Ruin - By N.M. Martinez Page 0,43

The words trail off. I can't say them, but the thought is there. Brandon knows who I mean. He shrugs and gives me only a tiny bit of food. I probably look as sick as I feel.

“I'll take you if I have to.”

I thank him, but I have a feeling that he won't have a choice. Not if Jimmy is involved.

The day passes in a blur. Henri isn't just the leader here, which is more than enough, but he's also a revered figure of the Revolution and the one credited with building the Southlands which isn't much more than an army in training. It makes sense why even the Neutrals fear him.

At dinner, I can't focus. My stomach is practically vibrating with unease. Brandon tries to encourage me to eat something, but it's too much of a risk for me to take. I keep a hand on my stomach and hold still, trying to fight the pain and the creeping feeling of doom.

Brandon doesn't bother forcing me to eat. He stands up from his chair with controlled precision. "All right. I'll take you.”

I stand up too quickly, awkwardly, not at all as carefully controlled as he stood, and I have to put a hand on the table. My duffel bag sits close by, and I regain my balance, and push off the table to step over and grab it, but just before my hand has even reached the bag, there's a knock at the door.

I stop in front of the bag, mid-movement, and rise to look at the door. Brandon is closest. He takes a deep breath and releases it slowly as he goes to open the door. Not a word passes his lips before the visitor steps into the apartment, his light, icy eyes falling on me and sending a shiver down my spine that makes me jump.

“Time to go." Jimmy slides his arms together across his chest in a smooth careful movement that makes him look even wider and sturdier.

Brandon doesn't move. "I'm going to take her.”

Jimmy turns slowly towards his brother. He doesn't threaten but it is clear that there is one. “Henri gave me the order."

Brandon shakes his head, his mouth a straight line. “You don't take orders. Not even from Henri. You never have. And Henri would never give you an order anyway."

"He did this time."

My muscles ache just watching the two of them. I'm frozen in place, not sure what to do. Jimmy stands only feet away, his shoulders aimed towards me but his gaze on Brandon as if daring him to interfere.

"I'll go." The words flee from my mouth into the tense quiet between the three of us.

Brandon looks at me with that look of his that speaks of responsibility. He has taken care of me the past week while I've learned how to deal with the hurt and pain of being abandoned by my own people. We've bonded, and I don't want to go, but I couldn't bear to see him hurt. It feels as if this is one of those moments where he could be. Jimmy and Henri don't feel like the sort of people who care about sentimentality. They do what they need to do when it has to be done and expect everyone else around them to do the same.

Brandon starts to say my name, but I cut him off. "I'll go."

"C'mon." Jimmy motions with his hand for me to step between them.

I do it very quickly and without glancing up at either of them. Once I'm out, I stop and wait, expecting Jimmy to lead the way. The door to the apartment shuts quietly behind me. Then his hand with its rough fingers falls onto the back of my neck and gently pushes me forward. I gasp, surprised at his touch, terrified to be under that hand after I've seen what it's capable of. Perhaps this is the night where I just disappear.

I don't dare shake his hand off any more than I dare to look back at him. I swallow roughly and forge ahead into the dimming light.

~Intermission~

Intermission One

"There once were two brothers, and they fought each other viciously."

The boy looked up at Mary with his wide blue eyes and his lips pressed tightly together. Other than his small hand picking at the rough hem of his pants, he sat very still.

She cleared her throat and continued. "It was such vicious fighting that people became involved. They had to take one side or the other. There was