Solace Within Page 4

  ‘I don’t think I ever asked you,’ Aiden said as he followed James. ‘Why did you move out of the Citadel? It’s got to be an improvement on this place, surely?’

  ‘It was bigger, sure. Too much space for just one man though. Plus ghosts don’t make good company.’

  Aiden fell silent, recalling his part in the ruin of the Kinship. His time there had helped widen a rift between the Brothers, and on the night of the Ravager attack, many of the Brothers had gone against the pacifist teachings of their leader, Anthony Fenton, to take up arms to defend themselves. Most of them had survived the night, but the Kinship had not been so lucky.

  ‘Do you ever see any of the old faces?’ Aiden asked.

  A flicker of discomfort passed over James' face before the usual stern expression returned. ‘A few still live in town. The ones that split away. I never heard from Fenton again though, not after he led the last of the Brothers north into the mountains.’

  ‘I wonder if he found what he was looking for,’ Aiden said cheerlessly. He shook his head and moved on. ‘Does Ellis still live here in town? I’ve been meaning to pay him a visit for years now.’

  ‘He left town a while back. Happened to a lot of folk who couldn’t pay the protection. Last I heard he went to set up shop in Carson Waters.’

  ‘Pay protection?’ Aiden asked with a frown. ‘I thought that ended with Trent and his Kiln Boys.’

  ‘The Crimson Wolves filled that gap. It wasn’t long before all the old Kiln Boys joined and then it was business as usual again. You know what they say, nature abhors a vacuum. A few of the red bands swing by here from time to time. They tend to stick around the market mostly though. There’s no money in these parts. People are just living day to day.’ James tilted his head as he recalled something. ‘Say, did you ever find that friend of yours we visited in the mines?’

  ‘I stopped by, but he was already gone by the time I got there. Someone probably got to him first. He was a bit of a simpleton. Biggest guy you ever saw, but easy to take advantage of.’

  ‘I remember the size of him. Well ain’t that just the way of things,’ James said, blowing out his lips. ‘People standing on others to keep their heads above water. That’s why I prefer plants for company.’

  ‘Maybe you’re on to something there.’

  James turned to him. ‘So are you just here to reminisce and feel sorry for yourself, or are you actually going to buy something?’

  ‘All right,’ Aiden said with a smirk. ‘How about some more tomato seeds? I didn’t have much success with the last batch you sold me.’

  ‘Did you germinate ‘em on damp paper before planting like I told you?’

  ‘I tried,’ Aiden said, idly drumming his fingers on the table, ‘but I only managed to get a couple to sprout.’

  ‘Try keeping them warmer this time,’ James said as he moved to the rear of the room and began rooting around in a set of plastic storage bins. ‘Tomatoes hate the cold.’

  Leigh was stood at one of the oversized windows now, gazing out at the town. Aiden moved up alongside her. ‘High up, isn’t it,’ he said. ‘You feeling any better?’

  ‘A bit,’ she said. ‘This place is so alive. Look at all the people everywhere.’

  ‘You’ve never been to Kiln Commons before?’

  Leigh shook her head. ‘I don’t remember. Maybe. We lived on a farm somewhere. Dad would leave sometimes, said he was going into town. I guess that was here. He’d always come back smelling of rotten apples and then my mum would fight with him.’

  ‘You like this place then?’

  ‘I think so. It’s better than the house, that’s for sure.’

  ‘There’s an orphanage here that should be able to put a roof over your head.’

  ‘What’s an orphanage?’

  Aiden paused, wondering how to describe it. ‘It’s a place where kids with no parents live,’ he said. ‘There’ll be people there to look after you, and plenty of other kids your age there. You’ll be able to have all those friends you wanted.’

  ‘Here you go,’ James said, reappearing behind them with a plastic wrapped parcel in hand. ‘Collected from my own crop.’

  ‘You still take tokens?’ Aiden asked.

  ‘Old government? Of course, same as everyone else.’

  ‘How much?’

  ‘Normally I’d say three, but for you? Better make it four since you won’t be around here again for another year.’

  Aiden smiled and counted out the coins into the prickly gardener’s leathery hand. ‘I knew there was a reason I came here.’

  ‘Here,’ James said, flipping the extra coin at Leigh. ‘For not stealing anything.’

  ‘Take care of yourself, James,’ Aiden said extending his hand.

  James took it with a grunt. ‘Same to you. Try not to get yourself killed. I don’t know what I’d do without your constant business.’

  CHAPTER 4

  AS THEY CAME to the centre of the lively market, Aiden told Leigh to wait by the stone statue of the headless rider. The last thing he needed was to have to keep an eye on her in the middle of a crowd. Despite her protests she stayed put, and he left Hitch with her as he went to find breakfast.

  Aiden made his way through the press of people rushing back and forth between the clusters of stalls where merchants hawked their wares. Rodents, small birds, and unrecognisable lizards were turned on spits, filling the air with the rich smell of roasting meat. Aiden ignored all of them, knowing better than to trust such questionable food. He stopped as he came to a weathered black trailer propped up on bricks, the wheels long rusted away. A young couple inside were selling foil-wrapped baked potatoes, and Aiden purchased two of them.

  As he made his way back towards the statue, he caught sight of a large sport utility vehicle, or SUV, cruising along the road at a slow speed. Armoured plates were bolted onto the chassis, and it was painted black with a red line along the side serving to give the vehicle an intimidating appearance. Working vehicles were becoming a rare sight these days due to the expense of maintaining them, and Aiden wondered how anyone could afford to run something as fuel inefficient as an armoured SUV. He watched it pass, then crossed the road to where Leigh waited with Hitch.

  ‘Here, this is clean food,’ he said, handing Leigh one of the potatoes. ‘You can’t trust the meat around here, but it’s hard to mess up cooking a potato.’

  ‘Wow, thanks,’ she said, her eyes lighting up as she peeled back the foil and sniffed the rising steam.

  ‘Here, take this one too,’ Aiden said, handing her the second potato. ‘Save it for later.’

  Leigh took it and slipped it into her pocket. ‘I love potatoes,’ she said, blowing on the hot food before taking a bite. ‘You know, you’re actually quite nice when you’re not being grumpy.’

  ‘Don’t get used to it. Come on, let’s go find your new home.’

  Leigh’s face fell even while she chewed. Aiden laughed at the sight then led them away from the crowds.

  They soon found the orphanage in a back street off the market. A faded sign that read ‘Sisters of Grace’ hung above a flimsy wooden door leading into the old factory. Stepping inside, Aiden was assaulted by the smell of solvents and mould. He heard children giggling somewhere out of sight as Leigh followed him inside, looking around with unmasked disgust.

  ‘Hello?’ Aiden called out. ‘Anyone home?’

  A hooded woman emerged from behind a colossal iron vat pitted with rust. Wisps of grey hair fell out from under her hood, sticking to her sunken cheeks. She carried a plastic doll with most of its hair missing under her arm.

  ‘What can I do for you, young man?’ she asked.

  ‘Young man?’ Aiden said, raising an eyebrow.

  ‘When you get to be my age, everyone seems young.’

  ‘Right,’ Aiden said, matching the woman’s wry smile. ‘I take it you run things here?’

  ‘The name’s Charlotte and I’m one of the Sisters here,’ she said, spreading her sinewy arms.
‘We do what we can for the unfortunate children in our care.’

  On cue, a couple of kids ran into view giggling between themselves. They saw the adults, lapsed into silence, then turned and ran back the way they came.

  ‘I hope your dog there doesn’t bite,’ Charlotte said as Hitch padded around, sniffing the large vat on the factory floor.

  ‘He’s friendly,’ Aiden said. ‘Even seems to take a shine to kids too for some reason.’

  ‘Is there a reason not to like children?’ Charlotte said, squinting at him suspiciously.

  ‘I guess I just don’t have the nurturing instinct,’ Aiden said, forcing a smile. People had always looked at him with suspicion for not liking children. ‘So do you look after many kids here?’

  ‘More than we’d like, that’s for sure. It’s always a struggle to keep our heads above water. If you can help out at all…’

  ‘I’m afraid I’m not here to contribute.’ Aiden looked down at Leigh, feeling a stab of sympathy in his gut as he saw the girl smiling nervously despite being on the verge of tears. ‘I found Leigh here alone outside town. She has no parents and I was hoping someone here would be able to care for her.’

  ‘These are sad times when the little ones are left to fend for themselves.’ Charlotte’s gaze lingered on Leigh for a moment. ‘Come here then, child, let me have a look at you.’

  Leigh took a step forward and Charlotte took the girl’s head in her hands. Her bony fingers combed through Leigh’s scalp and checked her teeth, turning her head from side to side. ‘Well, she’s very healthy. Pretty little thing too. She just needs a few good meals inside her.’ Charlotte pinched Leigh’s skinny arm, causing her to pull back sharply. ‘We can take her off your hands I think. She can stay here if she makes herself useful, at least until she’s old enough to make her own way.’

  Aiden thanked the woman, who turned and walked away to let the pair say goodbye.

  ‘This place smells horrible,’ Leigh whispered, her eyes welling up. ‘And why is she carrying a doll around? That’s so creepy. Please don’t leave me here.’

  ‘You know we had a deal,’ Aiden said, his fingers fidgeting inside his pocket at the emotional display. ‘I can’t be responsible for you.’

  ‘Why can’t you teach me then? Show me how to be strong and survive on my own like you. I’m a good learner, and then you won’t have to be responsible for me.’

  ‘I have my own problems to worry about. I already did you a favour bringing you this far.’ He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder as she looked up at him with her large brown eyes. ‘You’ll do fine here, you’re a strong kid, Leigh.’

  ‘Here’s your jacket back,’ she said, trying to pull the oversized jacket up over her head.

  Aiden stopped her. ‘Keep it, it’s yours.’

  Charlotte reappeared and held out her hand towards Leigh. ‘All ready then, little one?’

  ‘You’ll look after her, won’t you?’ Aiden asked, surprised at the question falling out of his mouth.

  ‘We’ll do the best we can,’ the old woman said as she took the tearful girl’s hand. ‘Come on, dear, let’s go introduce you to the others.’ Leigh threw a pleading glance back at him as she was led deeper into the building.

  Then she was gone.

  Aiden sighed, his anger at letting himself get attached already starting to overwhelm his sympathy. He whistled Hitch, then turned and left the orphanage. He’d be back on the road soon, and at least he could look forward to some measure of peace and solitude again.

  CHAPTER 5

  AIDEN HEADED TOWARDS the old car dealership, winding his way between the rusted chassis littering the car park. Surprisingly, most of the floor to ceiling windows of the building were still intact. Inside, he could see the old show floor was setup as a factory with people busy picking through piles of assorted metal parts and working on assembly lines. Kendal had set up her business here a few years back and, despite conflict with the Crimson Wolves, she had become successful. She ran a tight operation, and had earned an honest reputation in Kiln Commons because of it.

  Coming to the entrance, the burly security guard at the door stepped in front of Aiden causing Hitch to growl softly. ‘State your business,’ the guard said, standing with the feigned ease of someone ready for trouble.

  ‘I’m here to see Kendal,’ Aiden said.

  ‘And you are?’

  ‘Aiden. Kendal will know the name.’

  The guard looked down his nose at Aiden for a second, then turned and disappeared inside without a word. He reappeared a moment later and gestured Aiden through. Inside, the building hummed with the whirring of machinery. The heat was oppressive as sweat-soaked workers hurried back and forth, none of them casting a second look at the newcomers.

  Aiden crossed the factory floor and came to Kendal’s office. He knocked on the open door and stepped inside. Kendal was there, leaning over a desk littered with various weapon parts and ammunition casings. Beside her was obviously a client, his dark suit a stark contrast to the oil-stained tank top she wore.

  ‘I can do you five rifles for that price,’ she said, removing her peaked cap and running a hand through her lank blonde hair. ‘But you can rest assured they’re good bits of kit. Reliable. Exactly what you need to defend yourself from Ravagers and other unsavoury types.’

  ‘Ravagers,’ the suited man said with a snort. ‘They haven’t been seen around here for years. I’m more worried about the Crimson Wolves knocking down my door.’

  ‘Well either way, these weapons should give you the leverage you need to solve your problems,’ Kendal said, replacing her cap. ‘So we have an agreement?’

  The man hesitated, casting a nervous glance towards Aiden, then nodded and shook her hand.

  ‘Perfect,’ Kendal said, taking the bundle of notes the man pulled out of his pocket. ‘I’ll arrange some of my boys to run the goods over, you can expect them within the hour. Pleasure doing business with you.’

  ‘I hope these are worth the investment,’ the man said, eyeing the money he had just handed over with a worried expression.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Kendal said, patting his shoulder. ‘I’m a believer in repeat custom. I didn’t get to where I am today by ripping people off.’

  Aiden stepped aside as the man left the office. Kendal looked up, noticing him for the first time. ‘Ah Aiden, I wondered when I’d see your face around here again.’

  ‘Hot in here, isn’t it?’ Aiden said.

  ‘Too many people, not enough windows. You get used to it.’

  ‘Business seems good,’ Aiden said, nodding at the leaving customer and closing the door to muffle the sound of the workers.

  ‘I can’t complain,’ Kendal said as she wiped her shiny brow with her elbow. She knelt down and beckoned to Hitch. ‘Hello boy, how ya doing?’ The dog bounded over and Kendal tussled his head playfully. ‘Aiden looking after you? If he isn’t, you just say the word and you can come live with me, okay?

  ‘So what can I do for you?’ she asked picking herself up and winking at Aiden. ‘You looking for some more hardware? I just came into some assault rifle parts.’ She picked up a handful of springs and metal tubes before tossing them back on the table with a clatter. ‘I’m sure there’s at least one working gun somewhere in this pile.’

  ‘Thanks, but actually I’m here with something for you.’

  Kendal nodded and beckoned Aiden over to an empty table set against the wall. ‘All right, let’s see what you’ve got.’

  Aiden swung his pack down onto the table and began laying out the equipment he had scavenged from the bunker. The two Colt pistols, the plastic-handled knife, and the rest of the assorted gear.

  Kendal whistled as she picked up one of the pistols and turned it over in her hands. ‘No corrosion. No rust. These look brand new. Where did you get your hands on loot like this?’

  ‘I take it you’re interested then?’ Aiden asked.

  ‘Of course, who wouldn’t be?’ Kendal said, putti
ng the pistol down. ‘But you didn’t answer my question.’

  ‘How many years have you been in this business, Kendal? And yet you still ask where people get their merchandise?’

  ‘Well, I have to try, right?’ she said with a smirk as she turned her eye back to the collection of equipment. ‘This everything then?’

  ‘That’s the lot. Oh hang on.’

  Aiden released the magazines from the pistols and clicked the bullets out into his palm, pocketing them in his jacket.

  ‘You don’t want to sell those? Old world bullets will net you a pretty penny. I can trade you for some of our home-made ones and you’ll still come out ahead.’

  ‘Nothing against your product,’ Aiden said, ‘but reliability is more important to me than cost. When I pull the trigger I need to know my gun will fire, not worry about it jamming with a dud round.’

  ‘All right, sod you then. Say, the stamp on this knife,’ Kendal said, taking the blade and examining the shield printed on its hilt. ‘I’ve seen it somewhere before. This is military right? Pre-Dawn?’

  ‘Could be,’ Aiden said. ‘It’s new to me though.’

  Kendal dropped the knife back on the table and picked up the decoder from the pile of equipment. ‘What about this?’ she asked.

  ‘I was hoping you might be able to tell me what that is.’

  Kendal turned the artefact over in her hands and pursed her lips. ‘Same symbol printed here as on the knife, but I’ve never seen anything like it before.’ She passed it to him. ‘Not much use to me. Maybe you could find someone down in the Rim who could tell you what it’s for.’

  ‘Yeah, I figured as much. I’m heading south to pick up a few bits in the city anyway.’

  As Aiden stashed the decoder back in his pack along with the ID card and documents he was still holding on to, the door to the office burst open causing him to instinctively reach for his pistol. A young blonde-haired boy ran through the doorway and Aiden relaxed.

  ‘Hello Magpie, my little man,’ Kendal said, grabbing the kid and picking him up over her head causing the boy to squeal with delight. ‘Mummy’s busy right now, so you run along and play.’