But I’m done talking. I exit his office and leave the building, taking my bad reputation with me.
*
As is tradition, I volunteer at our rehabilitation center for a few hours. There are twenty Defenders there today, some missing limbs while others are physically fine, but their minds were damaged. I listen quietly to their stories and help with their exercises. When they ask about my latest battle, I change the subject, and they get the hint.
I’m exhausted by the time I leave, eager to unwind at The Den with some shitty beer, but Timothy steps in my way. “Hello, Caden.”
I crouch in front of him. “What’s up?”
“A lot is happening, as I’m sure you know. How are you?”
It should feel strange speaking to a synthetic spider with the consciousness of a dead scientist, but I got used to the ideaduring our long journey back from Kansas. “I’m okay. Waiting for a new squad.”
“Good. Have you seen Finn today?”
I can’t help but feel like I’m being subtly reprimanded. “Not yet.”
“I’m supposed to meet him at Roses, but you should meet him instead.”
I nod and stand up. “On my way.”
“Good. Please be kind to him.”
“I’m always kind to him.”
“No, you’re not.”
*
The fancy restaurant is located in the heart of the park, not far from the memorial statue shaped like a tear to honor those we lost on Skyfall. The names of the victims scroll one after another on a small screen, including the name of my late brother, Ruben.
I stop to watch Finn sitting at a table outside, his head bowed as he’s reading some documents. He was so proud when he learned how to read, using that old Moomins’ book to practice while we were searching for the Semi-Humans’ lab in Kansas. I knew that silly book by heart because of him, but I’ve never minded hearing him practice.
He raises his head and glances around until our eyes meet. If this was a few months ago, he would have been smiling at the sight of me, but he’s not.
I enter the restaurant and step into the back garden, which is surrounded by a white fence. There’s a small fountain close by with real fish. “Mind if I sit?”
Finn arranges the documents in a pile and slips them into his bag. “Sure. Timothy should be here soon.”
“I’m the replacement.”
He frowns. “Oh.”
I sit in front of him. “I’ll try to measure up. What are you reading?”
“Reports of Raiders’ attacks from recent months.”
“Found anything relevant?”
“Yes.” He lowers his voice. “One child who survived a raid claimed that his caravan was attacked by giant lizards. Another woman claimed the same thing a month later, and both attacks were north of here, around the border with Wyoming.”
All of those old names don’t mean much to me, but people like Finn like using them. “Any mention of a human fucker with a tail?”
“Nothing.”
I cross my arms. “Well, it’s good to know I didn’t imagine the lizards at least.”
“Nobody thinks you did.”
