When morning dawned on their last day, noises from the kitchen told her Katie had already risen and was preparing a final meal. Whatever they didn’t eat became Piper’s once he helped them to the surface, but she could tell he enjoyed Katie’s cooking. He’d never eaten so well, or so he’d said over stew the night before.
A small tunic hit her face, and she reached for her blade to fend off attack even as she heard Piper say, “Breakfast’s chilling. Come now.”
Trina laughed at his eager expression. “You’ll have to cook proper now that you have a kitchen. Or do you plan to bring someone else?” She hadn’t meant to ask, but he could answer or not.
Piper waved her to the kitchen. “Already know who. Needs more than just me to hold the place. And there’s room enough.”
She pushed herself to her feet. “It’s meant for more, but we have only the one key.”
Piper shrugged. “There are ways around that.”
Trina imagined Piper here with other friends, enjoying the life she knew, and felt a twinge of longing. Her future stretched out before her, full of unknowns. She shoved the worries away. She’d wanted the stars for her whole life, wanted something different, and that she’d won.
“Hurry and dress. Katie’s got a treat for us.” Trina pulled her shirt off and tugged on the first polit tunic in the pile she’d left out the night before, tossing one to Piper as well since he’d left his surface clothing in his old home.
She felt bare without her knives but pass or not, she couldn’t go through the fence layered in blades. She did strap on both her arm sheaths before adding four more layers.
“Better not be too warm today,” Piper teased. “Maybe you should leave more for me.”
Trina laughed as she tucked her main knives into their sheathes. “You’re getting enough already.” When they reached the gate, she’d put these in a bundle with the rest.
Excitement rushed through her at the thought. Today, she’d cross the fence. She’d feel the press of black ground against her feet and know herself on the way to the stars.
“Pure happiness. That’s on your face.”
Trina turned to face Piper. He’d watched her dress with far more interest than she’d expected but he knew well enough not to approach.
“Not every day you can touch your dream.”
“Stars may be your dream, but you’ve given me mine. Power. A comfortable rest with a secure door. Nothing more for me. I’ll see you off with the same happiness. You’ve been a good friend. Your absence will be noticed.”
Trina nodded. “Yours too. Strange faces all of them. For yours never to be seen again will pain those who travel.”
He reached out and pulled her into a hug, careful to keep his hands away from her sheaths. Shafters never put emotions on a person but they understood well enough. They’d miss each other and the assistance they’d provided over the years.
“Are you two ever coming? Pity to spoil a feast by lack of care.” Katie waved them to the kitchen, some of Trina’s excitement reflected on her face.
“Eggs?” Piper’s delight was all they could have expected in seeing the planned meal.
“We thought we’d need strong sustenance for the journey. Katie made a good bargain and there’s enough for three easy. They don’t keep.” Trina slid into her spot and dug in, feeling the scramble crumble under the assault of her teeth. It filled her mouth with a sharp, bittersweet flavor. She drank deeply from her cup and polished off the last before handing the plate back so her sister could serve Piper.
Katie had already eaten, only one cup and plate remaining behind—Mother’s dishes. Piper took his time savoring the meal, reminding Trina he only picked pockets. These luxuries came rarely for her friend. She regretted keeping him so far from them. He had taught her the ways of the surface in the beginning. She should have shared her bounty once she moved from the street to houses.
“Piper will help carry to the surface, then we’ll get a cart.” Trina smiled her thanks to Piper who shrugged. As much as he might have wanted some of those items, he was a true friend.
They left him to enjoy the meal while they took one last walk through their home, rechecking all the secret spots with Piper occupied. The last spot held their pouches. Trina tucked two into pockets sewn by Katie on the inside of her tunic and gave the last to her sister.
Piper joined them, and Trina took him quickly through the secrets of their apartment: how the power worked, where hidden pockets existed to hide his better belongings, and finally, she handed him the key. “It’s your home now. May happiness fill it.”
Even as she said the words, memories rose of all the good times they’d had. Times when they played, read, or learned together as well as times spent with Katie alone once Mother no longer had the strength. Though Katie had been the one reluctant to leave at first, now, Trina wished for more time.
She sighed, turning her back on Mother’s room and going to the pile of belongings. It seemed both so small to encompass their whole lives and so large to consider the three of them managing to bring it up to the surface in one load. If they were attacked, their ability to defend would be hindered, but only a large group would attack three. Faced with so many, they wouldn’t be able to do more than drop everything and run even without the burdens.