Page 3 of Semi-Human

We break camp at first light. A heavy mist hides our feet, forcing us to walk slower on the rocky terrain. Our strength lies in our numbers, but that also makes us an easier target. The farther we push into Hive’s territory, the more I allow myself to relax.

The Defenders were originally assembled to protect our home while maintaining minimal contact with the outside world, but that all went to shit during Skyfall. By failing to push our enemies away from our territory, we made it easier for them to attack straight at our heart. Since then, we have taken the offensive. Never Again is our motto, printed on our uniforms and chanted in training until we can’t help but dream it at night.

Out of the three Hives in Colorado, only two remain. The Hive called Salvation was invaded and destroyed on the same day as Skyfall. Out of the few survivors, most have settled in our sister Hive, Mercy, which was spared since it was harder to reach.

“Was it fun?”

I turn my head to find Finn walking beside me at the rear of the column. He looks refreshed after eating so much this morning, but his clothes are still worn out and too large for his skinny frame. “What was fun?”

He glances around and whispers, “Getting your cock sucked by the lieutenant.”

I suck in a breath, wishing to kick Caden. “I don’t know what you think you saw, but—”

“I’m not trying to be an ass, just making conversation.”

“And that is how you go about it?”

He shrugs, blushing even through his dark skin. “Might be that my conversation skills are a bit rusty.”

I seize the opportunity to change the subject. “How long were you and your parents held captive?”

“What? Oh, about a week.”

“Do you know what they were planning to do with you?”

“No. What’s your name?”

“Private Bennett.”

He rolls his eyes. “I’m Finn. Citizen Finn.”

I sigh. “Josh.”

“Do you know what’s supposed to happen to me in your Hive, Josh Bennett?”

“You’ll be checked by a doctor, then probably assigned a place to live. Don’t expect much.”

I don’t know what he was used to before he got captured, but there’s no way he’ll get anything bigger than a studio apartment on the wrong side of the Depths. That is, if he doesn’t get kicked out once we reach the Hive, which is the most likely possibility.

“Why do I need to see a doctor? I ain’t sick.”

“To make sure you don’t have anything contagious.”

Like lice.

“I don’t have anything.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about, Citizen Finn.”

He still seems troubled, but I don’t know why. I let it go and focus on scanning my surroundings, trying to detect any suspicious movement or a flash of light.

“Private Bennett.”

Dara comes to walk on my other side, wearing her helmet but with the visor raised. “A word.”

I signal for Finn to give us privacy, and he walks ahead.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Nothing. Just thought he was bugging you.”

“He’s nervous. I can’t really blame him. He just lost his parents.”

“Didn’t bother to bury them, though.”

True.

I look at Finn, who’s walking by himself. As I watch, a strong wind blows through the trees, lifting the back of his shirt. He hurries to pull it back down, but not fast enough. I raise my pistol and Dara does too.

“Stop!” we shout.

Finn freezes as other Defenders raise their weapons, not sure where to aim.

“Hands where we can see them!”

Dara shouts.

He raises his hands, visibly shaking with his back to us.

Caden runs toward us. “What is it?”

I keep my pistol aimed at Finn and say, “Check his back.”

Caden catches my meaning and lifts the back of Finn’s shirt. “Well, looky here.”

I can better see the large tattoo of a bloody skull on his back.

Caden shoves Finn to his knees. “Our little survivor is a Raider.”

He leans down next to his face. “I guess that makes you a prisoner rather than a guest.”

I feel a pang of worry at the thought of Finn choosing this moment to tell what he saw on the hill, but he says nothing as he’s being cuffed and pulled back to his feet. He remains stone silent for the rest of the way to the Hive.

*

“Then why was he in the cage?”

Dara asks once we’ve gotten our second round of beers. The Den is packed, with Defenders occupying every table. Civilians are also welcome, but they know to stay away when so many of us are home. A band is playing tonight, but it’s hard to hear above the hustle and bustle of conversations.

I consider Dara’s question and say, “I don’t think he lied about being their captive. They clearly didn’t feed him well, and his parents were also in that cage.”

Ace rubs his chin, his shaved head shining under the light above our booth. He’s been offered a promotion several times but chose to stay the captain of our little squad. I wouldn’t have said no to a promotion—if only for a better apartment. “I remember him mentioning his parents,”

Ace says, “but he was weird about it.”

It suddenly hits me. “His parents were the Raiders.”

Dara and Ace frown at me. “There were two Raiders with dark skin, a man and a woman.”

Dara whistles. “His parents locked him up like that? Must have been a naughty boy.”

I clearly don’t know the full story, and I can’t help but feel a bit guilty for not giving him a chance to explain. And yet, he chose to hide who he was, insisting on being taken to our Hive. Was it to spy on us? It stands to reason, though I can’t think of a riskier way to go about it.

Dara yawns. Her curly hair is a mess after so much time being caged inside a helmet. I don’t know why she doesn’t just cut it short. “I’m off to bed, gentlemen. This lady needs her beauty sleep.”

“Better make it a coma,”

I mumble into my drink.

She kicks me under the table.

I remain alone with Ace, who leans on his elbows, looking troubled.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Just a bad feeling I have. Some things I’ve been hearing.”

“I’m listening.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t let my paranoia get to you. It just feels like we’re seeing more action lately. Makes me feel that something else is happening, something bigger behind the scenes.”

I cross my arms. “Thanks for not letting your paranoia get to me.”

He smirks. “I’m also great at parties. But maybe I’ve been doing this for so long that I’m starting to let rumors get to me.”

“You’re not thinking of leaving the force, right?”

The thought of serving under anyone else makes me queasy. We both are in sync on the battlefield. I don't question his commands, and he respects my opinions. Such trust is not easily gained or maintained.

“I’m not going anywhere, Josh. A desk job isn’t my style. Anyway, here’s to the best sniper I have.”

“The only sniper you have.”

“So? You know your worth.”

We clink our glasses.

Ace downs his drink. “I’ll let you enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“You don’t need to go.”

“It’s fine. You have company.”

When he gets up to leave, Caden takes his seat. Almost everyone knows he and I go way back. Kids from our orphanage grew up under the weight of Skyfall, so it’s no wonder so many of us have ended up joining the Defenders.

Caden’s blue eyes seem tired, but he can’t help but look handsome with those cheekbones. He’s wearing plain clothes, his shoulders and chest filling his black shirt nicely. “Are you eating that?”

Before I can say that I am, he snatches my half-eaten beet burger and takes a bite.

“Guess I’m not eating that.”

He finishes chewing. “Why did Ace seem down?”

“He thinks that something bigger is happening behind the scenes.”

He shrugs, not looking surprised.

I lean forward. “What do you know?”

“That some things are not meant for privates.”

Annoyed, I try to snatch my burger, but he’s quicker. He takes another bite, his pink lips moving as he chews.

“I don’t like it when you pull rank.”

He licks his lips slowly, teasing. “If I could talk to you freely, I would. And no, I don’t know anything official, just whispers that can end up being nothing.”

He signals a waitress to bring us more beer. Since I joined the Defenders, I got to try out real beer in some of the Free Cities, making me realize The Den has been serving us piss for all these years, but at least it’s cold.

“Any update on Finn?”

I ask, not even sure if that’s his real name.

“I was there during parts of his interrogation, but they’ll likely ask him more questions tomorrow.”

“Was he hurt?”

He raises an eyebrow. “You think we torture people for information?”

I can’t say that I know either way, but I still say, “Didn’t mean it like that.”

“He’s fine. I don’t know how much of what he told us was the truth, but he seemed eager to talk.”

He glances around to make sure no one’s eavesdropping. “He claims that his parents joined the Raiders four years ago when he was fourteen. They used to move between settlements before that, but his dad wasn’t good at keeping a job, so they never made a home. When his parents decided to join the Raiders, he had to join as well or fend for himself. Allegedly.”

“So how did he end up in that cage?”

“He claims that he tried to escape when they wanted him to join an attack on a small settlement. The two other prisoners in the cage were from there.”

“Do you believe him?”

Caden shrugs. “Don’t know. If he’s a liar, he’s one of the better ones. He wrote down a few locations where the Raiders are supposedly keeping their supplies close to our territory. We’re sending out scouts to check them out.”

“But you’re staying here, right?”

He smiles. “You won’t get rid of me so fast.”

Good. Returning to the Hive without him has been a source of disappointment ever since I enlisted. I’m grateful for doing something as normal as sitting with him at The Den.

“Are you doing anything now?” I ask.

“I need to report to the general, and you also have somewhere to be.”

“Where’s that?”

He points upward. “Dino’s waiting to see you.”

I shift uneasily. “How do you know that?”

“I just do. Go on, you know the way.”

I cross my arms. “Whose idea was it?”

“Could be his, could be mine.”

Seeing my discomfort, he says, “It’s just a conversation with an old friend, Joshy. We don’t have that many of those still around. You can’t avoid him forever.”

He’s right. It was only a matter of time until I faced Dino again. I’m about to slide out of the booth when Caden says, “Once you’re done with him, come stay at my apartment tonight. You know the code.”

“Is that an order?”

He smirks and brushes his knee with mine. “Like there’s any other place you’d rather be.”

Fucker knows me too well. Besides, his apartment is at the Central Hub, next to the library, where I was already planning on spending my morning.

“Catch you later,”

I say and leave The Den.