Chương 122: Fork in the Road
The rain fell like it always had in Arkoska washing away the filth from the brick streets.
Tonsi stared up at a tall tower with a numbered face and three hands ticking at uneven speeds.
"Where are you," she said, standing by a statue of a woman holding a thick tome; chin raised high; standing for liberty and justice, or so they said. Those days were long gone now, she believed. "It's near five ..."
Tonsi always yearned for her independence until she was alone in the streets of Arkosa. Being washed down by the mist while darkness creeped through the city, welcoming the scum who left their day dens.
It wasn't the old city that made her nervous, it was the people who lived amongst it. Not all, but most were as cruel as the jackals that roamed the island. It didn't help that it had been turned into a prison until it was recovered by colonist armies a decade ago.
"Come on, father … you know to be on time."
She admired her father. He was one of the few who believed in the city. Even fought to reclaim it, providing the guns and writing the declarations that ceased all the arms from civilians. But that only brought new issues … stabbings were a daily passing time.
A clank came behind her —
Tonis jumped, her blonde hair unraveling down her back. She twisted at her hips to see a dark, large object pass by.
"Excuse me miss." The deputies hat was tall and rounded. He found her ice blue eyes. "You know not to be out wandering the streets at this hour … everybody is to be inside at 6 P.M. sharp."
"Then I guess I've got an hour," she pointed, "have you checked the clock?"
The man adjusted his blue, short collared coat. Mustache twitching. "I'm aware of the time. Are you aware of the curfew?" His eyes narrowed on her flesh.
Tonsi felt tingles move into her hands. "He's a—" She whispered. "A culprit."
The deputy looked around, eyeing a row of trees that concealed the park. "You best come with me."
"My father shall be here shortly—"
"I don't give a damn!" His lips sunk. "Girls like you are like candy to those who wander the night. I'll take you to the station and it can get sorted out there."
Tonsi couldn't stop him from his pursuit, she just needed to buy time. Suddenly she extended her hand, placing a palm against the man's boot. He shivered, the icy energy passing from her into him.
She blinked—
Several squares popped into view like she was staring through windows; each one a reflection of the man and her.
Tonsi eyes shifted between them: the first was the deputy slapping hard and knocking her unconscious; in the second window, she saw him force her up onto the horse and ride away into the night; and in the third, him come down from the horse, grab her hand, and pull her into the park; lastly she saw him leave at the sight of a man.
"That's it!" She said, blinking once more and pulling her hand away. That's the path I need to take.
The deputy shook his head as if warding away a spell. "What did you do?"
"Me," Tonsi shrugged, "nothing …"
He grimaced and stretched out a hand. "Come. Hop on the horse."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
The man sighed. "You have no other choice, Ms … being out here, I must assume you're a street whore."
"A whore?" Tonsi giggled. "You don't have to to assume, you already know it to be true."
The deputy wiggled his lip, "you're a little young to be a whore …"
"Doesn't mean I'm not experienced."
He looked at her floral gown, eyes throbbing. He shifted on his horse and she could sense his head was spinning. "How much are you charging?"
"I'm expensive … but since you're in uniform, I'll make it real cheap."
He laughed, pulling out his cuffs. "You can tell that to the judge—"
"That won't be necessary," Weebert said, raising a gloved hand. "This is my daughter …"
"Who's there?" The deputy squinted, "Is that you Mr. Womberwheel?"
Her father approached in a fine, black, long-tailed coat, trousers, and rounded hat. Hands against his back.
"My apologies," the man pulled the reins and turned his horse around; he kicked his heels and darted off.
Weebert kept his chin high, glaring. "Was that what you created?"
Tonsi looked at her father. He was the only one who knew about her gift; even using it to gain control of Arkoska, and ridding away the scum. But her abilities had diminished since those day, and were less predictable.
"I believe so … you didn't tell me you were running another test."
"I didn't want you to know." He looked at the clock that stared like a great eye. "I was hoping it would help your … condition."
"Condition!" Tonsi bared her teeth. "This is no condition, father … since I linked with that psycrasite my abilities have been dimensioning quicker than they were before." She shook her head. "A year ago I could touch somebody and foresee their future — now it's like looking into several windows and trying to find the right path."
"We need to figure out what's causing the problem ..."
Tonsi closed her eyes, allowing the rain to sprinkle upon her face. "Uncertainty."
"Of what?"
"I don't know …" She shook her head. "I feel like my heads been scrambled. Father, we are fighting an enemy who knows no limits."
He nodded, sweeping her into an arm "I know, dear. They gave you this gift … and now we have to use it to stop them." He drew in a long breath. "We've at least wounded them in the tournament by creating your path—"
Tonsi pulled away from him. "Did we? Was it my path or that of another's? For the first few months I was so sure … but now … now I feel as though I am walking blind."
"Foresight will do that to one's mind. It is a powerful alchemy, and if abused, can disrupt your head." He grabbed her and looked into her eyes. "Phase three is about to begin, my dear. Are you certain you're ready?"
Tonsi nodded. "I don't have a choice."
Weebert brought his lips to her head. "That's my girl."
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