Sector Hub A had spread so far from its origin that some stalls rested on trees at the edge of the wood. It was easy enough for Kelly and the others to slip out onto the busy path without anyone raising an eyebrow.
Kelly hadn’t been so close to so many people in one place since learning to control her power. With her bubble drawn tightly around her, she was still aware of a kind of background thrum, but it was not penetrating her mind with a hundred fleeting thoughts.
She looked around in wonder at all the bustling activity. It was such a colourful, vibrant place, it was like it didn’t actually belong in the Kingdom. Clearly the Collector had not yet been able to fence off and ruin every last thing since taking control.
‘Lots of farmers come here to sell direct to city folk,’ said Minh, taking on the role of tour guide, ‘whether they be restaurant owners or just people looking to stock up their pantries.’
‘Heads down, everyone,’ said Stanley. ‘There might not be many Hornets buzzing around, but that doesn’t mean others haven’t seen our faces on the news.’
He nodded at a TV which a greengrocer sat watching at the corner of her stall. Beneath a picture of William James ran a news strap: Collector en route to survey southern borders.
‘At least we know he’s nowhere nearby,’ said Kelly.
There came the smell of things being cooked – stirfries, pancakes, roast vegetables, fish, twenty other dishes besides, intermingling in the air.
‘You hungry?’ said Minh.
‘I thought I was the one who read minds.’
‘I don’t need telepathy to see your mouth watering.’
Kelly touched her lip, embarrassed.
Stanley shot her an apologetic look. ‘I’m sorry we’ve been so badly supplied. If only we had a nonpersonalised cashcard.’
‘I have a cashcard,’ said Minh, smiling.
After a lot of chomping and very little conversation, Kelly sat back with a sigh, patting her tummy. She had not felt so satisfied for what seemed like a very long time. She smiled at Minh, grateful for his generosity, and he gave her a knowing wink while he munched on a chicken wing.
Then, past his shoulder, her eyes found something that made her stomach turn in a bad way.
‘What is it?’ said Minh.
Kelly got up and walked over to a poster on the back of a stall. She could not believe what she was seeing.
‘He did it,’ Kelly whispered.
Minh, frowning in concern, arrived at Kelly’s side. ‘Did what?’
Kelly could barely speak. She was sure that if she tried to say anything, unstoppable emotion would pour from her in torrents, and attract too much attention. She tried to swallow her rage and grief.
‘It’s her mother, Hannah,’ said Stanley quietly. ‘And my wife, Christine. They’ve been painted.’
Kelly could not read the details through blurred eyes, as a single tear made its way down her cheek. ‘What does it say?’
Minh put a hand on her shoulder as he began reading. ‘“Woman will run for the first week of March, from six o’clock every evening, at Gala Castle.”’
Minh had heard of this place. ‘That’s in the richest area of the Agricultural Zone. It’s up north, full of vineyards and greenhouses growing exotic herbs.’
‘We have to go,’ said Kelly fiercely. ‘We have to set them free.’
‘It could be a trap,’ said Stanley.
‘You said yourself that the Collector must have been tracking us,’ said Kelly. ‘Why would he also set up a trap, when he already knew exactly where we were? Besides, he’s not even going to be there – he’s on his way to the southern border.’
Stanley stared at the poster while he thought about it.
‘They’re our family, Stanley.’
‘I know,’ said Stanley thickly.
‘There’s a train that runs north every few hours,’ said Minh. ‘If we get on the afternoon service, we can make it by this evening.’
‘We can’t go to a fancy art exhibition looking like this,’ said Stanley.
‘So we’re going?’ said Kelly, although it wasn’t really a question.
Stanley sighed. ‘Minh, how much money do you have on that cashcard?’
‘A lot. Turns out farmers pay really well for extraordinary muscle,’ Minh said with a smug smile.