She really was quite pretty, he realized. Maybe he could… Then he laughed to himself. He was getting too greedy, now. He’d already taken enough from these two little birds. Better to let them go.
“Here are the access codes,” the little one said, pressing a piece of paper into his hands.
“I’ll find you if they don’t work,” Karinvass said, although he wasn’t concerned. He was sure it had never occurred to them to double-cross him. They were too innocent.
They left the store quickly, turning out into the main corridor and out of Karinvass’ sight. Calindra station wasn’t really that large of an outpost, he reflected, if you knew the right people. If he changed his mind and wanted to find them again, he would be able to.
Deciding he had worked enough for one day, Karinvass left the store–locking it carefully, as always–and headed across the wide corridor. The station’s open gallery rose four stories above him, stretching as far as the eye could see. Either side of the gallery was lined with shops. Up two levels was his favorite drinking house, where the bakrah was cheap and the women were friendly. It was time to celebrate his newfound wealth, he thought with satisfaction. It had been a most profitable morning.
* * * * *
“Calla, I don’t trust that man,” Sarai said, looking at her friend anxiously. They were walking quickly along the wide boulevard that was the station’s center of commerce. Earlier that day, Sarai had watched all the activity around them with wide eyes, but now all she could think about was escape. “I think he knew we weren’t the real owners of the ship.”
“I think you may be right,” Calla replied. She clutched their bag of precious credits closer. People seemed to be watching them; they weren’t safe, she could feel it. “But we’ll be gone as soon as we find a transit. We just need to figure out where we want to go.”
“And what we’re going to do when we get there,” Sarai said faintly, her expression troubled. “Calla, I don’t know how to do anything. How am I going to support my children?”
“Sarai, we’ve been over this before,” Calla said, trying to stay patient. “If we can just find the right place, we’ll open a hostel. I know all about hostels, I’ve worked in one all my life. We’re going to be fine.”
“I’m sorry, Calla,” Sarai said. “I know, I’ve got to trust you.”
“That’s all right,” Calla said, flashing her a quick smile. She and Sarai had grown close in the two weeks since their escape from Bethesda base. A wave of sadness came over her, the same feeling she got every time she thought of the day she had left Seth behind on the asteroid. She missed him so much.
Suppressing a sigh, she said, “Here we are–I think the hostel is down that corridor.”
Together they turned into the quiet corridor. In contrast to the busy boulevard, this area of the station was more residential. There were blocks of apartments, small food shops and even a book and vid store.
Their hostel was nestled in the middle, a little gem of hospitality. A kind-looking pleasure worker at the space port had directed them there the night before. Not only was it quiet, it was inexpensive, which was important. They couldn’t afford to waste the few credits Calla had from Jess’ stash, or those from the sale of the ship, either.
When they walked through the door, a chime rang but no one was at the front desk. Calla could hear voices, though. Able and Mali were in the back, talking with someone animatedly and laughing. She looked over at Sarai, whose face had grown cold. They had told the children not to open the door for anyone, and now Able and Mali were out of the room completely.
Moving quickly through the small lobby and living area, Calla and Sarai walked into the kitchen.
Mistress Bannings, the hostel’s owner, and her daughter, Erika, were sitting at a table with the children.
Erika’s children were there, too, and the entire group seemed to be playing some kind of board game.
Erika looked up and smiled.
“I hope you don’t mind that we invited the children into the kitchen to play,” she said brightly. “We don’t usually get guests with children, and my girls were so excited to meet them.”
Calla’s heart melted at the sight, but Sarai’s lips were tight. Erika shot a concerned look to her mother for support.
“Now, Sarai,” Mistress Bannings said kindly. Her gentle face was covered in wrinkles, most of them from laughing. She looked every inch a beloved grandmother; Mali and Able had been utterly charmed by her from the start. “Don’t worry. The children were perfectly safe, and I knew they must be hungry.
Speaking of which, neither of you have had anything to eat yet today. Would you like something?”
Mistress Bannings so obviously meant well that Sarai couldn’t stay mad. She sighed, then said, “Yes, that would be very nice. Thank you.”
Erika immediately jumped up and started fixing them some food, while Mistress Bannings gestured for Calla and Sarai to join her at the table.
“Why don’t you girls take Able and Mali into your room to play,” she told her grandchildren. They jumped up, and all four ran off together laughing. “The girls will keep them occupied while we talk. You have lovely children, Sarai.”
“Thank you,” Sarai replied, unable to keep herself from smiling at the compliment. Erika brought them plates of food, then joined them at the table.
“Mother and I wanted to talk to you,” she said, glancing at Mistress Bannings. “We’re worried about you.”
Calla’s head snapped up, and she looked at the women suspiciously.
“Now, don’t get all defensive with me, young one,” Mistress Bannings said, her face kind and understanding. “We’re on your side. Both of us know what it’s like to be a woman alone in the world.
I’m concerned about you.”
“Why would you be concerned?” Calla asked, trying to evaluate their motives. Both Mistress Bannings and Erika met her eyes with calm, friendly expressions. They seemed to be genuine…
“I can tell you’re running from something,” the elderly woman said after a moment. “Or someone. And I can tell that you don’t know where you’re running to.”
Sarai opened her mouth to protest, but Mistress Bannings just smiled and raised a hand to silence her.
“I don’t want or need to know the reasons,” she said. “If I don’t know, I can’t tell anyone. But I would like to offer to help you, if there’s any way that I can. I know you sold your ship this morning–“