It would be even more difficult to escape the city a second time. They were watching her. She could feel it as she worked in the greenhouses, as she went from place to place with her brother, as she asked for word of Ben’s progress.
The only time she didn’t sense them was when she was in bed unable to fall asleep her mind on Jared. He had changed. Not just in a physical way – the missing eye, which she’d never gotten a clear answer as to why he felt it should be removed – but it also seemed as if he wore a mask around her, as if he didn’t completely trust her anymore. That hurt almost more than the thought of his death had.
She closed her eyes. She could hear the soft pad of Snuggles’ paws as he paced around the room. Poor trapped kitty was her last thought before sleep finally pulled her under.
Niko woke up to the sound of music. For a moment she just laid there, not even realizing that she’d taken a short nap then the last of the fog was wiped away from her brain and she sat up abruptly, dislodging Snuggles who had fallen asleep on her stomach. Someone was playing the violin.
She opened her room door and stood in the hallway. There was a line of light around Ben’s door and with no one to stop or distract her this time she reached out and turned the knob.
Ben sat on the edge of the bed, his back straight and his head tilted slightly to the left as he played. She stayed in the doorway, light and sound spilling out into the rest of the hotel. It was a slow, almost somber piece and each vibration of bow against string she felt in her bones. It burrowed through her body stirring up a wealth of emotions.
With a discordant cluster of notes he stopped playing. Ben lowered the instrument. He flexed the fingers of his left hand. “I’d hoped to lure you away, like the Pied Piper of Hamlin--- but less vengeful, minus the pipe, and a more handsome version--- but it seems I’ve grown a little stiff this past week and only have got you as far as the door.”
He twisted in her direction. “You’re crying!” He exclaimed. “Granted I botched more than a few notes but I’ve seen you face worse things without shedding a tear.”
She roughly knuckled the moisture away from her cheeks. “I’m glad you’re okay. I was worried...” Her voice cracked.
He nodded then turned his attention back to the violin in his lap. Its red finish gleamed softly under the light. “So was I.”
He plucked at a few strings, teasing out short melody.
“How’s your leg.” She asked finally stepping into the room.
Ben fitted the violin back into its case before snapping the lid close over it. “I’ve been sentenced to bed rest, as if the Slithers will decide to put off killing for a week because one of us is out of commission.”
He reached down and began rolling up his pants leg. “I’ve also got this nifty little souvenir of our trip.” At the side of his calf was a ropy scar about a hand-span long. It was a darker brown than the rest of his skin and twisted like the crooked lines on a map.
“I’m so sorry.” She said, almost whispering.
He lifted his head and caught sight of her expression. “Don’t be. I wanted to go remember?” He settled back into the bed. “If I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Niko raised an eyebrow at his assertion and eventually a tiny smile emerged. “Alright, I wouldn’t repeat the helicopter crash, the infection was no fun, the wheelbarrow was less than dignified and I would have liked to have avoided certain psychotic persons. He had a weird name – Fish?”
“Phin.” She said with a slight shudder of distaste.
“Same thing.” He scoffed. It soon turned into a yawn. He instructed her to close the door and sit by his side. She did so with little of the reluctance she would have employed only two weeks ago
She sat on the chair with her legs crossed, her knees resting against both its arms. She looked around the room, it was much neater than hers and Ari’s, papers were neatly stacked and clothes were tucked out of sight. There was a painting on the wall of a house and a tree. She recognized the pattern of swirls marring its surface; it was her painting that Ben had rescued so many weeks ago. It made her smile.
“My brother’s here.” She said and Ben covered an eye with his hand one eyebrow raised questioningly. She nodded.
“Crafting any new escape plans?” He yawned, he couldn't seem to help it.
“Yes.” Without the helicopter things would be difficult but not impossible.
“Try to make it better than the first one.” He instructed his words sliding into the mumbled consonants of sleep.
Niko decided to stay by his side. She reached out for his hand, fingers and palm callused by violence and art. Soon she fell asleep as well.