Page 22 of Pushed

His words sent goosebumps over my skin. Machi said it like a threat, but his eyes seemed to tell me something different. They glazed over, falling out of anger and into sadness.

“What the hell does that mean? I'm already dead aren't I?”

“That's not what I meant.” Dropping to his knees, he braided his fingers together.

“Then what do you mean?”

Pointing up at me, Machi squinted. “I'm the only thing here that can protect you, without me. . .” Pausing, he pressed his palms together, slowly rubbing them back and forth. “Without me, you don't stand a chance. Those men I was with, the other men that are here, they'll make you wish you were dead, and no one will stop them.”

There are more here?

More men like him? How could that be?

“But aren't you in charge? I mean the way you spoke to those other guys, I thought you were the boss.”

Shaking his head, a small twitch teased the corner of his lip. “We all have to report to someone.” Standing up, Machi let his arms fall still, hanging with precision at his sides. “What's your name?”

He's one of many. . .

Fuck.

Letting my head fall into my chest, I kicked my feet nervously. “Why does that matter? I'm no one, remember?”

“Tell me your name.” His hands splayed open, fingers dancing against his thighs. “I'm starting small here, I'm giving you a chance to prove you can listen. That's the key in a place like this, that's what I need you to do.”

“What kind of place is this?” I asked, sitting with tears in my eyes as my future slowly disintegrated before me. “I need more,please,just tell me what the fuck you really want from me. Don't I deserve that at least? Give me some sort of reason for all this.” My eyes pleaded with him for an answer.

How could he expect me to just do what he said when I had no clue what the fuck was going on?

I couldn't prepare myself, I couldn't accept what was coming or build a wall to protect whatever I had left; not without knowing the truth.

“Name?” he asked, not giving me the answer I was seeking.

Looking up, I tried to read him. But he was stoic, waiting for an answer. The glaze over his eyes was gone, the lines now filled as his face sat emotionless.

The man I had caught a glimpse of, the tired and depleted face that cradled my heart for a tender second was gone.

“Imperial.”

“Imperial? Really?”

“That's what I said.”

“It's just, that's not a name you hear every day. Actually, I think you're the first Imperial to ever pass through here.”

Looking down at the floor, I shrugged my shoulders. “That's my name, you asked, you got an answer. I don't really give a shit who else has come through here.”

I was hoping Machi didn't register any concern in my voice. Because the truth was, I did care. I cared if those people who came also left. I cared if they walked out on their own or were carried unwillingly. . . Because knowing that could show me what was coming.

Did they ever leave at all?

“Alright,” he said, lifting a hand to cup his jaw as his eyes searched my face. “Pixie.”

“What?”

“That's your name—Pixie.”

“What? Why—”