Dark Horizons (The Red Sector Chronicles) by Krystle Jones

kid.
    The rungs were tiny. M y stomach lurched at the way the ladder groa ned and trembled as we climbed.
    “You sure this thing can hold all our weight?” Dezyre called from beneath me. She tried to sound vaguely concerned, but the fear in her voice couldn’t be masked.
    “We’re fine,” Rook called. “Hey, I think I found a man hole cover. I’m going to crack it open and take a peek.”
    Gripping onto the ladder for dear life, I held my breath as Rook lifted the cover. I half expected a beam of stray sunlight to blind him, but to my immense relief, it looked like wherever the ladder led to was dark.
    “I think it’s a street, but I can’t tell exactly where,” he said. “Seems pretty quiet. I’ll go first.”
    Setting the cover to the side, he lifted himself out and looked around, studying his surroundings.
    “Well?” I called.
    “Nobody’s around,” he said, though his gaze still remained alert. “I’d say it’s clear to come up.”
    Eager to get out of the creepy tunnels, I hastily climbed the rest of the way and planted my hands on either side of the hole to haul myself up. Standing and stretching out my tense arms, I looked around.
    It appeared to be the northern part of Pittsburgh, where all the illegal trade happened. Not too far away stood the tall, thick steel wall encircling the heart of the city, blocking it off from the Red Sector. Beside us, a Scarlet Steel factory spewed red smoke into the sky, which was darkening from scarlet to purple. The air had a funny smell to it that burned my nose, like pepper. I hadn’t noticed it when I was a human.
    Rook must have noticed it too, because his nos e also looked a little pinched. “It looks like they’ve built more factories.”
    “Yeah, sure looks that way,” I said, a little distracted by the itching sensation in the back of my throat. I hated that, the constant feeling like I had to sneeze. I must be allergic to all the Scarlet Steel particles floating in the air. Eyes blurring, I turned around and sneezed as Dezyre climbed out .
    “Ew,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “Aim your disease-infested self away from me.”
    “If anyone has a disease, it’d be you,” I said, sniffling. “The way you tend to dress comes off as advertising to me. But then again, I know a girl’s got to stay in business somehow.”
    Outrage flared on her face as her mouth dropped open. “Well, of course I wouldn’t expect someone from your side of town to appreciate fashion.”
    I snorted. That barb had little effect on me anymore. I was used to hearing jabs at my family’s poor income, of how we had to live in one of the worst areas of the city when my parents split because we simply couldn’t afford to live anywhere else off my dad’s measly textile factory wages. That all changed after he died and my mom was elected Sovereign of the Pittsburgh White Sector . Suddenly, we had more money than we knew what to do with. But no matter how many designer clothes she forced me to wear, I never forgot my roots – or the hard work my late father had done to get us by.
    I gave her a bored look. “If you’re going to insult someone, then attempt to make your remarks a little more, well, insulting.”
    She stalked toward me. “Would slapping you across the face be insulting enough for you?”
    “Please. I’d break your arm before –”
    “Enough!” Rook snarled.
    We both froze, our eyes snapping onto his. Fury seemed to light his pupils from within. “ I did not risk my life breaking you out of prison so you could get us killed with your petty arguing.”
    My mouth dropped open and then closed again as I struggled for an answer. “I – it’s just –” I sighed hard, gritting my teeth. “I’m sorry, Rook. I promised you I’d stop fighting with her, and I haven’t. Old habits are hard to break.” I shot her an even glare, which she returned with equal hatred.
    “Well, I’m not apologizing,” Dezyre said, tossing her hair back over her shoulder