Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,368

readjusted the various books and papers on his bed. My eyes took in the crinkled pages of juvenile writing, while trying not to critique what poor spelling I saw. Tallis excused himself without saying goodbye, leaving us alone in the smelly, cramped tent. Typical man. Leaving once emotions got involved.

“I…I can’t do anything I used to,” Gordon whispered.

“Well, isn’t that what this leg is for?” I gestured to the prosthetic on the floor. This seemed like such an easy solution. Why was he being so difficult? This was going to help him.

“It’s not the same,” he immediately replied with anger laced throughout his words. “It’s a tease. A small look at who I was before this happened, but not the real thing.”

I waited for a moment while looking around the sad tent. Of course the boy felt like he couldn’t do anything anymore. Staying in here all day was reason enough to drive anyone crazy.

“You don’t get it,” he added while slinking back on the cot. “My Grandfather was an elder. I’ve always dreamed of one day following in his footsteps. Now…I literally can’t.”

I watched him fight the tears that threatened to spill over. A kind person would have averted her gaze and gifted him with privacy, but I wasn’t kind.

“You’re right—you can’t. Don’t be who you were or who you even thought you were supposed to be. Be something better, kid,” I offered with a shrug while wondering why I was helping this Scavenger boy. He wasn't worth the effort.

“What’s better than running, better than fighting?” he asked with such desperation, and I couldn't help it—I laughed, the sound bursting out of me without a care. The loud sounds of my giggles made him lean back in frustrated awe. Didn’t he know? There was so much more to the world than this pathetic Scavenger camp.

“Your brain! Don’t you have a school or something?” Certainly, even Scavengers had the means necessary for obtaining an education.

“Our teacher died last year. She got X on a raid,” Gordon replied without remorse. Even here, death was a common occurrence that didn’t warrant a reaction.

An idea came to me then. They might have banished me to the gardens, but maybe I could get on Cyler and Maverick’s good side if I volunteered at the Scavenger camp. It was a fleeting thought, but it took hold of me. In a flash, I saw a future where I could do as I pleased. If Maverick and Cy thought that I learned my lesson, then I could escape the confines of my punishment. Take my life back; maybe even get a job teaching. Find a decent man of good standing. Move to Galla. Run the world.

Ok, Jules, reign it in.

“It’s your lucky day, Scavenger. I’ll tutor you.”

The words spilled out of me before I could stop them.

I wanted to laugh it off. Say I was joking and leave this tiny tent, but the flicker of hope that flashed over his face made me pause. It was a look I recognized. It was the same joy I felt when my own mother used to teach. Like me, Gordon craved knowledge. But of course, it couldn’t be that easy. He had to pretend to be disinterested. Young boys were so painfully predictable.

“I guess that would be ok,” he said while clearing his throat. “Are you even qualified?”

I looked at him. My pride urged me to talk about my tutoring and travels. But it felt too cruel, even for me, to brag now. Especially when all he’s seen of the word is the deadlands and this sad little tent.

“I guess you’ll find out. I’ll be here tomorrow. Try to work on that winning personality of yours in the meantime. Maybe practice smiling in the mirror so you don’t scare the locals,” I said while walking towards the exit of the tent. As I walked outside I heard him ask,

“What’s a mirror?”

Oh, God. What did I get myself into?

Chapter Three

The sun completely descended by the time I exited Gordon and Nikketa’s tent. Outside, there was a large pot hanging over an open fire. Tallis was leaning over the pot, glancing around to see if anyone was watching. Once he thought no one was looking, he took a sip of the steaming soup, wincing as he swallowed.

“I’m ready to go now,” I interrupted with an air of impatience. The stern leader spun around, coughing as he fumbled to cover up that he had been sneaking some of Nikketa’s dinner. Seeing him flustered