Chapter Text
“They’re doing it again,”
I put my coffee cup down on the table. “They’re doing what again, Damien? Not cutting the tops off the strawberries? Able bodies using the accessible bathrooms?”
Damien shook his head and locked his wheelchair in place. “No, Dr. Davis. Ruth and Melanie are having a leaders meeting without you.”
“I’m sorry, what? There isn’t one scheduled and no one told me there was an emergency meeting,” I said, grabbing my lab coat off the hanger.
“Clearly they’re fucking us over again. And I thought once Cavill had the stick pulled out of her ass that Layton would make it better for us. Turns out he’s just as bad,” Lucia frustratingly signed to me.
I shook my head, signing to Lucia while asking “I still haven’t met him yet. When does this meeting start?”
He checked his watch. “Fifteen minutes ago. It’s in the new school car. Run, Keeva, Run!”
I pushed the door to the infirmary open and ran down the hall. This was not the first time I was forgotten and but damn I would make it the last time. When Andre Layton finally led a successful revolution against first class, it brought hope to those in second class and us in the disabled community. There weren’t many of us, but we were mighty. We held positions of authority like doctors, teachers, pharmacists; but were left behind when it came to room assignments, food rations, and positions on the Revolutionary Council. Layton and Melanie Cavill decided it would be easier to take two representatives from each class, as well as someone from each working group to form a Revolutionary Council. The council would make the decisions of the new train going forward; as well as create plans to deal with Wilford and Big Alice. The one condition of the council was that meetings would not be held without all members present; that each member would be given enough notice to make a meeting. The problem was Ruth Wardell. That woman hated anyone with less than a perfect aptitude. Notices and announcements were often forgotten for the council members who she thought were “beneath” her.
Stopping at the door to the classroom, I pinned my red hair up and wiped the sweat off my brow. Adjusting myself and taking a breath, I pushed open the door and walked inside.
“Excuse me, this room is…oh, Dr. Davis. I DIDN’T SEE YOU THERE,” Ruth slowly yelled, waiving her hands in front of her.
I rolled my eyes, “First of all, whatever you’re doing is not sign language. Second of all, why are you yelling? I’m deaf not stupid. And third, council meetings can’t happen unless all council members are here,”
She huffed. “This is a leader meeting not a council meeting. You weren’t invited.”
I sat down at the table between Layton and Miss Audrey. “Then I’ll just un-invite myself to your facelift next week. So…. what’d I miss?”
Melanie laced her hands on the table in front of her and stared me down with her usual cold exterior, “I’m sorry Ruth didn’t extend you the courtesy of attending this meeting. We’ve been discussing what our next moves against Mr. Wilford will be. Audrey suggested to send a team to investigate Big Alice and figure out the motives. We need to be careful; my daughter is still there.”
I nodded. “I can offer Lucia for the team. She’s former CIA; they won’t even know she’s there.”
“She’s also deaf as a door nail. How good can she be?” Pike yelled from the other side of the room.
I chuckled. “She’s CIA trained and hears by vibrations. You can’t quietly move on Big Alice; there’s no carpet. And Pike, although she’s deaf, she hears you coming a mile away.”
The table laughed quietly, all knowing how loud Pike actually is.
“Let me say this slowly so you can understand, Doctor. You’re only here to make us look good that we’re including the retards and the lame. Your opinion doesn’t matter.”
“ENOUGH!” Melanie yelled, slamming her fist on the table. “Everyone in this room is here for a specific reason. Everyone has a specific talent or job that we need to keep this train going; to keep what we worked for going. The team has already been assembled, Dr. Davis. None of your group will be going. Layton and I have decided what you will be responsible for,”
I turned to face him. I had never seen the man up close, so I took a moment to take him in. He was beautiful. Andre Layton was one of those men that as soon as he opened his mouth you listened. He captivated you with his words; his eyes telling you how much he believed them.
“Once the intel is gathered from the Night Car staff, we’ll send a group to attack their servers; cut off their internal communications system. However, we know it will probably get messy so you and your crew will provide medical aid when we return,”
I scoffed. “Oh so that’s it. Just keep the deaf and disabled to patch you up while you do all the fun stuff? Listen here, Andre. We all believed in you; saw what you accomplished to get everyone on one level playing field. Clearly, not all men are created equal,”
I looked up at Melanie. “So I assume the decision is final? No input required?”
“Don’t take it personal, Keeva. Your talents are better used away from the action. Where I know you’d be fully in control. I stand by Layton’s plan for you,” she closed her binder and stood up. “Meeting adjourned.”
The room slowly cleared out until Andre and I were the only ones left.
“I’m not doing this to hurt or disrespect you, Dr. Davis. Right now it makes the most sense to have you on standby as medic. I don’t know what else I could put you in for,” Andre said, standing up from the table. He held out his hand to help me up.
I took it and stood. “That’s the problem though, Andre. You haven’t bothered to ask what my team is good for. What we may lack in senses or ability, we make up for in other fields. Doesn’t hurt to ask,”
“You’re right. I’m sorry,”
“You should be. Would be wise to not piss us off either,”
I brushed him off and walked towards the door. Pushing it open, I turned around to address him one last time.
“Hey, Layton? It must be nice,”
He tilted his head. “I’m sorry?”
“I’m just saying it must be nice. It must be nice to have Melanie on your side.”