Chapter 6
Her cheeks burned a bright red. "No. I'm…um…I'm a virgin…" Couldn't get an STD without having sex, after all.
"Oh shit, that don't mean nothin', sweetie. You could get an STD just from swapping bodily fluids." Stephanie laughed, shaking her head at the pink cheeks that Abigail sported. "Yeah, so… we'll take your word for it though. You don't look like the kissing type." No offense meant, Abigail just looked too virginal. After they were done with the physical exam, Stephanie noted the details down in the ledger, turning to give the other woman some privacy to redress. "Okay, Abigail, where are you from and what brings you our way?" Obviously, she was unarmed because she had gotten through the gates without them going off.
"Salny. And I'm here to…well, I left home after my Mom died. There was nothing left for me there. I'm just hoping I can find a job and start making my own way. I've been traveling from town to town, searching for a job, but so far, I've come up empty…and I'm running low on funds." Bray had given her enough money to get her started here and then her job as a servant, hopefully, would pay her way until she could go back to the castle. "I can pay for the services here, how much do I owe you for your hospitality, Stephanie?"
"Wait, what? Traveling from town to town?" Stephanie was staring at Abigail like she was out of her mind. "You do know the world is at war, right? Towns aren't exactly, um… they don't really exist." Salny was a pretty far off distance and her eyes dropped down to the scuffed white shoes, cocking an eyebrow. "How'd you manage to avoid the DOV?" Obviously, she had because Abigail didn't look battered, abused or pregnant and everyone knew what happened to women in the DOV. They were cattle, brood mothers.
Abigail had to tread carefully with what she said next, swallowing hard and clasped her hands in her lap, already redressed. "I…stayed away from them. I used the woods and shelters in various towns on my way here. Truthfully, it wasn't easy and…I didn't think I would actually make it to Wonderful. My Mom…she told me all about this place and how great it was. She told me on her deathbed to come here, that I'd be safe from the DOV." Wrapping her arms around herself, Abigail let out a shuddering breath and wiped a stray tear away from her still dirty face. "I didn't realize it until that man brought me through the gates that this was my actual destination. My Mom was right. I just hope I can…start over here and make her proud of me, somehow." In every way, she meant that with her whole heart. "I don't blame you if you don't believe me. I know it's a pretty outrageous story, huh?"
Amy's heart went out to the poor thing, hearing and feeling the sadness radiating from her and could tell Stephanie was touched as well.
"Nope, you're not special sweetie." Stephanie reassured her. "We get those stories quite a bit, well… from the ones that make it this far."
"I'll go see what's left from supper and get her a dish." Amy strolled out into the main room, which was lit up, tables and chairs everywhere as people wound down their night. "Hey, get your hand outta there, save some for others."
"Rude much, Red?"
"Eat me, Austin." Amy laughed.
"So, work huh? What kind of work?" Stephanie asked, tossing her hair over her shoulder and led the way out of the small room and into the main. "Trish, get off the table, someone cut her off."
Women could drink alcohol? Since when? Women in the DOV were not allowed to drink a drop of alcohol due to constantly getting pregnant. It wasn't good for the babies growing inside of them. Abigail watched in awe as a busty, petite blonde sauntered over to the bald-headed man Stephanie called Austin and tossed her arms around his neck, kissing him passionately. What the HELL? Public affection was allowed too? What kind of world had she stepped into? This was the polar opposite of the DOV, of Bray's world!
"I-I'm not sure…I haven't really thought about it and figured tomorrow, I would go around to the local businesses here." There were quite a few too. "See what I can find unless you have a suggestion?" Abigail had to avert her gaze from the sloppy making out couple and walked over to the table Stephanie gestured to, sitting down while the redhead set a bowl of what looked to be chili in front of her. It smelled delicious and even had cornbread to go with it. "Thank you…Amy, right?" The redhead nodded, and Abigail immediately dug in, suddenly starving.
"Hey, you said you had money, right?"
"That's rude, Steph…" Amy scowled, dropping down a large mug of milk next in front of Abigail.
"Well come on, when was the last time you saw… holy shit," Abigail had pulled out old paper money and some silver pieces. "Are you kidding me? Some people still use this?"
"Sorry sweetie, that stuff is no good here."
"It is when we're out of toilet paper…"
"Shut up, Steve. Don't you have to go check in?"
"Soon enough, Red, go get me a plate for the big guy."
"His ass still holed up in the old tower?" Amy shook her head when Steve just shrugged, pushing herself up again and disappeared back into the kitchen.
"Wait…" Now Abigail was confused, frowning as she looked from Stephanie to Amy's retreating form and then back down at the money she had. "What exactly do you use for currency around here?" She tilted her head, not understanding why they wouldn't take her money, especially silver pieces. Didn't those go for a nice chunk of change? Apparently not in Wonderful. "I'm sorry…that's all I have on me…"
She frowned, hating that Bray had given her money that was no good in this place. Abigail overheard what Amy said about the big guy being holed up in his tower. Was that the huge tower she'd seen as she passed through the gates? It had to be. That was where the Undertaker resided…and something told her he didn't leave his tower often. This was going to be a lot more difficult than she thought.
Steve was paying attention to Abigail now, bringing over his beer to sit down across from her and examined the money, feeling the thin paper between his fingers. "We use things that are necessary, honey." He raised curious blue eyes up to study her. "Money ain't good to anyone anymore, what the hell are we going to use it for? Lines for trading with other towns have been cut off systematically as the DOV grows, so we have to trade for services, or food, or medicine. Some people may want something pretty and shiny… so keep your coins."
"O-Okay, but…I don't have a way to pay for the services here…"
"No sweat honey, we have a contingency for people such as yourself." Stephanie informed her with a smile, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Abigail shook her head, refusing to be made out as a charity case and stood up from the table. "Let me…help out around here, just for tonight until my bill is paid. I can cook and clean, do dishes, whatever you need." She offered, hoping to show off some of her skills that would push her in the direction of the Undertaker. "I won't let you down. You've been kind to me and…I want to repay you for your generosity."
Steve held his hands up, not knowing what to say to that and drained the rest of his beer. "Hell, let the little lady help." He was going to tell Taker about the newcomer, his curiosity burning about her for some reason he couldn't explain. It was a…unsettling feeling being around her.
"Send her with Taker's tray, take her up." Stephanie had seen the speculating look on Steve's face, her own baby blues mirroring it.
"Good idea." Steve tapped his knuckles on the table, staring at Abigail. "You can bring a tray up, and I'll fill you in on how the town works while we walk." He had to get back to work anyway. "Red, where's that food?"
"Up your ass!" She shouted, carrying a very large, laden supper tray. "I'll spill this on you, Austin."
"Mm." He gestured to Abigail. "You wanted to be useful, honey." Steve went to the counter near the door, reaching underneath it to retrieve his guns and a large crate filled with packed meals for his boys on watch. "Let's go."
"Yes, sir." She blinked when he froze, midnight blues widening.
"Steve, honey, just Steve. We're not formal 'round here."
Abigail cracked a small smile, holding the tray perfectly still and nodded to show she understood. "Alright, Steve, lead the way."
This was it. She was about to go meet the Undertaker and could feel her heart thundering powerfully in her chest. Abigail couldn't come right out and ask for his help, that would be suicide. No, she would have to bide her time and figure out a way to get close to him without being suspicious. Bray wasn't a patient man and would expect her back in a few months, at the latest, so Abigail had to act fast, but be careful while doing it.
Steve led the way out into the town, noting residents were heading home. Vendors had long cleared and the streetlamps were on, for a little while longer, then it would be power off across Wonderland. He guided her to a stone wall, pushing through a heavy door and then started climbing the stairs. The tower, they would get to it, but he took her the long way, dropping off meals to the men on watch and gave her basic information about Wonderful. Eventually, they reached the entrance to the tower and he rang a bell, waiting patiently until the steel door opened.
Abigail soaked in as much knowledge as she could about Wonderful, not asking questions right out the gate because that would be suspicious. Hell, she didn't even care about the Mythril anyway. As far as she was concerned, Bray could stick that up his backside because she wasn't here for him. She was here for herself and to liberate the poor people, mostly women, from the DOV. When that steel door opened, Abigail came face to face with a giant, swallowing nervously as he leaned in the doorway.
"Evenin' Taker, came to bring yer food and figure you'd wanna know the latest newcomer. Say hi, honey."
Midnight blues met acidic green and she felt her breath stolen for a few seconds, pretty sure her heart also skipped a beat. "H-Hi…" It was a soft, timid tone, barely audible and somehow, she'd kept the tray perfectly still.
Acidic green was about all she could see because it was dark behind him. Snorting, he flicked on the light to reveal a pale purple, hard material mask over his eyes. His gaze moved from Steve to the woman and back to Steve.
"Her arms are trembling." He said finally, turning and gestured for them to follow.
Taker wore simple black jeans and a long-sleeved, black thermal top, his shortly cropped, auburn hair gleaming under the lights as he moved. Steve eyeballed Abigail. Taker was right, her arms were shaking pretty badly, and bowls and silverware were clattering on that heavy tray. He took it from her and turned, following after Taker.
"Why is she here, Austin?" He asked, settling himself behind an old, dark stained wooden table, papers and maps scattered around. Taker shifted things aside, making room for the tray.
"She wanted to work off a debt to Steph."
"Hm." He reached up to remove the mask.
Steve flinched because, a week ago, Taker had been out patrolling and had a skirmish with the DOV. He had taken an iron bar to his left eye, broken orbital bone. Taker wore the mask to protect it from any further damage while it healed and probably to spare people the ugly sight.
The giant spared Abigail a look, eyes raking over her, appraising her. "Who are you and why are you here?"
"My name is Abigail, Undertaker."
She remembered what Steve told her about the formality and didn't break eye contact with the giant. That would be a big mistake. No wonder Bray was afraid of him, the size of this man was incredible.
"Abigail Waters. I come from Salny."
With precision and a surprisingly steady voice, Abigail reiterated her story about being from Salny and her mother dying, not changing a single thing. That was crucial to any lie. She had learned over the past 10 years being stuck with a sociopath, after all. Since she kept her story straight with no changes, the skepticism from Steve vanished a little, though he still felt uneasy for some odd reason. Maybe it was too much beer, or those bitches had drugged him at the bar.
"I'm not looking for any trouble, I just wanted a fresh start after losing my Mom and she told me to come here for that new beginning. Unfortunately, the money she gave me is…outdated and I didn't realize it. Some other places I've been to still take silver coins and regular paper money…" Abigail took the tray from Steve with a smile and set it down on the nearby table in front of Taker. "If you don't have room for me here, I'll understand and be on my way in the morning…"
"And just where the hell are ya gonna go? The DOV?"
Her eyes hardened slightly. "No. Never." Again, she added in thought, keeping the smile on her face.
"We got plenty of room here for ya, little lady. No need to leave when yer ass is safe here, right Taker?"
"Steve has an unfortunate flaw. He trusts too easily." Taker said without emotion in his tone. "In fact, most people do when they hear a sob story like yours. It makes you seem vulnerable and sad, and people are naturally going to like you because of it."
"You're such an ass." Steve said it quietly.
"I'm honest." He had no time for sugar coating or lies; a lot of people had trusted him with their safety. "There is room, however, providing you're useful."
Everyone had to help. It was honest work, but hard on occasion. Taker never sent people out on suicide runs; he didn't demand anything he wasn't willing to do himself. Except the elderly, pregnant women and children under a certain age. The older children generally helped out with menial chores, but they also had plenty of time for education and play.
"What do you know how to do?"
It was understanding why he was cautious and a tad cold with his words, not mincing them, but Abigail admired that. He watched out for his people and did what was necessary to ensure their safety. Yes, it would take a lot of time and effort on her part to gain his trust, and then she could ask for his help, come clean to him about who she truly was. Hopefully, by then, he wouldn't rip her head off her shoulders, which looked to be very possible.
"I can cook and clean, for sure. It depends on what jobs need to be done around here. I will tell you if I'm unable to do a task assigned, if you wish?" Bray hadn't really taught her how to do those things and often berated her for helping around the castle, but Abigail felt an obligation and duty to help with their home.
"Come to me." He ordered, now surveying his food and reached for the chunk of bread Amy had sent, tearing it in two while he stared at her. "Now, Abigail." His tone clearly indicated he expected to be obeyed.
"Go on, honey. His bark is worse than his bite." Austin encouraged gently, softly.
Taker watched as Abigail slowly approached him. He had noticed when she had been carrying that tray that everything on it had shook. Her arms had been visibly trembling under the weight and what likely had been a long walk here.
"Hold out your hands." He dipped his bread into the stew, watching as she extended her arms. "Palms up."
It took Steve a moment to realize what Taker was doing and now he realized what Stephanie had been speculating on. He moved closer.
"You have never worked a day in your life…" He said quietly. "Or, if you have, it was a very, very long time ago." He traced a finger along the length of her palm. "Soft. No callouses. No scratches." His own, rough fingers ran down her palm again, feeling the very noticeable differences between them.
