Station, стр. 68

CHAPTER 21

Although Haela was quickly drawing to aclose, with the first signs of Solay becoming visible, theCelebration Cluster was still buzzing with activity, residentsstumbling from Bars giggling, not a care in the world. Hadderlooked upon them as he would a child, knowing the atrocities thatlife had in store for them. Their custom outfits no longer lookedchic and creative; they looked unnecessary, irresponsible. Theresidents skipping around, they looked like meat.

The Risers would feast upon these people.

Hadder limped forward towards the center of theCluster alone, the Caesars having parted as soon as they crossedback over the Skirt, Cal stating that they had to report back toAlbany Rott. Hadder's right leg throbbed where Skeelis's sawing hadeventually made its way through the sturdy, specially-made fabric.His adrenaline had blocked the pain until they left The Krown'scompound; now, it hurt like a bitch.

Eyes widened and followed Hadder as he slowly madehis way through the groups of revelers, a crimson apparition cometo rob them of their frivolity and innocence. Residents quicklycleared a path for Hadder, but remained a safe distance away; theywere never much for missing a show. The broken metal pipe thatHadder had picked up in the Rising on his return made anuncomfortable noise as it dragged across the stone-laid plazaground.

After what felt like a march for the ages, Hadderfinally reached The Soiree Noire. Once a place of sanctuary,a place that helped heal a broken soul, the Bar now lookedoffensive, a museum for things that didn't matter. Hadder walkedbetween residents gathered outside the Bar, slammed the jagged endof the metal pipe into the soft grass that surrounded the building,and completed his mission.

As he moved away, the screaming started. Men andwomen alike dove from the horrific sight, afraid that proximity tothe installation may haunt their dreams. Fearful that the ghastlysculpture may reanimate, roll after them in their high heels andlight-up shoes.

Hadder glanced back, admired his work. Under thebright lights of the Cluster, Skeelis had never looked better. Thefiend's eyes had rolled back into his head, just showing thewhites, and his long, forked tongue fell from his mouth to hangbelow his severed neck. Yes, Hadder thought, Skeelis had neverlooked better than with his head on a fucking stick.

A large crowd gathered, nearly everyone in theCelebration Cluster, to look upon the gruesome scene and itsblood-caked creator. Hadder recognized countless faces in thegroup, but he was worlds away, unable to pull names from the spacebetween them. A shrill voice cut through the collectivemurmuring.

"What is this? What is this?!" Monty the Modswept down on his disk of light wearing a white Victorian suit,stepping off of the magical conveyance next to Skeelis's head."Marlin Hadder, is that you? What in Station has happened to you,boy? And what is the meaning of this repulsiveness outside of myBar? This is a place of celebration, not a horror show! I'm givingyou five seconds to get rid of this repugnance, or I'm goingto…"

Hadder's right hand shattered the little man's jawbefore he could finish his idle threat. Monty crumpled to theground and remained unmoving, his face looking extra stupid with amisaligned mouth. Hadder hadn't planned on a speech, but with everyeye in the Celebration Cluster now squarely on him, he felt themoment called for one.

Hadder motioned to the spiked head. "This is thekiller of Reena Song. Look at him! Scary, isn't he? There's athousand more like him in the Rising, and they all thirst for yourblood. It's only a matter of time before they cross the Skirt. Thatmeans, my well-dressed friends, that you all have a choice to make.Do nothing. Keep partying and fatten yourselves up for theslaughter. Or prepare. Get ready for the war that is coming. Youlike your lives here? Then you're going to have to fight for them."As Hadder began to limp away, he heard a voice from the gatheredmasses.

"But I'm a pacifist," said a man in the crowd.

"Then, your head will look good next to Skeelis'sthere."

Hadder barely made it up the stairs of The RoyalJelly, his legs heavy from exertion, and his body drained ofenergy. As he entered the Bar, Royal turned quickly from his seatat the counter, his eyes red from exhaustion and worry. He rantowards Hadder, crushed him in a hug.

"I didn't think I was going to see you again, myboy. I thought you dead for sure." Royal separated, took a goodlook at Hadder. "But maybe I was right. Are you dead, Hadder?"

"Not yet. But soon, if I don't get some sleep."

"Of course, of course. You can tell me all about itwhen you wake. Let me help you."

Royal threw Hadder's arm over his shoulder andhelped the weakened man to his living quarters. When the dooropened, Hadder looked at Royal questioningly. "She took a room atCranesman. Don't let it worry you. Once she sees you're backsafe, you two will be peas in a pod once again before you know it.You want a shower?"

"No, just sleep."

Royal helped Hadder peel the crusty clothes from hisbody. "I'm gonna have these burned." Hadder simply nodded hisassent. Royal walked to the doorway, stopped just before exiting."What was it like over there? The Rising, I mean."

"Mad Max without the cool cars."

"Should we be worried?"

"Yes."

"Can we win?"

"I don't know. But we have no choice but totry."

A tingling sensation in the pit of his stomachstirred Hadder from a deep slumber. Although he was still tired,Hadder was grateful for the intrusion that saved him fromnightmares of Riser armies. As Hadder opened his eyes in thepitch-black space, he noticed something foreign on the other sideof the room - red embers as if someone was smoking two cigarettesat once. Below those crimson lights, a symbol could be seenhovering in the air, humming with power.

"Light!" Hadder shouted in a panicked tone.Illumination filled the room, and twin cigarettes were revealed tobe the eyes of Mister Albany Rott, who was resting in an armchairin the corner of the room, that jester's smile still plastered onhis too-white face.

Mister Rott began to slowly clap; no traces ofsarcasm were detected.

"Marlin.