Fireteam Delta J. Halpin (top 10 books of all time TXT) 📖

his ass and didn’t see the problem with a kid spending her allowance on her own weight in explosives. I started to put on shows for the neighborhood every so often.”

Cortez smiled.

“So, I was smart enough to know that I couldn’t just hide that shit under my bed. I had this place in the forest, near where me and my friends would meet. One day, this kid got it into his mind that he could have his own private show. He went to my stash, and ended up killing himself.”

She paused.

“The other kids rolled when news got around. His parents blamed me. My family got death threats for a while. We eventually had to move. Got the point where everywhere we went, that story would follow. Eventually, my family started treating me like the neighbors did. I ended up in foster care.”

Cortez took another breath.

“I dealt with the guilt of what I did for a long time. But you know what I learned?”

“What?”

“I was wrong. I can’t control other people. What I did may have been stupid, but so was the kid who blew himself up. Why should I blame myself for some stupid shit he did?” Cortez sighed. “What I’m trying to say is, everyone’s going to find someone to blame. Especially when there’s no one else left. So don’t do it to yourself. Already plenty of people out there who will give you shit for no reason other than existing. You get what I’m saying?”

Asle considered before she nodded again.

“I think so.”

“Great.” Cortez sat up, heading to the door. “And don’t think we don’t appreciate you, all right? Kind of hurts our feelings when you keep to yourself like this. Now, I gotta go dry heave over the side of the boat.”

Asle watched as Cortez left a little faster than she would have expected. She sat there for a moment longer, thinking.

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Summers had managed to struggle his way to the top of the rigging after some time. Strength, obviously, wasn’t an issue. It was more a problem of leverage, balance, and a very sudden and acute fear of heights he’d developed by falling on his ass in the first few attempts.

They were nearing the first port—somewhere they’d hoped to top up on supplies—and he wanted to get a good look.

“What do you see?” Nowak called from down below.

Far, far in the distance, he could make out the barely visible silhouette of a tower on a hill. That must be it.

“I—” Before Summers could answer, something rocked the boat. Hard. Summers managed to hang on as the boat took on a very sudden, very awkward angle.

The captain shouted something and men with barrels rushed to the sides, dumping the barrels overboard.

The shouting continued for some time as the others rushed to the side of the boat, looking out at the sea.

“What in the fuck was that?” Nowak asked Summers as he climbed down.

“I have no idea.”

Summers glanced to a barrel of what looked like stew. One of the deck hands was eyeing the water. He looked ready to throw the barrel overboard at the first sign of . . . something.

Then a massive head breached the water alongside the ship. The deckhand wasted no time, heaving the barrel bodily over the side before grabbing something solid.

The boat rocked again, and Summers had to focus on keeping his footing.

The elves around him were yelling for more before the captain shut them down.

“It’s passed.”

Summers followed the captain’s gaze, looking at the creature that was now circling the few barrels they’d left behind.

It must have been chum of some kind, or bait.

“Won’t be a problem.” The captain must have seen Summers and Nowak staring. “The spirits are with us today. We’ll have no trouble getting to port.”

“Right . . .”

All Summers could do was hope that that was true.

Chapter 31: Bait

Summers watched as half a dozen deckhands jumped from the ship to a long wooden dock extending from the town. An older elf wearing elaborate clothing stepped forward, hands held out in what Summers assumed was a welcoming gesture.

Synel and the captain walked down to greet the man.

“Fucking finally. We can get off this thing.” Cortez stood a little shakily before starting toward the dock herself.

Just as Summers stood to follow, he saw Synel wave a hand, gesturing him over.

“This is the formather.” Synel held a hand to the man in front of her.

Asle moved to Summers’ side before she bowed.

“Chief,” she explained, emphasizing the word.

Summers took the hint and bowed to the man as well.

“We appreciate the warm welcome,” Synel began. “We were hoping to stock up on a hundred and fifty units of travel rations, bread, fish—I”

“Of course, of course.” The chief held up a hand to stop her. “We’ll be able to discuss business in the morning. You’re one of the first visitors we’ve had to our town in quite some time. Please, come with me. I’m sure you are tired.”

Before she could speak, the chief had turned, heading for the town proper.

Synel blinked for a moment before looking to Summers. He shrugged.

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Summers and the others moved through the town slowly. The day was beginning to turn to night, and truth be told, Summers looked forward to having some space after a week of being cramped up against his friends.

“The war is over, then?” The chief looked at Synel for a long moment. “That’s . . . excellent news. We could use some trade again.”

“It will be some time before things go back to how they were,” Synel cautioned.

“I see . . .”

“If I’m to be honest, we assumed we’d have to skip this port. Being this close to the city, we had suspected you