Page 13 of The Wicker King

“Yeah.” “He doesn’t really go back on his word often,” Jack and August said over each other at the same time.

Rina paused for a second, then held out her free hand.

Jack glanced at August quickly for assent, then took one off the plate and handed it to her. Rina held it up to the streetlight and looked it over critically. “These are really messy.”

Jack blushed. “I made them myself.”

“Really?” she deadpanned.

Both August and Jack shrugged.

Rina sighed and started walking away. “You coming or what?” she shouted over her shoulder.

They scurried after her.

PATINA

Rina lived in a tiny apartment with cracked linoleum and peeling paint. Jack put the plate of cupcakes down on a foldout table and looked around. His lips were drawn into a thin line. He was apprehensive.

August placed his hand on Jack’s shoulder to squeeze away some of the tension.

“Do you want some tea?” Rina stood awkwardly in the doorway of the kitchen with a kettle in her hands.

“Yes, thank you,” August said. “For both of us.”

Rina disappeared into the kitchen.

“Do you still want this?” August asked quietly. Jack nodded.

They ate cupcakes and drank tea in silence.

“You’re not a terrible baker,” Rina admitted.

“I’m sorry we bothered you at work,” Jack blurted.

“No. You’re not,” Rina said, licking icing off her fingers.

August grinned.

BRUTUS

It was a Thursday, so after visiting Rina they broke into the toy factory.

“We haven’t explored the offices. Do you want to do that tonight?” Jack asked.

“Sure.” Without missing a beat, August picked up a piece of wood from the ground and smashed the window. He shoved his arm through the hole and unlocked the door.

Jack whistled.

The factory smelled like industrial oil and old paper. It was strangely warm inside. Most of the stuff had been left untouched, like the owners had left in a hurry. Half-completed toys littered the floor, some still lined up on the conveyer belts. Every step they took echoed loudly, and at the back of every breath was a cough from the dust. The main room where all the machinery was led to several offices and back rooms. The hallway Jack chose tonight was long, with rooms on either side. They went through the offices pilfering things. Little gadgets. Paperweights. A couple of them were still fully furnished, plush chairs and beautiful cherrywood desks.

“We should bring Rina here. She might like some of this stuff for her apartment.”

“Don’t talk about her right now,” August said, chucking a beautiful fountain pen into a box.

“Someone’s feeling possessive,” Jack murmured.

August sneered, but didn’t rise to meet the accusation.