Machinations and Sacrifices

CHAPTER 5: Trinity

CHAPTER 5: Trinity

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Trinity hurried through the quiet corridors of the Council Building. It was early, but her ears perked up for any sound of her mother. She didn’t need another lecture about this visit to Dr. Kalper’s.

She slipped out the door and waved at a young male Grunt who lingered in the streets. She’d seen him around. He was always the first one to show up in the morning and the last to leave. He deserved to get the job.

He hurried over, motioning at one of the carriages that sat outside the building. He slapped his chest and flexed his muscles.

“Yes, you’re very strong.” She smiled at him. “I understand a bit of Grunt-speak.” She moved her hands, using the signals that she’d picked up from Cack.

His hands started flying and he grunted so fast she couldn’t tell where one sound ended, and another began.

“Slow down.” She touched his arm, stopping him. “I understand a little, but you have to speak slowly.”

He smiled, his large white teeth looking huge in his gaunt face. He grunted softly, “Sorry”.

“No need to apologize. I’m Trinity.”

He nodded vigorously as he grunted, “Producer. Almighty. House Servant. Hero.”

“No.”

He frowned.

“I am part Producer, part Almighty and part Servant, but I’m not a hero.” She felt more like a failure than a hero. The world was different now because of her and her friends, but she wasn’t sure it was better. Her life certainly wasn’t.

“My hero.” He smiled shyly at her.

She didn’t have time to argue with the Grunt. She’d like to be back when Hugh sat in court, hearing the cases of some of those still in jail, but she had to be back before the Council meeting. Jethro’s freedom would come up again. It always did, and every time fewer and fewer voted on Hugh’s side. She wasn’t even sure she was on his side about this anymore, but she’d decide that when it was time to vote. Until then, she had things she had to get done. “I need someone to pull the carriage. Do you want the job?”

He nodded again, slapping his chest hard enough to make her wince.

“Great.” She walked to the smallest carriage. It’d just be her so there was no need to make the poor Grunt pull a larger one. He may be strong and eager, but he was too thin, his clothes hanging on his large frame.

He moved into place and began fastening the harness.

“You know how to do that?” She’d never seen a Grunt work with the traces and hadn’t thought their feet-like hands were dexterous enough to connect all the tiny loops.

He nodded, the strap slipping from the three digits on his front feet. He frowned, grabbing it again.

Her hands flexed at her sides. It’d be faster if she did it, but he seemed determined. Still, she didn’t want to be standing here all day. If her mother or, Araldo forbid, her father saw her... “Let me help.” She began fastening the traces, not waiting for his okay.

He shot her an unhappy look, his cheeks turning slightly red.

“I’m sure you can do it.” She moved on to the next one, her fingers flying over the knots.

His shoulders sagged.

“I mean, I know you can do it but if my mom”—she glanced at the building—“sees me she’s going to ask a lot of questions that I don’t want to answer.”

He grinned, tapping his chest and then signaling, “My mom is like that too.”

She laughed. “I think all moms are like that.” She finished hooking him to the cart. “What’s your name?” She checked all the knots, making sure they were secure.

“Ott,” he grunted.

“Ott?” Most of their names were one syllable and sounded similar. She wanted to make sure she had it right. It’d be rude to call him by the wrong name all morning.

He nodded, smiling his goofy smile.

“Great. Do you know where Dr. Kalper lives?” Most of those in the other classes were familiar with the doctor.

He nodded.

“Then let’s go.”

“Trinity, wait!” shouted someone.

“Travis!” She hurried over to him as he strode toward her. He looked good, thinner but good.

“I’m so glad I caught you.” He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off her feet.

“Me too.” She hugged him. She saw Mirabelle at the Council meetings, but she hadn’t seen Travis in months. He was always working or trying to find work. This new world hadn’t been easy on them or anyone actually.

Everyone was free now, but for most of those in the other classes life was worse than before the war. Hugh’s new laws required Almightys to pay their Servants, Guards, Stockers and Grunts, but most Almightys couldn’t afford that or refused to pay for services that used to be free. That meant a lot more strays. No, that term was no longer allowed. Now, they were called the Released. A new word but their reality was the same—no safe place to sleep and no food. The only benefit was that no matter where they wandered, they no longer had to worry about being rounded up and killed. She didn’t want to go back to executing someone simply because they existed, but that meant a lot more Released roaming the streets and starving.

He put her down, letting his arms drop to his sides. “You look great.” He smiled at her, his large round face as friendly and good natured as ever.

“You too.” She tapped his arm. “I don’t see many Producers anymore. I’ve forgotten how big and strong you guys are.” Her mom was full-blooded Producer but smaller than most of the others and even Mirabelle was small compared to the males.

“Yeah. I can still work dawn to dusk.” His eyes dimmed a little. “If I can find a job.”

“Hugh’s working on that but...Have you reconsidered farming? You’re good at that and we need—”

“We can’t go back to the camps.” Mirabelle walked over to them from the side of the building. “I have a job here. Remember? Hugh needs me on the Council to support my class. I’m the only true Producer on the committee.”

“I’m Producer too. I may be mixed but I always vote for what I believe is best for Producers. I think going back to farming is best for them and everyone.”

“No. Never.” His eyes hardened. “I won’t go back to those fields. I won’t be a prisoner again.”

“But you won’t be. You’ll rent the land. You’ll earn money.” This was part of the food problem. They couldn’t get Producers to go back to the fields. Some Grunts, Guards and Servants had gone and attempted to farm, but they didn’t have the experience and weren’t cut out for the work.

“For now but how long before that rule changes and we’re food again?” asked Travis.

“Hugh won’t let that happen.”

“Hugh won’t be able to stop it if the insurgents win.”

“They won’t. There are hardly any left. Hugh has troops rounding them up.”

“There were hardly any of us either and we won. They could too.”

“That won’t happen.” It couldn’t. If it did, then all of this, all their sacrifices would be for nothing.

“And even if it doesn’t, how long before the others convince Hugh that he’d save more lives by sacrificing the few. Us. Producers.” He glanced around. “This area is nice but the others...We’re starving. All of us. Guards. Servants. Grunts. Someone is going to make him believe that—”

“They won’t. He’d never do that, but you’re right. There are too many who are hungry...starving. That’s why we need Producers to go back to the fields.” She didn’t know why she kept talking. She’d had this argument with so many Producers, but it never worked.

“It’s not going to be us.” He wrapped his arm around Mirabelle.

“Why?” She turned to the other female. “Your father is there. Your siblings are helping in some of the other camps. You know it’s safe.”

“Like I said, I have a job.” It was clear from the tightness around her lips and the way Mirabelle glanced at Travis that this was a familiar argument between them.

“Okay.” She may not like the other female, but Travis was one of her best friends. She wasn’t going to cause any conflict between them. “Hugh’s looking to expand the school system. He wants the young from all the classes to get an education and that’ll mean adding additions to the current schools and building a few more.”

“Really? When?” Travis took Mirabelle’s hand and kissed it. “See. I told you this would work out.”

“I...I don’t know exactly when. He needs investors. He’s going to try to raise it at the party.”

“Great. When?”

“Ah...in a few months.” She shouldn’t have said anything. It seemed way too close to her. She still didn’t have a dress and she had no idea how to act around all the rich, powerful Almighty who’d be there, but to Travis who was hungry, months may as well be years.

“Oh.” Travis’ face fell.

“You can stick around for the meeting today. They always serve something for lunch.”

“I don’t need charity.” His eyes clouded with anger. His family hadn’t been rich in the camps, but they’d worked for everything they’d had. This was no different.

“I know that. I didn’t mean—”

“Mirabelle,” Tammie yelled and waved as she walked over to them, holding a large basket. Curtis, at her side, carried two other baskets overflowing with produce.

“Tammie. Curtis. What are you doing here?” she asked. This morning was turning into a reunion.

“I’m here to train with your mom”—Tammie put the basket down—“and to give Mirabelle a gift from her father.”

“Thank you.” Mirabelle hugged Tammie. “Tell him thank you.”

“You should go visit him,” chided Tammie. “He’d love to see you.”

“I will.” Mirabelle glanced at Travis.

“He’s no longer a prisoner. He could come and see us.” Travis took the baskets from Curtis and placed them on the ground.

“He’s old and set in his ways,” said Tammie. “It won’t kill you to visit him.”

“It might if the rules change when we’re there,” mumbled Travis.

“Like you don’t think they’ll find you and force you to go there if things change.” Tammie glared at him. “If the rules change, we’re all back at the camps and dead. The best way to keep that from happening is to do our part.”

“I don’t have to make it easy for them by living in the cages they built for us,” argued Travis.

“Give it up, Travis,” Curtis slapped him on the back. “You aren’t going to win this argument.” He stood on tiptoe and kissed Tammie. “I’ll see you at home. I’m off to see if Bo has some work for me today.”

“Ask him if he needs a Producer too,” said Travis.

“Will do.”

“Good luck.” Tammie hugged him. “And be careful.”

“You too,” said Curtis.

“Me?” Tammie laughed. “I’ll be safe in the Council Building learning the best way to heal rashes and raging bowels from Millie.”

“Herbs can be poisonous.” Curtis laughed as he turned and left.

“Only the good ones,” yelled Tammie.

“Ah...What time are you meeting my mom?” Trinity glanced at the door.

“Well, we’re off.” Travis picked up the baskets.

“Wait.” Tammie grabbed his arm, her eyes on Curtis’ retreating form.

“Why?” Travis looked at the others.

Trinity shrugged, her gaze darting back to the door. She needed to get out of there before her mother saw her.

“I’ve heard of a job. For Producers,” whispered Tammie.

“You have? Why didn’t—”

“Curtis doesn’t like it.”

“Why?” asked Travis.

“He thinks it has to do with the gangs.”

“That’s not good.” Trinity turned to her friends, forgetting her mom for a minute. The gangs of Guards and Servants had grown bigger and more dangerous with the vast number of new strays. “You shouldn’t do it then. It’s not safe.”

“Curtis doesn’t know for sure that it has to do with gangs, and money is money. They aren’t asking us to do anything illegal. They need things moved. I’ve heard some other Producers talking about it. They said the work is hard, but the money is good.”

“What did they say they had to do?” asked Travis.

“They hauled large crates out of some of the buildings at the Warehouse District onto carts and then moved the carts to the wharf.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” said Travis.

“What was in the crates?” Trinity didn’t trust this.

“No one knows for sure. Some say they’re removing the cages from the buildings and melting down the metal.”

“Oh.” She wasn’t at all opposed to that. Those cages had been used to imprison her kind until they were slaughtered. “The entire area should be burnt to the ground.”

“I agree.” Tammie’s eyes darted behind Travis again. “I’m going to the next one.”

“You are?” asked Trinity. “Without telling Curtis?”

“Don’t look at me like that,” snapped Tammie. “You’re sneaking out in the early morning. Does Hugh know about this trip you’re making.”

“Actually, he does.” She straightened. “It was his idea.”

“Where are you going?” asked Travis.

“It doesn’t matter.” She couldn’t tell them. They wouldn’t understand. She didn’t understand why Hugh didn’t want babies with her. “We’re talking about this job. There must be some reason Curtis doesn’t trust it. He’s not one to overreact.”

“No, but it’s not the job so much as me.” Tammie touched her stomach. “He’s been very protective lately, but we really need the money.”

“You’re...” Trinity almost choked on the word.

“Yeah.” Tammie smiled but her big brown eyes filled with tears. “It’ll be a mix. It won’t be easy. We both know that, but we love each other and—”

“That’s so wonderful!” Mirabelle almost squealed with delight. “Travis and I can’t wait to have young.”

“I’m so happy for you.” Travis put the baskets back down and hugged Tammie. “I’ll go with you, so Curtis won’t have to worry.”

“Thank you.” Tammie’s smile almost glowed.

“Yeah. Congratulations.” Trinity hugged her friend, hating herself for the jealousy that twisted inside her.

“Thanks. Your mom is helping me with some morning sickness issues I’ve been having.”

“That’s great. I mean, not the morning sickness but...What time are you meeting my mom?” This was the perfect reason to leave before she started crying right there in front of everyone.

“She said to come early.” Tammie looked worried. “Am I too early?”

“Probably not and that means, I have to go.”

“You really need to give your mom a break.” Tammie touched her stomach again. “We’re all going to be mothers soon. We’re going to make mistakes, but we’ll love our babies just like your mom loves you.”

“I know she loves me. I really do.” She backed toward the carriage. “But I don’t see any reason to start off my day with a fight and that’s exactly what’ll happen if I see her.”

“Why?” asked Tammie.

“I’ve gotta run.” She couldn’t talk about her visit with Dr. Kalper with any of them. They were all happy couples and ready to welcome babies into their lives, unlike Hugh who wanted to avoid it.