Chapter 24 Bri #2
The path down into the canyon almost does me in.
I contemplate if it would be less painful to toss myself over the ledge instead of the slow zigzagging path down.
What’s a few broken bones compared to a slow descent?
It’s the final stretch, but there’s not a single muscle left in my body to hold me up.
I cling to the saddle for dear life, hoping I don’t slip off and get trampled under Daisy’s huge, flat feet.
The small shack covering the staircase down to the colony reminds me of the countless stairs standing between me and my bath.
“Fuck me,” I mutter.
“What?” Tai asks.
“Stairs. So. Many. Stairs.”
“You can do it, Sunshine. You’re a goddess, remember?” he says. “First one down gets the bed!”
I channel my brother's competitive spirit for this final push. There isn’t anything a sense of humor and healthy competition can’t fix.
“You’re on!” I swing my leg over and try to dismount, matching his movement. My body doesn’t cooperate, and I land with a face full of sand. Before I can peel myself up off the ground, Tai has me up and back on my feet.
He brushes the sand off my arms.
I step away, suddenly needing to put space between us. These feelings that I am struggling to suppress are not a good idea. I need to remind my libido. I clear my throat and hike up the oversized pants.
“Ready. Set. Go!” I shout and sprint toward the door, taking him off guard.
It’s a dirty move, but I need the advantage of a head start.
I get through the door before him and step into the narrow stairway leading down.
The lower half of my body is numb, but by some force of will, I find the energy to run down the stairs.
There isn’t enough room for him to pass, so I set the pace.
With every step down, my legs regain feeling.
Sharp pain shoots up from my feet with every stride.
Tai’s heavy footsteps close behind fuel me to go even faster. There are a few widened landings where he could pass me. There is no way I’m going to lose my bed, so I speed up and somehow manage to keep him behind me.
We’re almost to the bottom. By my count, there is only one landing left and I’m still in the lead.
It comes into view and I give it my all.
Tai’s pants are slipping down my hips, and my foot catches on the hem.
I’m pitched through the air and land with a hard belly flop on the stone floor with a wheeze.
I look up to see Tai’s face next to mine. He’s crouched down watching me, his face a blank slate.
“You okay?” he asks.
I roll over onto my back and look straight up at him. A small smile creeps across his mouth.
“Don’t you dare laugh,” I say, holding back a sour smile myself. My pride hurts more than anything else.
“You’re a clumsy little thing, aren’t you, Sunshine?” he says as the smile spreads across his whole face. “That bed is going to feel so good tonight!” he says over his shoulder as he continues down the stairs, leaving me on the floor.
I don’t move from my spot on the ground, staring up at the blank ceiling until a bell warns me of an approaching brethren. Footsteps quicken and the last face I would ever want to see comes into my field of vision. Boss.
“Blessed Resplendence! Why are you on the ground? Are you alright?” he asks and pulls me up to a sitting position.
“I’m okay. Just missed a step.” I stand up and straighten the oversized pants.
Boss’s eyes narrow on the borrowed clothing. I can almost feel his thoughts, and he is not happy.
“Those rags are not fit for the goddess,” he says with a sneer. “Allow me to find you something more…suitable.”
I return the look. “Don’t bother yourself with such a menial task. Surely you can find someone else to do it.” I jab at the way he treats his fellow brethren.
“Sweet Divinity, I am your humble servant and equal to all the brethren in your servitude.”
I’m not buying it for a second. His over-the-top choice of words are less and less genuine every day.
“Cut the bullshit,” I say, getting straight to the point. “We both know that isn’t true.”
He recoils. A flicker of shock before he recovers quickly and returns to the phony subservient tone he uses with me.
“I will admit to taking leadership when the brethren require it. When we landed here on Sabaak, there was pandemonium. If I hadn’t stepped in, we would have perished.
I would think our goddess would be appreciative of my efforts.
” Vitriol sneaks back. Apparently, he can only maintain the facade for so long.
This motherfucker. If he thinks he can intimidate me, he’s got another thing coming.
“Listen here, Brethren,” I say, emphasizing the title to help get my point across, “You need to chill the fuck out.”
“Chill? I am not overheated. Perhaps you need to cool down from the trip on the surface.” If he is trying to rile me up, it has the opposite effect. My irritation manifests as ice in my veins.
“It means you need to back off.” I poke his broad forehead with my index finger, adding fuel to the argument. I’m ready to fight.
His eyes blaze with anger and then he bows, “If it pleases you, consider it done.”
He slithers away into the colony without another word. I was not expecting that. I was ready to finally have it out with him and lay it all on the table!
The abrupt end to the conversation leaves me unsettled. As I walk the tunnels back to my room, I try to put the disturbing interaction behind me and instead focus on the giant warm tub waiting for me.