I’ve had to deal with Tallis’ insufferable moping. He’s been whispering riddles all day. I’ll never understand you two,” the woman scolded.
“We had some trouble. I could have called, but with how much Cavil is tapping communications, I didn’t want to risk it,” Jules replied. She sifted through her dress, lifting the hem until the knife strapped to her thigh was visible. “Thanks for this. You were right, it did come in handy.”
The woman held her hands up and said, “Keep it. I’m sure you’ll need it again before this is all said and done.”
The woman had red, curly hair and thin lips. Her breasts were practically pouring out of her tight, white dress. And when she looked at the twins, her eyes went hot with wild hunger. I briefly wondered if that was how I looked when I drank in their appearance.
“Well, aren’t you two a cool drink of water?” she said while pretending to fan herself. “What damned corner of the empire have you been hiding in, and where is my one-way ticket?”
She held her hand out, and naturally, my antisocial twin, Huxley, didn’t accept it. Luckily, Patrick still had the good sense to be polite and grabbed it gingerly.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Mistress…”
The woman burst out in laughter. Bending over at the waist, her breasts bounced as she shook with humor. It wasn’t until she broke out into a coughing fit that she stood to wipe her eyes and calm down.
“Oh, you’re a funny one. I’m no Mistress, kid. I’m a madam. Which is just those pompous Elites’ way of saying I’m a whore.”
Patrick turned such a bright shade of red that I couldn’t help but giggle. At the sound, Madam B turned her attention towards me.
“You must be the immune Walker that Jules pretends to hate,” Madam B said with a wink, making Jules scowl behind her. “She won’t admit it, but she missed you. If I had to hear one more word about your chocolate cake, I might have gone mad.”
“You have a nice home,” I said while looking around. I couldn’t get over the fact that it seemed so similar to one of the Elite manors.
“My customers like to pretend they aren’t slumming it in the Zone when they visit here. It took a while, but we like to give them the illusion that they are at home. The show starts when they walk through my door,” Madam B explained with a wild grin.
She walked towards me and placed a painted finger under her chin. “Well, let me get a look at you,” she ordered.
I stood still, forcing my posture straight like Mistress Stonewell had