Kingdom of Cages(166)

But before then, there was one other thing to be done.


“Tam.”

His city was speaking to him. Tam’s eyelids fluttered open. The examination room was dim and cool. His city making him comfortable. He should thank her, but his throat was tight and dry, and he was not sure how many words he could speak. What was important was that he answer her. He could thank her later for looking after his comfort. Yes, that was good. “Yes?”

“Can you stand?”

A strange question. Well, perhaps not. He had been in the chair for days, and his legs felt weak. Of course his city was asking the right thing. His city was looking after him. He must be grateful to his city, and to his family, for looking after him.

“I can stand, Aleph.” He swung his legs to the side, planted his feet on the floor, and stood. His knees only trembled a little, and a surge of pride washed through him at the thought that he had done what his city asked.

“Tam, I want to help you.”

“Yes, you are my city.” His eyes closed again, swaying gently. It felt so good to agree, so easy. He knew what was right now. “You will always help me.”

“Tam, I want to get you out of here.”

Confusion stirred inside Tam and opened his eyes. Out of where? Out of the city? No, that could not be right. Outside had to be protected. Yes, he could go to a village… but why would Aleph be helping him to go to a village? His duties were suspended. That was right. He needed help before he could resume his place. His family would help him. “I don’t understand.”

“Tam, your sister has hurt you.”

“My sister cannot hurt me,” said Tam instantly. “She’s family.”

“You used to believe otherwise,” Aleph told him urgently. “Do you remember?”

Tam winced and clutched the chair arm, steadying himself. “I don’t want to remember that.”

“Try, Tam. I am your city. I would not tell you to do something bad.”

“No. You would not. You are my city. I remember.” He rubbed the bandage over his temple. “I remember I thought Dionte would hurt me. I remember… I remember…” He pressed his knuckles against his forehead. He could not think this. This was wrong. He felt it. He smelled how wrong it was.

But his city was asking, and he must answer. That was right. That was always right.

His entire face screwed up in pain. “She… does… not… have a proper Conscience. Like I did not. She… is… she stole the Eden Project. I remember.” Both hands clenched his head now, as if to keep it from splitting apart. “But she cannot. She cannot. She’s family. She cannot do such a thing.”

“Tam, I am going to help you leave here. You have friends among the villagers, don’t you?”

“Yes,” panted Tam. The confusion and pain lessened a little. After a moment, he found he could ease his grip on his head. “But they are not my family. I should talk to my family.”

“Tam, you should leave. I am telling you, you must leave.”

“No. I do not want to leave. I do not… but you are my city.” He reeled, his shoulder thudding against her wall. “Tell me.”

“Tam, I don’t know what to do. You say Dionte stole the Eden Project.”

“Yes.” He scrabbled at the wall. Aleph was inside the wall. Aleph would help him. Aleph was helping him, but her words only confused him. “No. I don’t know.”

“Could Dionte have brought Chena Trust here?”

“Yes.” Tam’s chest loosened a little. “She could have done that. But she would only do that to help the family, because she is family.”

“She is also bringing Teal Trust back.”

The Trusts. The Trusts he had tried to keep safe. He had tried to keep them safe by keeping them away from the Alpha Complex. But that was not right. That could not be right. Except, once, it had been. Before… before he had been given a proper Conscience. Before Dionte had helped him, as a sister should help a brother.

Before Dionte…

“Aleph, is Chena Trust here?”

“No. She has run away.”

“Teal Trust?”

“She’s being brought back. Her cable car will arrive within thirty hours.”

“And Dionte will meet her?”

“I have no record, but she might.”

“Aleph, you must get me to Teal.” No, no, he could not do this. He needed his family. His family would tell him what to do. The city would tell him what to do.

But the city was telling him what to do.

“Yes. The Trusts are the future of Pandora. The future of Pandora must not be given to Dionte. Come, Tam. Walk. I will help you. But you must walk.”