Dath huddled near the fence wrapped in what was left of his damp blanket. His fever-stricken body shivered from the cold that swept through his bones, yet an unrelenting sweat still streamed down his flushed forehead into his infected wound. He didn’t know how he could sweat and be so cold, but he couldn’t change it. He wasn’t going to give up his blanket. It was torn, wet, and filthy, caked with dirt and blood, and stank of body odor and mildew but it was all he had left. He needed it. When they had taken his cot, he had clung to his blanket. He wouldn’t survive without it. It was all the protection he had anymore. He didn’t dwell on the fact that he wasn’t going to survive with it either. He knew he was dying. But he fought for every minute he could get. There was more noise at the intake than usual. He tried to look around with his good eye but the infection had caused it to swell up and he could barely open it. He was able to determine another ship had brought more transfers, more people with debt so high they had been forced to come here to try to find a sponsor to pay it and give them a chance to work it off. He didn’t care anymore. They would ignore him like any other pile of garbage. He had no cot to take. He could no longer earn his keep so he wasn’t being fed. No one else was desperate enough to want the blanket or his clothes. The clothes were in no better condition than his blanket. It would probably all be burned when he finally died. New arrivals meant new sponsors would be coming over the next few days. That was nothing to him. After three years in the intake, he’d given up hope of being sponsored long before the attack that was slowly leading to his death. Now, he couldn’t work, couldn’t stand, couldn’t see. No one would take on the debt of someone who had no chance of working it off. Unpaid debts and impending death reduced his value to nil. Nothing mattered. His existence was merely a countdown that was rapidly approaching zero. It was a matter of a few days perhaps, before his demise. He would be forgotten. He let his head droop and he drifted off hoping they wouldn’t assume he was dead and burn his body without bothering to check. He didn’t sleep long. He never did anymore. He was too cold and in too much pain. He probably wouldn’t sleep at all but he was too weak to stay awake. The sweat was burning the wound where his eye had once been and even into his good eye. How could he be sweating? He was so cold and parched. He couldn’t pay so no one brought him any water so he had to do it himself. He managed to get a little each day, but just enough to prolong the inevitable. Maybe he could clean off the sweat when he got a drink. He dragged himself to the water pump and tried to leverage himself up so he could work it. He no longer had the strength. He lost his balance and his hands went down into the mud that surrounded the pump. Feeling around, he found a puddle. He scooped up what he could and raised it to his dry cracked lips. His hand was pulled away before he could drink. “My right,” he claimed. A cup was put to his lips instead. He pulled away, ducking his head. “Can’t pay, can’t pay,” he insisted. “It’s free, no pay. A gift,” a man said. Free? Gift? Those words no longer had meaning for Dath. In the harsh world of the intake, No one did anything for free. Gifts meant a deferred payment demanded later or a beating if he was unable to settle the debt. “Drink,” the man insisted gently, his voice laced with an unusual concern. “It’s free.” Dath allowed the man to help him drink the water. He was foolish to think Dath would live long enough to repay the effort. Dath looked up to see who he was but couldn’t focus. He could barely open his eye. He saw little more than a silhouette of a man thin enough that he could have been another transfer. Behind him was a woman but Dath couldn’t see more. He dropped his head and lay down heedless of the mud, worn out from the effort. The man and woman talked a moment, arguing perhaps. Then they fell silent. Dath worked to try to gather the strength to move back near the fence before one of the guards kicked him over there. He managed a few inches. Hands dragged him further. “I’m going,” he claimed. “I just was trying to get you out of the mud,” a woman’s voice assured him. She tried to wipe his face. He recoiled from her touch. “Can’t pay.” He warded off her hands weakly. Unperturbed by his protest, her response was steady, “I’m not asking for payment.” “Everything costs. Learn now. Everything here costs.” She gave up on trying to wipe his face. He wouldn’t let her. Another beating would kill him that much faster. She stayed by him in silence as he rested. Then someone reached under his shoulders to bring him to a sitting position. Someone picked him up. “Can’t pay,” he insisted. “Don’t worry about it,” the man who had given him the water said. “Can’t pay,” Dath repeated. What did the man want from him? The stranger’s response was gentle but firm. “Hush. There’s no paying now.” He was carried towards the fence, but not where he usually stayed. They were heading to the entrance. The guards were going to beat him. They didn’t want him sleeping by the entrance. He didn’t have the strength to fight it. The man probably wouldn’t listen. They continued through the entrance into the city where Dath had lived for the last three years but had never seen except through the fence. “No,” Dath protested. “It’s okay,” the man assured him. “I bought your debt. We’re your sponsors.” The word ‘sponsors’ hung heavy in the cold night. The idea of anyone sponsoring a wretch like him was bewildering. Why would anyone do such an unthinkable act? Who in their right mind would sponsor someone who would only live days? “Are you sure you want him in there?” Whoever was carrying him asked. “The man’s filthy.” “What else are we going to do? Strap him to the roof? The seats can be cleaned,” his sponsor said. Dath was placed in an auto. They tried to take his blanket. He clung to it. “Earned,” he claimed. “Let him keep it for now,” the woman said. “It makes him feel better.” “Whatever,” the man who had carried him said. Exhausted, Dath slumped against the window as he was strapped in. The couple got into the front seats. He drifted off as they drove away without even enough energy to wonder who these two were or worry about what they planned to do with him. *** Upon emerging from the depths of unconsciousness, Dath found himself lying on a soft and cushy surface, most likely a bed with a plush pillow. He was warm and dry. He had a vague memory of being lifted from the auto and laid on something. He’d drifted off before he knew what was happening. the smell so clean and sterile it was almost biting, sharply contrasting the raw, crude odors of his recent living conditions. He couldn’t open his eye. Something was covering them both. A touch told him it wasn’t the strips of his blanket he’d used to bandage himself when he’d first been injured. The material seamlessly covered his eyes, devoid of the rough, uneven texture of torn fabric strips, indicating yet another shift from his previous state of hardship. The voice of his sponsor interrupted the silence. “He’s awake,” he said, his tone serious. “I’ll call you back later.” Another voice, belonging to a different man, could be heard on the line. “Tomorrow’s fine if needed. We’ll get this straightened out once you talk with him.” After a few seconds of silence, the first man spoke again. “How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice low and concerned. Dath hesitated making sure he wasn’t talking to someone else. “You’re a fool. Why pay so much for a blind man who won’t live another week?” “You’ll live longer than that. The doctors are hopeful. And you’ll see again. Your right eye is lost, but your left should be fine once the infection is gone. They want it covered until then but you’re responding well to the medication. Once you’re strong enough, we’ll see about a replacement eye for the one you lost.” “And double my debt?” The man quickly reassured him. “They don’t cost that much. And I know Yol Mor. I can get a discount,” he said confidently. Dath scoffed, not quite convinced by the offer. But the man continued, “We grew up together. My name’s Kelfin. What’s yours?” “Dath.” “My companion, the woman you wouldn’t let help you, is Marza.” “I can’t afford help. If I could pay for anything it would have been food, or maybe a new bandage.” “What do you mean?” Kelfin pressed. “I’m indebted. I have no money. I’ve been too sick to earn my keep.” “The intake was making you work for food and supplies?” Kelfin asked in surprise. “They aren’t a charity.” He’d been told that so many times. “Tell me what happened. How did you end up there?” Dath obliged. He had been a hacker. He’d been hired by a corporation to hack into conglomerates to steal trade secrets. It was a gray area in the law. Had he been caught, he wouldn’t have gotten arrested just fired and blacklisted from any other hacker jobs. He would have had to get a public aid placement for work. But he was good and didn’t get caught. He got framed. The man who’d hired him had been embezzling from the company and set it up to look like Dath had done it. The police had believed that since Dath was willing to do something like hacking, it wasn’t much of a reach to believe he’d steal money too. The corporation didn’t want the scandal so they made arrangements for him to become a transfer and he could work off the amount he’d supposedly stolen. At the intake, he’d angered one of the guards who decided to keep him from getting sponsored in revenge. The first year wasn’t bad. He’d still had hope he’d get a sponsor. He did the work he was assigned to earn his keep. In the second year, overcrowding dictated that those who had been there for two years had to sleep outside. He could still use the showers and facilities. Jobs were worse, but if he wanted to eat, a cot to sleep on, or anything else, he had to do them. They tried to find reasons to stay inside when the weather was bad. In the third year, they were no longer allowed in the shelter for any reason. They had to use a latrine and any washing up they did was at the pump. During the heat wave, Dath was tasked with emptying the latrine. The pump was broken so he had to do it by and with a shovel and bucket. He’d stopped for a rest and some water when a guard saw him and said he was slacking off and hit him with the edge of the shovel right in the face. The guard had then refused to allow any medical treatment. Dath had done what he could to bandage it with part of his blanket. It got infected and he grew sicker. Because he wasn’t able to work, he’d lost his meal, cot, cup for the pump, and everything but the blanket he wouldn’t let go of. Someone had entered during his narration. “Well, the blanket and your clothes are being burned. But you don’t have to worry about that. We’ll get you more,” a woman said. It sounded like the woman at the camp so Dath assumed it was Marza. Dath sat letting it all sink in. “How am I going to pay for it?” he asked, the medical bills would add to his already overwhelming debt. Kelfin, who had bought his debt, tried to reassure him. “Once you’re up and about, we’ll find something,” he said. But Dath was skeptical. “You don’t have a job for me?” he asked, feeling like he was a burden. “Then why did you buy my debt?” Kelfin hesitated for a moment before answering. “Honestly? I felt sorry for you,” he admitted. “I saw you sitting by the fence when we entered. We were there picking up some kids for Mor’s conglomerate. As we were dealing with the paperwork, I watched you make your way to the pump for some water. Then you couldn’t even get it working and settled for the mud puddle. I had to help. When you tried to refuse, I knew you’d been there too long.” Marza chimed in. “Kelfin’s emotions often get the better of him,” she explained. “But I agreed with him this time. After hearing your story, we need to contact one of the lawyers at Mor’s. What they did was illegal.” Dath felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe things would work out after all. “I already talked to Mus,” Kelfin assured her. “And I recorded Dath’s story and will send it to him. Yol was there and heard the call. He was unhappy. He’s worried it’ll affect the kids.” “Was it that horrendous when you were there?” Marza asked. Kelfin didn’t hesitate before responding, “The entirety of the journey was the stuff of nightmares. but I wasn’t at the intake long enough to see how they treated the adults.” Dath’s surprise evident in his tone, “You mean you were one of the in-debt ones as well?” “I was a child transfer. My parents didn’t want me,” Kelfin confessed, his voice betraying no emotion. “Do you have any family in Marstat?” Marza asked, her voice soft, yet insistent. “We can contact them.” Dath shook his head. “My parents died when I was twelve. I managed to keep out of the camp then by learning to hack and falsify the records. I did okay for a few years until I decided to get honest work.” “How old are you?” Kelfin asked, concerned. Dath shrugged. “Twenty, twenty-one. I’m not sure of the date anymore.” Kelfin frowned. “You’re only twenty-one at the most? And you were there three years? You were only seventeen when you were arrested?” Dath nodded. “You shouldn’t have even been there. You should have been with the kids,” Kelfin insisted. Dath scoffed. “And that would have helped?” “You would have been placed with one of the conglomerates. Being sent here, you would have probably gone to Mor’s. There are strict laws about child transfers. They can’t go to just anyone. It’s either a lengthy background check or a conglomeration work program which is closely monitored.” Dath shook his head. “I’d messed too much with my records. They couldn’t tell how old I was.” “Well, don’t worry about that now. You aren’t there anymore and we aren’t going to ask you to do that,” Kelfin assured him. “Get some rest. We’ll take care of everything,” Marza assured him. Dath nodded and shifted to a more comfortable position. His eyes were already closed. *** Kelfin and Marza waited until Dath had fallen asleep before leaving. On their way to the transport, Marza asked Kelfin, “What are you going to do with him?” Kelfin shrugged and replied, “I don’t know. But I couldn’t just leave him there. No one deserves to be treated like that.” Marza nodded in agreement and asked, “I know. What will Froll say?” “The debt isn’t that high; we can afford it. There’s still enough money for your chip,” he said, trying to reassure her. “Don’t start. I don’t want it,” Marza replied, feeling frustrated. “I’m not starting anything. If I were, I wouldn’t suggest spending the money on something else,” he reassured her, hoping to ease her worries. “If you weren’t starting anything, you wouldn’t bring it up again. I want to live a normal life. I always dreamed of growing old with someone. I can’t do that if I don’t age,” Marza explained, her voice trembling with emotion. “I had that option taken away from me long ago. Marza, I love you, and I dread watching you grow old, but I will never force what was forced on me,” he said, his eyes filled with sadness. “I worry about you when I’m gone, but I can’t bring myself to agree to be chipped,” Marza admitted, her concern evident on her face. “It’s okay. And I’ll be okay too, though I will miss you terribly.” “Dath seems calm. Maybe he can be your next companion.” Kelfin frowned. “Yeah, because it always goes over so well with me hanging on the arm of a straight guy.” “Is he straight?” Marza asked. “I don’t know. I don’t even know if he’d make a good companion or if I can handle him coming home with us. I may have to set him up at Mor’s.” “Maybe he can work on our security setup,” Marza suggested. “It wouldn’t last the debt, but it’s a start. We’ll see what he can do once he’s recovered.” *** Dath felt for the bedtable and the cup of water on it. He’d learned he wasn’t in the public aid hospital but in a private room at one owned by Mor’s Conglomerate. That meant two things. He was getting better care and he was building a bigger medical bill. Kelfin said not to worry about the bill. He couldn’t figure out how he was supposed to do that. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been there, several days at least. They treated him well and helped him with everything until he showed he could do it himself. The daytime nurse always sounded like she had a smile. The nighttime one was friendly enough but was quiet so he didn’t disturb people’s sleep. He heard the daytime nurse enter. “How are you feeling this morning?” She asked as always. “Warm and dry,” had become his standard answer. She wouldn’t accept “fine”. She wanted him to give an honest evaluation. If there was a problem, he told her, but the first day, he didn’t know what to say when she rejected fine, so he said the first thing that came into his head. He was no longer damp or having chills so he said he was warm and dry, what more could he ask for? That answer had surprised her and she liked it so as long as it was the truth, he told her. “Good. Are you up for visitors? Kelfin brought an army.” She put something on his arm that would check his vitals. Dath frowned. “Soldiers?” “No, just a crowd,” she clarified. “Oh, sorry.” She patted his hand. “Don’t be,” she assured him. “With all that’s been happening in your life lately, it’s only natural to get confused.” He thought a moment. “I guess I can handle them. I don’t have much choice, do I? I answer to him.” She gave his hand a determined squeeze. Her voice took on a decisive authority as they both sat in the relative sanctuary of his recovery room. “Out there, you do. In this room, he answers to me. If you’re not up to so many, they won’t be coming in,” she insisted. A sigh escaped his lips. “I can try it.” “Keep your call button handy. Call me if they get too much. Now, drink this.” She put a cup in his hand and he took a sip. It was a protein drink to help him gain strength. There once had been a time when he wouldn’t have liked it and would have been reluctant to drink it. But almost starving to death changed that. Taste didn’t matter. He ate everything without complaint. It was food, something he’d been denied for too long. “Good. Breakfast will be along soon. Don’t let your company keep you from eating.” “I won’t,” Dath promised. “All your vitals look good. I’m no doctor, but based on experience, when you have this record of vitals, it usually means the infection’s gone. Once that’s the case, you can start therapy and build up your muscles.” She removed the thing from his arm. “I’ll talk with the doctor. And I’ll let Kelfin know you’re up for a short visit.” She emphasized short. “Thanks.” Moments later, people entered. Since he was unable to see Dath listened as they came in. He couldn’t tell how many by their footsteps. The nurse had said Kelfin was one. He never came without Marza. But the others were a mystery. Kelfin’s voice cut through his concentration. “Good morning, Dath, you’re looking better,” he said. His voice often had a touch of strain to it. Dath assumed he didn’t like hospitals. Dath scoffed lightly. “How can you tell? Most of my face is covered.” “I don’t know. Something tells me you’re doing well today. Marza’s here, of course. And also, Satil, Froll, and Mos,” Kelfin explained. “Mos is a lawyer for Mor’s he’s looking into the intake and what they did to you.” “It’s good to meet you,” someone said, maybe Mos. His tone was business-like yet not devoid of empathy, “I’m working with Froll, Kelfin’s financial advisor, on your debt. We’re the possibility of having the intake cover the hospital expenses since it’s a direct result of an injury caused by an employee. And we’re auditing your debt record to investigate if they added anything, such as food or use of the showers. Then we may sue them for their treatment of you.” “Sue? I’m not that important,” Dath protested. “If this has happened to you, it probably has happened to others,” Kelfin pointed out. “Once Mos and I are through, they won’t mistreat anyone for a long time,” Froll assured him. Mos’s voice was a mix of compassion and steel. “If for no other reason than the unwarranted loss of your eye, Dath. There is no justification for the atrocity they’ve committed against you. I’ve consulted with the doctors. You’re lucky to be alive, not just because Kelfin got you help, but even surviving as long as you did is unexpected.” “Lucky me.” But he didn’t feel lucky. He might still be alive, but what kind of life was he facing? It was likely more of what he’d been through, maybe not the abuse, but the grueling thankless drudgery he’d come to know so well over the last three years. And with such a debt, how many more years would he have to work to pay it off? It could last a lifetime. I promise you, Dath, things will get better.” Kelfin assured. “We’re currently brainstorming some strategies on how you could efficiently work off your debt.” Before Dath could respond, a new voice chimed in. “I’m Satil,” the voice said, with a tone that invoked a sense of amicability. “I am Kelfin’s butler and the one who runs his household. You and I will need to meet in person and establish a comprehensive work plan, but I assure you, we’ll find suitable jobs for you right here.” Upon hearing Satil a glimmer of hope ignited in Dath’s heart. Satil continued, “We are particularly interested in your expertise to help strengthen our security system. We believe you can help us update our current system, make it much more robust, and possibly prevent attempts similar to the hacking activities you were involved in the past. “And Mr. Mor has thought about consulting you to assist with our headquarters’ security. If commuting to town each day becomes overwhelming, we can provide a bed in the children’s dorm. There’s a separate section for those who age out while they make the transition to other departments. And it’s covered under required room and board so it won’t add to your debt.” “I can help with that if I haven’t lost my sight,” Dath agreed. He could probably assist with parts even if he couldn’t see using audio aids or someone to read the screen. “But what do you mean the trip into town?” “Kelfin lives about ten miles outside of town. His staff lives there too,” Satil explained. “We’re already setting up your rooms, getting everything ready for your stay.” “Rooms?” Dath asked. Before anyone could answer, the door opened, announcing the arrival of someone. The air filled with the familiar aroma of breakfast being delivered. “You have quite a group today,” She observed as she set out his food. “I should have brought more food. You all let him eat this. He needs to eat well if he wants to gain any weight.” Satil reassured her, “Don’t worry. He’s almost as thin as Kelfin, so we’ll make sure he eats enough.” Kelfin muttered, “I’m not that bad.” Marza asked Dath, “Do you need any help?” Dath replied, “I think I can manage.” He was slowly learning to use silverware without the ability to see the food he was attempting to cut or stab. “We’re still looking into your debt and what was added that shouldn’t be, so I don’t have an exact amount of what you owe,” Froll said. “But based on what Kelfin paid and what you’ll earn, you should be out of debt in eight to ten years. We can go over some investments that can help you reduce that time.” “Invest what?” “We all get a spending allowance to use however we want. It’s a set amount each week to help defer the costs of living so far from town and other things we might need to do. Anything we don’t spend that we invest. You’ll be able to do the same.” Dath turned his head to where Kelfin’s voice was coming. “You don’t mind?” “It was my idea they do it,” he admitted. “I said he should just give everyone a raise,” Marza claimed. “Make things easier on Froll.” “It’s not that much more work,” Froll assured her. “And this helps any indebted he sponsors since they have earning limits.” “What about the hospital bill?” Dath asked. “Won’t that add a lot to my debt?” “I keep telling you not to worry about that,” Kelfin insisted. “Part of the lawsuit is it get the intake to pay for your medical bills,” Froll explained. “Even if they aren’t found guilty of anything else, and claim it was an accident, they did nothing to get you medical attention. They are responsible for the condition you’re in.” This made him feel a little better as he might not be gaining more debt. And if he could pay off his debt in ten years, Kelfin paid his staff well. He wondered how big of a staff he had. “Why don’t we let Dath finish his breakfast and get some rest,” Kelfin suggested. That sounded good. He still tired easily. *** Dath sat anxiously, his every muscle buzzing with nervous energy. Today was the day. The doctor was arriving to remove his bandages, which had been meticulously replaced with fresh ones by the nurses. But he’d been required to keep his eye closed. Now, they would check to make sure he could see properly out of the eye he had left. His vision had been failing. What if it had been too far gone? He’d been adjusting to not being able to see for some things, but could he do the job Kelfin planned for him? “Good afternoon,” The doctor said. “Are we ready to see?” He had a habit of using ‘we’ when discussing Dath’s injury. “A bit anxious,” Dath admitted. “That’s understandable. Mos and Nev are here. I believe you met Mos. He’s your lawyer. Nev is the lawyer for the intake. With your permission, they would like to witness the removal of the bandages and understand the extent of your injuries.” “If we have pictures, we won’t need to remove any bandages when you testify. It’s more sanitary here,” Mos explained. “Nev is here to serve as witness that the images aren’t tampered with.” “Does that mean I won’t have to testify?” Dath wondered aloud. “You will. Depending on the timetable and your health progress, it may be done via video from here. Contrary to how it might appear at some of the camps, Debtors Relocation Services is genuinely concerned about its clients’ welfare,” Nev assured him. Debtors Relocation Services was a chief agency that managed and supervised the relocation of those mired in debt, from the overcrowded capital city to growing cities still needing workers. They were the ones creditors resorted to when they had exhausted all other attempts at collection of funds, and they were responsible for making certain that people like Dath didn’t endure any maltreatment. Despite three years of residence at the camp, Dath had yet to spot any indications of a scheduled inspection. Dath offered a reluctant nod. “They can watch.” As was his routine during the bandage change, he closed his eye tightly. But when the doctor took off the last bit of gauze from his good eye, he inadvertently fluttered his eyelids a few times. His vision was still hazy, yet he managed to discern one man’s grimace before shutting his eye again. “You can open it if you want,” the doctor encouraged softly. “Once we’re finished, you’ll need to open it anyway.” Dath obeyed, opening his eye slowly once the last of the bandages came off. He noticed the man in front of him recoil momentarily before regaining a professional composure. His gaze wandered towards the corner where the other man had been capturing every minute detail of the first’s reaction on his camera. He then focused the lens on Dath. “You’re lucky your skull is intact,” he asserted, his voice a notch above a whisper. “Ease up, Mos,” Nev exhorted tersely. “My comments will be edited out,” Mos responded swiftly, his eyes never leaving the camera. “Let me check your eye,” the doctor requested. Dath turned to him. The doctor checked his eye. “It looks good. How do you see?” “Not bad. Things are a little blurry.” “That’s to be expected. Your eye needs some time to adjust. If there’s no improvement, or if you feel dizzy, let us know immediately. We’ll recheck your sight in a few days.” Dath reached for the mirror that the nurse had brought in. Taking a deep breath, he studied his injury for the first time. A jagged wound stretched from the middle of his forehead, traversed across his right eye, descending past his cheekbone. It was a remorseful sight, a terrifying scar in the making. “I’m afraid, we can’t help that,” the doctor said. “We could try some reconstructive surgeries to reduce the severity, but given its severity, you’ll always have a scar. If it had gotten treatment right away, we might have been able to do something.” He glanced at Nev as if accusing him of negligence. Careful not to miss this hint, Mos probed, “Will you testify to that?” “I’ll testify if asked,” the doctor affirmed, serious as ever. “I’ll provide an honest statement.” He applied fresh bandages to the wound with surgical precision. Once alone in the room, Dath confided in Mos about the suspicious absence of inspections during his entire stay at the camp. Mos diligently noted this vital revelation and promised to delve deeper into it during their next meeting. *** Dath watched the city that had become his home race by. It was the first time he’d seen it. He had been looking around trying to see everything but that was making him dizzy. He hadn’t had that problem other times he’d rode in autos. Was it just him trying to see everything? Was it his change in depth perception? Was it the speed that Kelfin was driving? Relieved from the hospital, Dath was now en route to Kelfin’s residence. The lawsuit against the intake camp was now in deliberation, a painstaking process that could take ample time, as he was repeatedly informed. “Kelly, you’re going too fast,” Marza warned. “I’m sure Dath doesn’t want to end up back in the hospital.” “I’m fine,” Kelfin assured her. It almost seemed like he’d sped up more. “Kel, slow down,” Marza insisted. “I drive this fast all the time,” Kelfin assured her. Dath wondered about that. He was slipping past other cars with ease. “Kelfin!” Marza cried. Sirens sounded behind them. Kelfin swore. Marza backhanded him and muttered, “I told you.” Dath pressed into his seat. He’d been hiding from the police since his parents had died. He’d been arrested the one time he hadn’t hidden. It had almost killed him. Kelfin glanced at him. “You’re fine. You weren’t driving.” He pulled over and opened the window. The officer approached. “Kelfin, what have I told you about speeding in town?” Dath wondered at the officer recognizing Kelfin without needing to see his license. “I’m still in town?” Kelfin asked, feigning surprise. “For another two miles.” “Did they move the boundaries again? I’m going to end up living in town if this keeps up.” “The city limit hasn’t changed in over a hundred years. Your license?” Kelfin sighed and handed it over. traffic officer meticulously ran the driver’s license under his portable scanner and grunted as he read the record. “Kelfin, this is your eighth time in the last year. You know what that means?” He slipped the license into the confiscation slot on the scanner. Kelfin sighed, more weary than shocked. “Again?” Cracking a grim smile, the officer fired back, “If you don’t like it, stop speeding.” “How are we going to get home?” Kelfin appealed to the man’s compassion. “We won’t be able to get a driver for hours assuming we can get one before tomorrow.” The officer frowned. “Marza, you haven’t learned yet?” “I’m working on it. I can’t say he’s a great teacher,” she claimed, her voice full of mockery. The officer looked at Dath, a quiet figure huddled in the corner of the backseat. “How about you? You drive?” Dath shook his head in response, doing little to mask the fact that he had been unwell. Observing his pallor, the officer inquired, “Are you okay?” “He’s been sick,” Kelfin explained. “He just got out of the hospital.” In light of this new information, the officer blew out a resigned sigh. “He can’t walk all the way to your place. Straight home and nowhere else. And keep it under the speed limit. I’m going to follow you to the edge of town and if you even approach the limit, I’m going to arrest you.” Kelfin nodded. Slowly he pulled back into traffic. He waited for the officer to follow. “Marza, it’s not a big deal.” “Yes, it is,” Marza insisted. “How are we going to get to work tomorrow?” “We aren’t going in tomorrow. I put it off a day. And I’ll call for a driver.” Dath turned and looked at the officer following them and he looked ahead. “Dath, relax. I’m keeping it slow. No one’s going to get arrested,” Kelfin assured him. Marza glanced with a frown at Kelfin and then turned around to look at Dath. “It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong. You won’t be held responsible for what he does. And we won’t walk home. Corish can bring Froll in the two-seater. Froll can drive us while Corish returns in the two-seater. It’s just neither like the two-seater.” “You won’t have to worry about that. I’ll get us home,” Kelfin promised. “But you both need to calm down.” Dath retreated further into the protective confines of his seat, hunching his shoulders. He looked out of the window as they sped away from the noise and color of the city, quietly observing as the urban tapestry of skyscrapers and bustling crowds gradually faded. There was a gradual transition from city space to suburban sprawl, the buildings scattering and growing thinner until there were miles and miles of pastoral landscapes with no signs of civilization in sight. Kelfin and Marza sparingly broke the engulfing silence, their voices drifting to the backseat every once in a while. However, their conversations were brief and sporadic, and mostly the journey felt like an extended pause suspended in the lap of the relentless road. Then, the car began to decelerate. Kelfin’s hand moved to the turn signal, and the car peeled off the road to a narrow driveway. At that moment, Dath couldn’t discern the outline of a house. It was as if they were driving towards an unknown destination. But as the car climbed and crested a gently sloping hill, a magnificent sight appeared. Hidden behind the hill was a colossal house, more like a mansion than a simple home. Its voluminous structure towered grandly in the distance. Dath’s dark eyes widened in surprised wonder as he took in the spectacle. He could only manage to stare, captivated by the edifice’s grandeur that was gradually coming into full view before them. “Come on,” Kelfin urged, sliding out from behind the wheel. His voice rose in the silence, echoing slightly off the grandeur of their surroundings. Marza, on the other hand, responded in a gentle, scolding tone, “Give him a moment.” She glanced back at Dath, who was still in the vehicle, his eyes wide and filled with disbelief. “He probably needs to recover after your reckless driving.” The last part came out jokingly, yet it held a layer of seriousness. After a few moments, Dath finally managed to gather his wits and he hesitantly emerged from the comfort of the car. His gaze remained fixated on the towering architectural masterpiece standing before them. A house that was rather a mansion, boldly displaying its owner’s wealth. Anyone who could afford to buy someone’s debt on a whim obviously had immense resources. Nevertheless, to see it flaunted in such a manner was a bit staggering. Marza, noticing his immobilization, stretched out her hand to him. With a gentle and assuring squeeze, she coaxed, “Come on.” She walked by his side, guiding him towards the entrance of the elaborate mansion. Her supportive demeanor was a comforting presence amidst the awe-inspiring extravagance. Across from them, Kelfin watched in silence, a frown etched onto his face. His gaze flickered back and forth between Dath and Marza. Her closeness to him and supportive attentiveness were beginning to awaken questions within Dath. Dath reflected upon their relationship, which he had always found somewhat mysterious. Kelfin had once casually mentioned Marza as his ‘companion’, a term vague enough to ignite curiosity. She was always there at his side, during his hospital visits and even in court. More than just her presence, it was the attention and worry evident in her eyes that provoked Dath’s curiosity. So he wondered, what truly was her role? Was she simply a dutiful employee adhering to her job description or was their bond more intimate? Were they possibly, a couple As they crossed the threshold, a figure stepped into their path. Dath recognized the smooth tone belonging to Satil as he queried, “Did everything go okay?” “No,” Marza responded with a note of frustration in her voice. Pulling away from Dath, she briskly moved into one of the adjoining rooms, leaving the trio in the main hallway. “What happened?” Prodded Satil, silently signaling Dath to trail after him. Kelfin, the last in line, shuffled along, following their lead. Once inside the room, they found Marza seated at a sturdy, ornate desk, hunched in deep contemplation. Kelfin opted to make himself comfortable on the plush couch. Kelfin, attempting to shake off the weightiness of the situation, instructed, “Satil, would you be so kind as to show Dath to his quarters? Oh, and while you’re at it, tell Corish I need a cup of tea.” Satil’s heavy frown was etched with worry, not judgment. Marza chimed in, “And Satil, while you’re running errands, secure us a transport service, will you?” In response to Satil’s bemused question asking whether Kelfin had lost his license again, Kelfin could only respond with a sheepish nod. “How long this time?” Satil pressed, raising an eyebrow. Vaguely and in seeming frustration, Kelfin replied, “He didn’t say.” “Perhaps it would be wise to clarify the specific duration with them before we hire a driver,” Marza suggested, her tone mild but apprehensive. Satil, looking pointedly at Dath, countered, “I believe you’ve already secured a driver.” Dath blinked in surprise. “Me?” He squeaked out. Marza swiveled around in her chair to face him, while Kelfin propped himself up on his elbows to get a better look at him. As if in dismissal of the notion, Dath protested, “I can’t drive.” “Not to worry, Dath. Kelly can teach you,” Marza assured him. “I don’t know about this.” Kelfin hummed in uncertainty while stroking his chin thoughtfully. Satil, however, was undeterred. “Kelfin, you still have your motorcycle and the two-seater that you often like to take for drives in the outskirts of the town,” he pointed out. “Moreover, we won’t strand Marza out here. And consider the logistics, how is Corish going to manage the grocery shopping? Hurmis also needs to winterize the gardens.” “I can’t think until I have my tea,” Kelfin insisted categorically, reclining again on the couch. Satil gave a courteous nod of the head, signaling for Dath to follow him. They ventured through the expansive mansion, traversing its luxurious halls before finally gravitating toward the aromatic heart of the home: the kitchen. Standing amidst a myriad of seasoned pots and pans was Corish, the household cook. Satil formally introduced the two men, “Dath, meet Corish, the cook. If you have any dietary restrictions or specific foods you can’t tolerate, please inform him without hesitation.” Dath looked briefly at Corish, but quickly shook his head to dismiss the thought. “There’s no problem,” he assured. His voice was firm, expressing no doubt or hint of any dietary inconveniences. “I’ve already been in touch with your healthcare providers at the hospital,” Corish assured them. “I’m fully aware of the specific nutritional care you need to continue recovering and regain your strength. I might propose the same plan for Kelly too.” Salit’s lips pursed. “That is, of course, if he eats it. The stubborn man is currently in the front parlor and asked for tea.” Corish grunted, barely looking up from his diligent food preparation activities, seemingly preoccupied and perhaps mildly annoyed at the prospect of breaking his workflow. Recognizing the need to put things into perspective for Corish, Satil clarified, “He specifically asked for it.” Corish immediately looked up from his chopping board, appearing genuinely surprised. “He did?” “Twice,” Satil emphasized. Pulling himself together, Corish replied, “Very well, I’ll get a kettle on.” He got up, abandoning the delicacies he’d been preparing, and moved to fetch a tea kettle from a nearby shelf. Satil, once again motioned for Dath to follow him out of the kitchen just as the whistle of the kettle began to echo gently. “Kelly doesn’t generally appreciate tea. It’s always a struggle to convince him to even take a sip. He doesn’t do well in the city. Without Marza, he couldn’t handle it at all. He seldom goes in. But, because of unavoidable court proceedings and your hospital stay, he’s been forced to frequent more than usual. Today was particularly exhausting, more so than usual. It’s taken its toll. In such times, when he requests tea, it’s not to be taken lightly.” Satil, the butler, opened a door. “These are your rooms.” “Rooms?” Dath asked looking around. “A bedroom, guest room, and sitting room. The bathroom is two doors down. You’ll share with Hurmis. Since you don’t have anything, we each went through our clothes and gave you a few things. None will fit you well but it’s something until we can get you shopping.” Dath’s guard went up at the gesture. What did they want in return? “Not everyone is like those at the intake. We do things for each other out of kindness,” Satil explained. “We’re a team. We work together. And we help each other. You’re going to need to control your emotions better if you’re going to be here. Kelly needs calm.” Dath worked to do that. “Maybe stay on this side of the house until he’s had a rest. Maybe you need one too. Kelly’s driving is enough to whiten hair. Tomorrow, I’ll show you around and you can take a look at the house network. Maybe you can come up with some ideas. Then we’ll look into driving lessons. He’ll agree with you being a driver. Marza is good at convincing him of what’s needed.” “Is she an employee or his lover?” Dath asked. “She’s his companion. They’re always together. She helps when he has to go into town or has anxiety. And yes, they sleep together. She had been just an employee but Kelly fell in love with her and she’s become so much more for him. *** Dath finally received word of the court’s decision. His debt was eliminated except for the cost of one transport fair from Marstat and they had to pay the hospital bill. They wouldn’t pay for a new eye but Kelfin decided he needed two if he was going to be a chauffeur and paid for it as a business expense. He’d talked to the owner of Mor’s conglomerate and got him the best replacement eye they had. Dath had paid off his debt quickly. He stayed on as Kelfin’s driver and worked on network security. He also acted as Kelfin’s bodyguard. He still dreamed he was back in the camp and he avoided looking at the scar, but things turned out well for him so he didn’t complain. The image is a modified Pixabay image Special thanks to Wolfenshire who advised me in writing both the story and finding the image