just make it into the forest then I could make it to Fane, and… I dared not dwell on what might have to happen then.
Suddenly we were out in the square, where the crowd quickly lost its density. I stumbled on, trying to latch onto a group in which to lose ourselves, but each one seemed determined to dissipate too. Our safety was vanishing like smoke in a breeze.
Before I knew it we were alone and exposed, next to Greye’s body once again. I circled, backing away from an unseen threat, keeping you behind me.
‘Ima.’
I spun around. There was Benedikt with his hands folded before him.
I steadied myself, renewing my protective stance, and lunged my face towards him as he approached.
‘I won’t let you,’ I hissed.
He stopped before me.
‘Won’t let me what?’
‘Take him.’
He frowned. Our faces were close now, and our voices low so you would not hear.
‘Why would I want to do that?’
I blinked.
‘Your father said that projects not contributing to the well-being of the planet would be abandoned. I thought…’
‘You thought that meant him. Well, I can assure you that is not that case.’
My grip on you weakened, and you stepped out from behind me. You were clearly a little unsettled by my behaviour, but this faded with the delight of seeing your recent babysitter.
‘Ben!’
Ben?
Benedikt smiled at you, which looked painful.
‘Hello, Reed.’
‘Then what do you want?’ I said.
‘My father sent me.’
He turned his gaze to Greye’s body and ground his jaw.
‘Something bothers you,’ I said.
‘Hm?’ he said, looking up.
‘You seem troubled.’
‘It is nothing. Just… I have been asked to do something I was not expecting to have to do.’
I pushed you behind me again, ready for whatever had to happen next; run or pounce.
‘Why are you so suspicious?’ he said, watching me with a scornful amusement.
‘You have always wanted the project to fail,’ I said.
He inspected his long thumbnail.
‘With respect, you have no idea what I want. Oh, believe me, if it was up to my father then there would be no question of your project’s termination, but it seems that the council have been convinced of its merits in sufficient numbers to warrant its continuation. Besides, what would the opinion of an individual be worth anyway?’ He nodded at the body beside us. ‘Of course, he has lost a great ally in Greye.’
The sight of his colourless face froze me.
‘He told me something once.’
Benedikt’s eyes flicked up.
‘Really? What?’
‘He told me that something had happened to you. Something that had skewed your perspective. Those were his words.’
He tightened.
‘Did he elaborate?’
‘No.’
I noticed his shoulders slacken somewhat. ‘Good, he was quite right not to. And if I were you I would not concern yourself with the affairs of others. Your own are quite complex enough, and your project is about to enter a new phase.’
‘Then I am not to go back to work?’
‘On the contrary. You must.’
‘But he will need care when I am not there.’
‘And he will get it.’
A chill crept through me. My eyes narrowed.
‘And I suppose you think you are the one to give it to him.’
‘No, actually. I will be… otherwise engaged.’
I studied him, trying to decipher his discomfort.
‘What exactly have you been asked to do, Benedikt?’
His mouth twitched, words skirmishing on his lips.
‘It appears I must care for an ertling.’
What I did next was regrettable and, given the circumstances, utterly out of place. But I was so flushed with relief that I honestly could not help myself.
‘Stop laughing,’ he said, outraged. ‘It is not amusing.’
‘I apologise,’ I said, once I had managed to control myself. ‘It is just that the thought of you caring for anything, Benedikt, is, well…’ I trailed off, noticing a glimmer of hurt in his expression. ‘But I am sure it will be good for you.’
‘That is what my father says.’
I stifled more laughter.
‘Ima?’ you said from behind. ‘What are you and Ben talking about?’
I kept my eyes on Benedikt.
‘I believe we are talking about your education,’ I said. ‘You will be going to school soon, Reed. Isn’t that right, Benedikt?’
‘That is correct,’ he said. ‘It will start in six months, once we have rebuilt the settlements.’
‘He will still be with me?’ I said, keeping my voice low as you absorbed this information.
‘Of course. We could not tear him from his mother, could we? You will still care for him when he is not at school, and when he is, you will be at work.’
‘Thank you. Ben.’
‘Don’t.’
With that, he whirled away back to the halls and slammed the door shut, leaving