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Jinx was standing against a wall. People walked by her every few seconds, but no one even glanced in her direction. Silco had decided it was a good idea to show her one of the shimmer factories. Someone had needed him for something, so he had told her to stay where she was. Jinx found this boring. She hadn’t wanted to come at all, so being left alone with nothing to do was not something she was happy about. She still did as she was told, though.
She watched the people walk past her. They all seemed rushed, and slightly panicked. A few of them shot her confused looks, but no one said anything to her. She almost wished someone would say something to her. She didn’t get to talk to many people her age.
“You look bored.”
Jinx glanced over at the voice. It belonged to a boy, almost a foot taller than her. Probably at least a few years older. Jinx wondered if he worked at the shimmer factories.
She nodded. “I am bored.”
“Hey. You’re that girl,” the boy said. “Everyone talks about you. Silco’s little pet.”
She frowned at him. “I’m not a pet.”
“You sure?” the boy asked. “‘Cause, they way everybody talks, it definitely makes it sound like you’re his pet.”
Jinx scowled. “I’m not.”
“Sure you’re not. Well, I’m Rye.” He stuck out his hand to shake.
She didn’t take it. “Jinx.”
“I know,” Rye said. “Like I said, people talk. Do you want to see something cool?”
Jinx thought about it for a second, then nodded. “Sure. I like cool things.”
Rye smiled. “Great! Just follow me, and I’ll show it to you.”
“Oh. I… I’m supposed to stay here. I thought you were going to show me something, not take me somewhere.”
Rye rolled his eyes. “For someone who’s apparently not a pet, you sure seem like you’re on a leash.”
“I am not,” Jinx snapped. “I can do whatever I want.”
“But, you just choose to do everything you’re told?”
Jinx frowned. “Fine,” she said. “But, tell me where you’re trying to take me first.”
“There’s a mostly abandoned room right over there,” Rye said, gesturing to a door more than a few feet away. “No one really goes there.”
“And, there’s something cool in there? Am I supposed to believe that?”
Rye nodded. “Cool enough. All the other people I showed loved it.”
“What is it?” Jinx asked.
Rye grinned. “It’s a surprise.”
Jinx started eying him up and down suspiciously. He didn’t seem dangerous; not by her standards, at least. Probably just a stupid boy.
“You work here, in the shimmer factory?” she asked. “How old are you?”
“Eighteen.”
“Well, I don’t think I’m supposed to be following strange men into abandoned rooms,” Jinx said. “Feel free to take offense to that if you’d like.”
Rye frowned. “Wait, how old are you?”
“Fourteen.”
“Really? I would’ve definitely guessed that you’re older than that. You definitely look older.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not.”
“Are you going to come or not?” Rye asked. “It’s cool enough for you to spare some of your time. Seriously.”
Jinx didn’t answer. She didn’t take a step either towards or away from him, though. Rye reached a hand towards her. She took a step away from him, but he didn’t seem bothered.
“Oh, don’t be like that,” Rye said. “You’re pretty fun from what I’ve heard.”
“Bad idea,” Jinx warned him. “I have a gun, and I’ve shot people for less.”
Rye didn’t pull his hand back. But, he didn’t try to touch her again. His smile faltered for a second, and it seemed more fake when he smiled again.
“I think I should stay here,” Jinx said. “Silco will not be happy if I’m not here when he gets back.” She gave Rye another look. “Besides, you’re creepy.”
“I’m not a creep!”
“I said you were creepy, not a creep,” Jinx said. “Which you are. Anyone who works for Silco is.”
Rye reached for Jinx’s hand again. She moved away from him this time.
“Seriously?” she asked. “I just said I’d shot you. Do you not listen?”
Rye frowned at her. “You are just Silco’s pet, you know,” he said quietly. “And, he won’t always want you. Not when you’re not useful to him anymore.”
“Are you trying to get shot? ‘Cause it seems like you are.”
Rye smirked, and shrugged slightly. “A word of advice. You might want to run off with someone else, who won’t ditch you the second you’re more trouble than you’re worth.”
Jinx glared at him. She watched his face go slightly paler. Someone put a hand on her shoulder from behind. She spun around instantly, and put her hand on her gun. She relaxed slightly and took her hand off of her gun when she saw that it was just Silco.
“Don’t do that,” she hissed. “You startled me.”
“What’s got you so jumpy?” Silco asked.
Jinx shrugged. “I’m fine,” she muttered. She motioned behind her, to Rye. “That guy’s just being creepy and rude.”
Rye put his hands up when Silco looked at him. “I didn’t do anything. I didn’t touch her, and I wasn't trying to get her to leave.”
“Liar,” Jinx muttered.
“You’ll leave her alone now,” Silco said.
Rye nodded frantically.
Silco wrapped an arm around Jinx and started leading her away. Jinx leaned into him and smiled. Once they were out of the shimmer factory, Silco let go of her and started walking at a slightly quicker pace. Jinx pouted, and half-jogged to stay beside him instead of trailing behind.
“What?” she asked. “Do I only get your attention when someone else wants mine?”
“I give you attention,” Silco said. “And, I will give you attention later.”
Jinx huffed and rolled her eyes. “Why’d you do that, then? Don’t tell me you got jealous I was giving someone else attention.”
“No. I don’t want that kind of attention from you. Were you even flirting back?”
Jinx shook her head. “No.”
“Good,” Silco said.
Jinx trailed behind him, then jogged to catch up. Then she trailed behind again. Silco noticed, and motioned for her to catch up. She did, but she was still walking slightly behind him.
“What’s wrong?” Silco asked.
“Nothing,” Jinx muttered. “I’m fine.”
“Did that guy scare you?”
Jinx looked up. “What? No. I have a gun, and if I thought he was dangerous I would’ve shot him.”
“Then why do you look like you’re upset?” Silco asked.
Jinx kicked a rock on the ground, and continued kicking it as she walked. “That guy, he…” She sighed, and rolled her eyes. “He called me your pet. And said you’d leave me if I became more trouble than I’m worth.”
“And, you believe him?”
Jinx shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe.”
“Why?” Silco asked. “Do you just believe every random thing you hear on the streets now?”
“No,” Jinx muttered.
“Then why would you believe this?”
She shrugged again. “He was wrong, though, right?”
“Do you even have to ask?”
“Avoiding the question doesn’t answer it,” Jinx pointed out.
Silco sighed. “Yes, Jinx. That guy was wrong. Satisfied?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I guess.”
“You really shouldn’t believe everything you hear, Jinx,” Silco told her. “Random people don’t tend to tell the truth.”
Jinx nodded again. “I know,” she muttered.
“Besides, you’re trouble a lot of the time. You’re not going to become more trouble than your worth. And, you’re a human, not a pet.”
Jinx didn’t say anything, but she nodded slightly.