Dread Nation (Dread Nation #1)(42)
The mayor holds his hands out and smiles apologetically. “Such long faces! Cheer up, friends. Many a scoundrel has made their fortune out west. Of course, that is all assuming you survive.”
There’s a knock behind us, and a white man with red hair sticks his head into the room. “Sorry to interrupt, Mayor Carr, but we’ve got another breach. Looks like a good-size pack. George got bit, so Jasper said we needed to let you know we put him down and ain’t got no one to handle the dogs now.”
The mayor’s face flushes, and he points to the man. “Put Evan on the dogs and make sure those damned shamblers don’t breach the secondary again! I have guests.”
Katherine holds her head high, even though her eyes swim with tears. She’s nothing but collateral damage in this whole mess, and it makes me feel some kind of way. Especially when she looks at me and gives me a rueful grin. “Well, Jane, it looks like you were right, after all.”
Strange, hearing her say it doesn’t give me much satisfaction.
The man hurries out, and the mayor returns to his chair, picking up his cigar once more. “As you can see, I have other, more important matters to attend to. The train leaves in the morning. You’ll spend tonight in the cellars, which may be a bit damp but are cool and quite comfortable. I urge you to get as much rest as you can. Life out west is harder than anything you’re used to, at least for your kind.” The mayor puffs leisurely on his cigar. “And if you prove yourselves useful, as Mr. Redfern has, well, you might just have a future after all.”
“One more thing, Mr. Mayor, if you don’t mind,” I say.
“Yes, Miss McKeene?”
“Might I use your comfort room before we are locked up? I would hate to embarrass myself during my exile.”
The mayor smiles and nods. “Of course, Miss McKeene. I’m a politician, not a monster.”
Miss Anderson leads the way out, Mr. Redfern gesturing with his revolver for us to follow. We do, our steps slow and dejected.
I have never felt so hopeless in all my life.
Part Two
The Cruel West
Dearest Jane,
Oh my dear, how good it is to have your words, and to read such lovely penmanship. There is no greater joy for a mother than to know her only child is doing well. I see that Miss Preston’s has had quite the positive impact on your life, though I daresay the memory of the day you left still pains me greatly.
Chapter 16
In Which I Have a Revelation
The train leaves promptly at six, and we are dragged through the early-morning dark to meet it. Katherine and I wear our Attendants’ uniforms, and Red Jack is still dressed in the white shirt and apron of a house servant. Mr. Redfern walks behind us, gun leveled at our backs just in case we get any fancy ideas. I am sure we make quite a sight to any who witness our parade.
On the train we’re guided not to a passenger car but a cargo car. Miss Anderson stands waiting for us, sliding the door open and gesturing for us to climb inside. Jackson catches my eye and winks. “I always told you I’d take you away from all of this,” he murmurs, low enough that only I hear him. How he can have such a jovial attitude when the situation is most dire is something I cannot explain.
Miss Anderson locks our chains to steel rings in the floor, tossing the keys to Mr. Redfern, who catches them one-handed. Miss Anderson smiles down at me. “I have waited for this day ever since you first came to Miss Preston’s. I hope Sheriff Snyder flays you bloody.”
“And I hope a horde of shamblers chews your face off, you miserable wretch,” I say. Miss Anderson draws her hand back and slaps me across the face, my head whipping around from the blow. The coppery taste of blood fills my mouth, and I spit, aiming at Miss Anderson’s boots. Sadly, I am not even close.
So much for my etiquette instruction.
Miss Anderson turns to go but then hesitates. “One last thing,” she says. She reaches into the pocket of her skirt and takes out a thick packet of letters, envelopes of fine lavender vellum. “These are from your mother, Jane. The postmaster is a friend of mine and was happy to help me make sure you didn’t continue to violate school rules. And I believe at this point your mother probably takes you for dead, since she hasn’t received one of your letters in ever so long, either.” Miss Anderson tosses the packet of letters just out of reach, partway between me and Katherine. One look reveals the writing as my momma’s, and something breaks in me.
“I will kill you, you conniving bitch!” I scream, straining against my chains and lurching forward as far as they will allow. Miss Anderson just laughs as Mr. Redfern helps her down from the train car, the door slamming closed. I scream, a sound of pure animalistic rage, and before I know it tears are running down my cheeks, my pain and frustration a living thing. All this time I despaired over my momma: whether she was alive, whether she’d be happy to see me when I returned, whether I’d imagined her tenderness and her love. All this time I waited for answers and got not a one, my slavish devotion answered with silence from her. Or so I’d thought.
“Jane, you have to calm down. It’s going to get hot in here, and they didn’t leave us with any water. Jane.” Katherine’s voice is tremulous, and I realize that I ain’t the only one being sent off into the unknown. Red Jack and Katherine are here with me, and I owe it to them to try to retain some of my sanity.