Morningside Fall (33 page)

Painter sat balled up at the head of his bed, hunched in the corner with his back against two walls and his chin resting on his knees. He’d been sitting that way since before the sun came up, and even though he knew everyone else was up and about, he couldn’t bring himself to leave his room. Not yet.

His mind felt splintered. Not confused, but tangled, like Painter was holding too many contrary thoughts in his head at once. He’d seen the way Cass had moved. The way she’d carved through the horde of Weir. It had awed him. And horrified him.

On one hand, he’d been… what, grateful? Relieved? Emboldened? Some strange mix of emotions had filled him when Painter had come through the front doors of the building, expecting to see the Weir coming from every side. Instead, they’d been pushed back and, carrying Wick, he and Mouse had had a straight and clear path from the door to Lil’s people.

But as they’d approached, Lil had changed. They all had. And they had taken on some new, terrible form. And then they’d gone among the Weir. That was when he’d seen it all from a new perspective. The Weir had ceased to be merely appalling creatures in his eyes; they’d become something more. A community defending itself from some unholy vengeance that had come upon them without warning.

And somehow they hadn’t seemed so different from anyone else. Only a few months ago, he could’ve been among them. Even now, his sister could be. What if Snow had been there? Would Cass have hesitated to strike her down?

And yet. And yet. No matter what he thought, there seemed to always be some other thought alongside it, swirling, countering. Wren was good. Cass was good. Lil was good.

And yet.

The only thing Painter was certain of was that he didn’t belong. Not here with them. Not in Morningside. Not even among the Weir.

Where was Snow? Where
was
his sister? He missed her more than he’d thought possible. He wished she’d never gotten caught up in whatever game was being played in Morningside. Even when she’d rejected him, at least he’d known she was out there somewhere, alive. There’d still been hope.

There seemed little of that now.

I can’t promise that,
Wren had said.
I’d try, Painter,
he’d said. A far cry from hope. And though Painter didn’t understand what it meant that this Asher had been in control of the Weir somehow, he knew it was something dreadful. Could Asher jump from one Weir to another? Or was it that he could control many at once? Whatever the case, the thought that Snow might be out there as little more than a puppet for Asher’s malevolence…

Maybe he should’ve just buried her after all. He finally realized how desperate it had been, how foolish. It seemed all too likely that now the only outcome would be that he’d never really know what became of her. He made a decision then, in his heart.

Whatever might come, whatever the consequence, he would return to Morningside. Whether Painter had to live inside the wall or beyond it, he would find her. And then he would do whatever it took to help Snow find her way back.

It was midafternoon before Cass found the strength to come out of her room. Lil had brought her food a little after noon, and Mouse had stopped in to check on her. Gamble, too, had visited for a short time. Cass was relieved to know that she’d managed to cling to Gamble’s knife through the battle. Apparently Mouse had had to pry it out of her hand at some point.

Out in the hall, Cass heard Wren’s voice in one of the other rooms and followed its sound to a door that was cracked open.

“…because the bridge cuts off this loop here, see,” a weak voice was saying, “so it’s actually faster. Just not the safest way.”

Cass knocked lightly on the door.

“Yeah, you can come in,” the voice said. Cass nudged the door open and found Wren sitting in a chair next to Wick.

Wick was propped up on some pillows in bed. He hardly looked like himself, his face was so pale, and his eyes were darkly ringed. An IV bag hung on a makeshift apparatus, the line running to his right arm. “Hey, Lady. How you feeling?” Wick said, smiling broadly. He tried to sit up, but she motioned for him not to.

“I’m good, Wick. How are you?”

“Milking it,” he said. But his voice was thin and didn’t have the same smooth timbre it usually did. “I don’t remember the last time I got to stay in bed all day.”

“Hey, baby,” Cass said to Wren.

“Hi, Mom,” he answered. He glanced at her when he said it, but then went to looking at his hands in his lap. It made her feel like she’d interrupted something.

“What’s the prognosis?”

Wick shrugged about halfway and then grimaced. It took a second before he could respond. “Mouse says four or five days, but he worries like a grandma.” He waggled his arm with the IV in it. “Got me all juiced up out of fear of infection. But I figure I’m up and about tomorrow, maybe day after.”

“You just do what Mouse tells you to. He knows what he’s doing.”

“Likes to give that impression, anyway.”

Cass paused a moment, looking at him there. Grieved by his pain, grateful he was alive. “You had me really worried there, Wick. More than grandma worried.”

“Yeah. I’m really sorry about getting poked, Miss Cass. I’m better than that, I promise.”

Wick seemed genuinely upset with himself, and his apology was sincere. Cass shook her head. “Don’t apologize. I’m just sorry it happened.”

“It shouldn’t have.”

His expression went dark when he said it. Remembering. She could almost read his mind, or at least guess at his train of thought. If he hadn’t gotten hurt, no one would’ve had to carry him, and if no one had had to carry him, there would’ve been two more shooters, and if there’d been two more shooters, maybe Cass wouldn’t have gotten overwhelmed… Nothing she said was going to make him feel any better about how things had gone. She decided to change the subject.

“Wren’s not keeping you up, is he?”

“No, not at all. He’s good company. We were just getting the lay of the land, seeing where we are in relation to everything else. Sharp kid. You should keep him.”

“I plan on it,” Cass said, smiling at her son. Wren seemed down, or troubled. “You OK, sweetheart?”

“Fine,” Wick answered. “Thanks, honey.”

Cass gave a Wick a look, and he just smiled back.

“I’m fine,” Wren said. “Just tired.”

“I was going to see if I could find something to eat. You want to come?”

“No thanks.” He still wouldn’t look at her. Which usually meant he was either upset about something, or that he was wishing she’d leave. Cass motioned with her hands at Wick to see if he needed her to have Wren come with her, but Wick waved her off.

“OK,” she said. “Wick, want me to bring you anything?”

“No, ma’am,” he said. “Thank you though.”

“Alright then.” Cass hovered at the door for a moment. “A few more minutes, and then we’ll let Wick rest, OK, baby?”

“OK,” Wren said. There was a brief silence, but then Wren looked over and asked, “Can Lil teach me that thing now?”

It took a second before Cass remembered what he was talking about, and when she did, she didn’t like the thought of it. Seeing her son like that. And Lil had said it was difficult to learn. But there was no doubt they’d be facing the Weir again. Worse. Asher in the Weir.

“If she has time,” Cass said.

Wren’s eyes glinted in either excitement or surprise. Maybe he’d been expecting her to say no. He got to his feet.

“Thanks, Wick. I hope you feel better.” Wren offered his hand. Wick shook it with kind sobriety.

“Thanks for keeping me company, Governor.”

Wren came over and stood next to Cass.

“Open or closed?” she asked.

“You can close it, thanks,” Wick said. “Gonna rack out for a bit.”

Cass chuckled and shook her head. Wick just flashed his grin. She should’ve known better than to think he’d ever ask Wren to leave, no matter how tired Wick was. Cass pulled the door closed, and then she and Wren turned and went down the hall. It was disconcerting how unstable Cass felt on her feet. They walked together in silence.

They found Lil in one of the common rooms on the top floor, talking with Finn and another woman that Cass didn’t recognize. Everyone stood when they saw her.

“Miss Cass,” Finn said. “How’re you feeling?”

“Well enough, Finn. Thanks,” Cass said. “Are we interrupting?”

“No, not at all,” Lil said. “Please, join us.” She introduced Cass to the other woman there with them. “Cass, this is Mei. Mei, Cass.”

They shook hands. Mei was a couple of inches taller than Cass and willow thin. Her hands were surprisingly strong.

“Mei,” Cass said. “You came with Lil to rescue us.”

Mei nodded.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

“What brings you out and about?” Lil asked, as they all took seats.

“Wren had something he wanted to ask you,” Cass answered. Lil looked at him.

“I was wondering if you had time to teach me your trick,” he said. “The broadcasting.”

Lil looked back at Cass for confirmation, and Cass nodded.

“Sure, Wren,” Lil said. “We can try. Here, come sit next to me.” She stood up to grab another chair, but Finn got up and slid his closer to her, and then went and found another for himself. Lil scooted the chair right next to hers and then sat back down and patted it. Wren crawled up into the chair. It was oversized anyway, and seemed even moreso with his small frame in it. Lil angled her body towards him, and Wren mirrored her.

“Now,” she said, “I’ll try to teach you, but you should know that it can be very challenging. Not everyone can do it. So, you have to promise you won’t be upset with yourself if you don’t get it right away.”

“OK,” Wren said. “I promise.”

“OK. Take a deep breath, and try to relax.”

Lil walked Wren through some early steps and explained what Chapel had taught her about boosting her own signal. Wren listened patiently, soaking it all in. As she watched silently, Cass could sense a gradual change between them and could almost imagine the relationship they must have had years ago. Wren seemed more open and comfortable with her than Cass had seen him in days. Weeks, maybe.

After several minutes, Wren gave it his first try. He closed his eyes and scrunched up his face. Cass could tell he was really concentrating. But there was no sign of anything happening.

“Will I be able to tell if I’m doing it?” Wren asked.

“You will. You’ll feel it,” Lil said. “It’s hard to explain, but I think you’ll know.”

Cass almost mentioned that she’d be able to see it, but felt like any comment from her might seem like an intrusion. She remained quiet, as Lil gave Wren some further suggestions. He tried again, with little discernible difference. They worked together for nearly half an hour. Wren became increasingly frustrated, with himself, not with Lil, but Lil picked up on it.

“Why don’t we take a little break,” Lil said. “We can try again later if you like.”

“Can we try one more time?” Wren said. Lil nodded.

“One more.”

Again, Wren closed his eyes, though this time not as tightly. His lips moved slightly, pursing as he focused. Several seconds passed without any noticeable change. And then, there, just at the outer edge of his body, Cass saw it. A thin aura, faint and shimmering.

“There,” Cass said. “You’re doing it!”

Immediately it stopped as Wren opened his eyes.

“Am I?” he asked.

“You were,” she said. “A little bit. I could just see it.”

His shoulders slumped, and he looked dejected. “I was trying really hard.”

Lil put her hand on his shoulder. “That you can do it at all is amazing, Wren. I’ve never seen anyone your age do it before. Not even twice your age. You should feel proud.” She gave his shoulder a little squeeze. “And you promised not to be upset with yourself.”

Wren nodded and sat back in his chair. Lil stood up.

“I should probably make the rounds anyway,” she said. “We’ll try again tomorrow if you like, OK?”

“OK,” Wren said. “Thanks, Lil.” Lil nodded and started towards the door. The others stood as well.

“Guess I’ll go check on Wick,” Finn said. “But maybe next time I’ll try it too, huh?” Finn knocked Wren on the shoulder as he said it, and Wren gave him a little smile in return.

“I could work with you,” Mei said. “If you think it’d help.”

Finn smiled at her. “I’d appreciate it. Whether it helped or not.”

Mei actually blushed a little. If Cass hadn’t known better, she might’ve suspected there was something brewing between the two of them. Finn held out his hand to let Mei exit first, and then followed her out. As he passed Cass, he winked at her.

“Glad to see you up, ma’am.”

Cass nodded back. “Thanks, Finn.”

She watched them as they went out. From behind her, Wren made a little noise like he’d found something.

“Oh,” he said aloud, but almost to himself. “I wonder…” And then to Cass, “Mama, am I doing it now?”

Cass turned, and as she did, she had to squint against the radiance emanating from her son. But he didn’t appear to be her son anymore. Gone was her little boy, replaced instead by an otherworldly being, blazing like a star. The room behind him seemed dim in comparison to his brilliance. Where Lil had retained her general form and size, Wren seemed to grow. And his face changed; it seemed to be constantly shifting like a reflection on waves, his eyes and mouth distorted. If Lil’s eyes had been burning coals, Wren’s now were molten ore. Translucent orange fire seemed to gutter from the eye sockets and issue from his gaping mouth.

“Mama?” the demon said. Cass felt herself taking steps backwards without having meant to.

“Stop,” she said, and her voice came out in a whisper. “Please, stop.”

The light seemed to gather in on itself and moments later it subsided, and there set her son, small, fragile, nearly swallowed by the chair he was sitting in.

“Did I do it?” Wren asked.

Cass nodded, inhaled, tried to calm her pounding heart. “Yeah, baby,” she answered. “You did it.”

“I think there’s an easier way than what Lil said.”

And then, unexpectedly, Wren hopped up out of his chair and came over to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and nestled his head against her stomach. Cass draped her arms over his back and hugged him. She hoped he couldn’t tell she was trembling.

“I really love you a lot, Mama,” he said.

“I really love
you
a lot, Wren.” The contrast was almost shocking. The suddenness of it had surprised her, but she wasn’t about to question the moment. It warmed her to hear him say it first.

“I’m hungry,” he said.

“OK. Let’s see what we can find.”