Tabitha Chirrick - Overshadowed

“Another day you two come up short,” Fehn said.

“What are you expecting?” Tayel asked. “We only put our names on the list a couple weeks ago. Most people signed up the day they got here. Of course they’ll be called first.”

“They don’t call based on order of signup,” Shy said. “One of the people we signed on with was called yesterday, remember? They’re picking recruits on another basis.”

“Well maybe we should just ask what that basis is ,” Tayel said.

Fehn crossed his arms. “Random.”

“If you can come up with a better way to get into the castle, then by all means, Tayel,” Shy said.

“Oh, yeah, sorry . I knew I should have remembered to bring that list of ways to break into a government building with me. You know, before my home planet started to crumble and all.”

“Let’s just get some dinner,” Fehn suggested.

Tayel kept her follow-up comments to herself. Shy’s ‘captain-of-the-crew’ act proved a steadily growing irritation. The woman talked down to people like they were her servants. She thought she was so caliber with her polestaff and know-how.

Tayel stepped into the opposite meal line as Fehn and her highness . She squeezed her shoulder, trying to ease out some of the stress. Jace’s dad, Arcen, had once taught her some meditative practices. She took a deep breath and focused on something nice. Something like… beating Shy’s head in with a mag baton.

Unsatisfied by the gruesome image, she slid a plate off the stack of hundreds and shuffled forward. A camp worker topped her dish with the camp’s standard, off-color gruel, and she grabbed a cup before sliding into the next line for water.

She tapped her foot in the grass. Many Argels wandered the crowd, but not Jace. He’d returned to their tent weeks ago, but only ever to sleep. Most of the time, he was gone when she went to bed and asleep when she woke to go to the woods. By the time she came back, he would already be gone. He wouldn’t talk to her.

She turned the spigot on the water tank and sighed. A few days ago, thinking about his absence would have thrown her into a panic, but as time flew by, the feeling replaced itself with depression. She missed being panicked.

Fehn and Shy had found a seat far away from the enormous bonfire in the middle of the meal area. Tayel placed her food beside them and, cautious of her sore muscles, sat cross-legged in the grass.

“And I still don’t understand why you won’t let me practice with a gun,” Fehn continued. “You and Red practice with your weapons daily. What am I supposed to do when I actually have to fight? Run sprinting drills?”

“You’ve fired a gun, yes?” Shy asked.

“Sure.”

“Then you’ll figure it out when you have to fire one again.”

Fehn rose his eyebrows at her.

“What good will training with a gun do you when you’re using up the cartridges meant to attack the actual threat?” she asked. “You’re not going to use up what little ammo I could pack on trees.”

“Then what’s the point of continuing to go out into the woods with you two if everything I do can be accomplished in camp? You make us run enough during the day.”

“Seriously,” Tayel mumbled through her food.

“You’re the one who refuses to try anything else,” Shy countered.

He held up his hand and shook his head. “Whatever.” He finished his drink and turned to Tayel. “Seen any sign of Feathers?”

She poked at her food. “Not since the usual wake up routine.”

“Now that we’re done fueling up the ship, we could be leaving any day now. Once you or Shy are called to the castle, there isn’t much point in sticking around.”

“Don’t you think I understand that? You know I’ve been trying to talk to him. I’ve been worried sick.”

“What’s his problem?” Shy asked.

Tayel glared. “He’s just being evasive. He’s obviously hurt and…” She trailed off.

Fehn sighed. Squeezed his temples. “He told me where he’s been when he’s not sleeping.”

“What?” A pain ripped through Tayel’s chest. “Why would he tell you and not me?”

“Because he wanted someone to know where he was. Just not you, I guess.”

She scoffed. “Where is he?”

“The guard sector. He marked a tent on my map; said he hangs around there.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. When did he tell you all this?”

“This morning.”

“Fehn!”

“What, Red? He said he didn’t want to talk to you. Believe me, I tried to tell him to go to you instead. Do you think I want to be his babysitter?” He thrust the map into her hand. “There. Go.”

“Fehn, he’ll barely look at me. What makes you think I’m going to show up and he’ll be willing to say something? You have to come.”

“Ah, Red, don’t drag me into this. He’s your friend.”

“And yet he’ll talk to you, not me.”

His mouth hung open, but his shoulders sagged, and whatever air he’d built to speak, he spent it on murmuring an expletive instead.

“Just come with me to the guard sector, okay? If it gets awkward, you’re off the hook,” Tayel said.

“For the love of — fine, Red, whatever.”

“ Thank you.”

He waved a dismissive hand. “You’ve looked terrible lately.”

Shy snorted.

Tayel gaped. “Gee, th—”

“I mean, don’t think anything of it. If it’ll help get over your issues, I’ll go.”

“My issues ?”

“Did you want to find him or not?” he asked.

Shy swiveled her head between them as they stood. “Well, you two have fun.”

Tayel gave her a pointed look. “Thanks.”

“Don’t linger around each other too long. We don’t want the guard taking suspicion.”

Tayel gathered her plate and followed Fehn to the dish drop off. When they were well out of ear-shot, she muttered, “Banshee.”

“Now I know you aren’t calling me a banshee,” Fehn said.

“I’m not. I’m calling Shy one.”

“She acts how she has to, Red. So she’s overly-cautious. This entire situation isn’t easy, and she’s done a good job pulling us through.”

“Since when do you take her side, Mr. I-hate-raiders?”

“I’m not on anyone’s side.”

“Yeah, sure.”

She and Fehn walked together, winding the trodden path through miles of tents. The last light of day faded from the sky, leaving the glowing orange campfires to cast long, dark shadows.

Tayel remembered looking for Jace in the guard sector the night he ran away. He hadn’t been there then, but she could understand why he went there now. He just wanted to feel safe in a world where his best friend could betray him and his parents could go missing. Her chest tightened. If she couldn’t convince him to leave Elsha — no . He’d listen. Jace always listened. He’d see her side and understand. Hopefully.

As she and Fehn drew closer to the guard sector, the noise of chatter quieted. People laughed a little less. Refugees sat like solemn statues and looked up with shadowed faces when they walked past.

“Does something feel off to you?” Tayel whispered.

“They all got sticks up their asses over here is all,” Fehn said. “Feathers probably fits right in.”

A strange feeling of being watched overcame her, halting her response. A feeling not unlike several weeks before, when Shy stalked her around camp. She stopped, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling.

“What?” Fehn asked.

“Um.” She scanned the path behind them. “Nothing, I think.”

“Well, we’re almost there.”

Tayel followed after him, but the feeling didn’t go away. Her heart raced a little faster at the thought of confronting Jace.