“Answer him, Ashleigh,” Josiah ordered with more force than necessary. “Dormas is considering accepting some of our homeless Walker citizens into their community and providing them with jobs in their mines.”
The Walker overpopulation was becoming an increasingly apparent problem, despite the sterilization law that went into effect last year. I, too, would be expected to report to headquarters on my nineteenth birthday in a couple of months to be sterilized. Moving these Walkers to a neighboring province would ease a significant burden from Josiah's shoulders.
I swallowed deeply. “Yes, I am happy. The Stonewell family is very good to me,” I replied in half honesty. “They acquired me as a young child after my family died from Influenza X.” I shuddered at the memory of my parent's death, and Master Black watched my distress with a look that mimicked pity. I was three when my parents died of that horrible disease. From what little I could remember, it was crippling to watch them suffer.
Sometimes at night I still remembered them. The way my mother smelled of lilac, and how I envied her soft curls. I remember my father’s bright smile and kind eyes. They were poor but happy.
They couldn’t give me much, but in the end, they gave me the greatest gift of all:
Immunity.
Being exposed to Influenza X allowed me to discover that I was in the top two percent naturally immune to it. I was still born a Walker, and couldn’t escape my class despite being immune to the disease. But because of my immunity, I was allowed to be procured by a high-ranking family. I was more desirable because I didn’t require the vaccine.
Josiah used to fondly tell me that he begged his parents for me because I looked like a princess, and he wanted to rescue me like a knight in one of his books.
Mr. Black nodded thoughtfully and pulled me closer, jerking me out of my memories.
“Dormas recently acquired an impressive fortune. A gold mine was discovered within our borders making us one of the richest provinces in the empire,” he said simply. “However, this discovery has been accompanied by some complications. Our population dwindled when we succumbed to the X outbreak, and we were unable to afford the vaccine that Galla produces. We need people to harvest our gold and defend our mines against neighboring scavengers. We are considering allowing Walkers into our village to work in exchange for vaccinations, food, and shelter.”
I considered his deal and smiled. It would give Walkers the opportunity to make their way to a new place.
“Our trade is still in the finalization process,” Josiah interrupted. “This will only apply to our homeless Walkers; those with jobs or belonging to families will not be traded,” he quickly added in what I assumed to be his attempt at covertly comforting me. “We also need to discuss further the terms of payment. It won't be cheap to vaccinate all the Walkers you want, and we have a monopoly over the vaccine.”
“Ahhh! Always talk of money with Galla,” Mr. Black interrupted. “I think I might like for this particular Walker to join me back in Dormas,” he said with a playful smile. I found it difficult to believe that the hard, threatening man that scared me earlier was the same one now smiling at me.
“That is truly a kind offer, but I am pleased with my position here in the Stonewell family,” I answered automatically.
“Oh, babe. You wouldn’t be a servant in my home,” he whispered, and my cheeks heated at his insinuation.
“Enough,” Josiah ordered while pounding his fist on the dining room table. Everyone turned to stare at him. His face was red, and I noticed a small vein throbbing consistently on his forehead. He was visibly upset.
“I apologize, Josiah! Wasn’t it you that said Walkers were like roaches?” Master Black took a sip of his wine, and the hurt that coursed through me stabbed at the edges of my heart. I kept my face still to keep the tears at bay. Josiah didn’t respond and, again, avoided looking at me. I couldn’t help but feel betrayed.
"The Walker phenomena is a new concept to the Dormas province. Everyone within our community contributes. Wealth and status do not determine a citizen's rations. I find your ways peculiar,” he continued.
“Respectfully,” joined in Mistress Stonewell. “I’d like to add that, obviously, your ways aren’t necessarily working. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here negotiating for Walkers to help with your little skirmishes with the scavengers.” Mistress Stonewell then took a bite of her food. She had a happy gleam in her eyes.
Master Black smiled politely in response, but I noticed his knuckles were white and clenched tightly in the form of a fist. “Oh yes, ma’am, you are quite right, but I’d like to add that it was you that invited me. I wonder what that says about the effectiveness of your system.” His boisterous laugh then filled the room, making me smile. Despite his rough, severe exterior, Master Black was snarky and fun.
“I’d like to take you on a tour of Galla tomorrow, with your brother’s permission,” Josiah said to Jules. He maintained a forced, polite tone, but jealousy still flooded me like a tidal wave of fire.
“Oh, that would simply be lovely!” Jules exclaimed while twirling her hair on her index finger.
“Would you mind if I joined the both of you? I don’t want to intrude on your courtship, but I would very much enjoy a tour,” Master Black said. A slight pout formed on Jules’ face, making me wonder if she thought it made her look cute.
“Of course, you are most welcome to join us,” Josiah replied.
The rest of dinner went by without any major disasters. I mostly remained invisible in the corner of the room, making myself available if they needed anything, but primarily focusing on my nails. I briefly noticed Josiah peering longingly at me, but I chalked it up as my wishful imagination. Josiah was consistently polished and professional.
Chapter Four
Eventually, everyone excused themselves and I made quick work of clearing the table and cleaning the kitchen. I wanted to escape to the solitude of the basement as quickly as possible and avoid speaking with Josiah at all costs.
I turned the water to a scalding-hot temperature and let the natural pain distract me while I scrubbed dishes until my fingers tingled. I felt a broad sense of sadness settle in my chest.
Josiah was getting married. Married! Was I just another Walker to him? A roach? I shuddered at the thought of Josiah thinking so lowly of me. I knew it was unrealistic to hope that he and I could ever act upon this unspoken tension between us. But, could I honestly handle sitting here, watching him build a family with Jules?
For a fleeting moment, I considered Master Black’s offer to go with him to Dormas. His whispered promise that I wouldn’t live as a Walker in his home had me wondering what life would be like there. Cyler Black was a unique blend of terrifying, but his offer was intriguing. Would I find happiness elsewhere? Would escaping all of this pain be better?
The door to the kitchen opened, and I turned to face the intruder after removing my hands from the burning-hot water in the sink. Josiah stood in the kitchen entryway with his arms crossed over his thick, defined, chest. He wore a defeated expression that made my heart stutter. I wanted nothing more than to hug him tightly, but once again I kept my distance.
Despite feeling hurt by everything, the urge to comfort him was still present–strangling me with a need so fierce, I couldn’t help but take deep breaths to calm down.