Free Dark Weaver (Weaver Series) by Dena Nicotra Page B

eat two of them Mr. Digger.”
    “It’s just plain old Digger, ain’t no need to add the ‘Mr.’ to the front of it.  That just makes me feel old, and I am.  The other un’s mine.”  He hopped up on the chair opposite me and unwrapped his burger, and then he reached out with one hand for a fountain drink of his own – which materialized simultaneously as he put his mouth to the straw.  I didn’t really want to eat a meal with him, but I wasn’t going to let a good Bubba burger go to waste either.  I was thankful that I couldn’t see his nasty feet.  Digger’s manners weren’t much better.  He talked with his mouth full and bits of food stuck in his beard.  I tried to concentrate on my own food before I lost my appetite entirely.
    “Thank you for the food Digger.  May I ask you a question?”
    “I don’t know,” he said between chomps.
    “You mean you don’t know if I can ask you a question?”
    “No, I mean I don’t know when you’ll get to go home.  That was your question wasn’t it?”  Indeed it was.  I had to remind myself that he could read me ahead of time.  I got another idea, and just as I opened my mouth to ask it, he said, “You won’t like the answer to that.”
    I frowned at him and watched as he licked his fingers.  “You’re right about one thing, that’s a dern good hamburger. ”  I took a sip of my soda and tried to remain patient.  There was no point in my asking again because he knew what I wanted to know.  “Chloe is going to see you next.  It’s her job to gather the history of your treadlings,” he said cautiously.
    “That doesn’t answer my question Digger.”
    “He weaved the discarded bag and wrappers away and then stood up to leave. 
    “Digger, please.   I can’t see anything coming, and you can’t imagine how frightening that is.  I realize I’m not like everyone else here and that you all look down on me, but I still have feelings.”  I was pleading and my voice was starting to crack.  He stopped at the door and turned around to face me. 
    “Yes, it’s going to hurt, but it won’t kill ya, and as for not being like everybody else – well, I understand that too.”  I looked down at his feet, and then back up to his eyes.  There was something tender there for the briefest of moments and then he said, “Take care,” before sliding the door closed behind him.
    Chloe was going to be coming to see me.   At least I knew who would visit me next.  I wasn’t able to take much comfort in that though because of the answer he had given on my other question.  I’d asked if they were going to hurt me and he’d answered honestly.  Whatever was in store for me, it didn’t look good and my anxiety level was rising quickly.  I ran into the bathroom and lost my burger.  Weak and trembling, I struggled to wash my face and brush my teeth before the room started to spin violently.  Oh my God, that troll had put something in my food!  This realization hit me just as my head hit the floor.  Chloe had little regard for my condition when she tossed a cup of cold water on me as I lay there on the floor.  I pushed myself up and coughed which caused my throat to burn intensely. 
    “Could I get a cup of water please?”  My interrogator ignored my request and pulled me up by the forearm. 
    “You will get up, and follow me now.”  I grabbed the counter to steady myself because the room was still spinning which made Chloe come in and out of focus.  Her lips were painted a fire engine red and seemed to be the only aspect I could focus on. 
    “I’m not feeling well, please give me a moment.”  I heard her grunt in disagreement, and the next thing I knew I was sitting in some sort of dentist chair in a white room that smelled of antiseptics. 
    “Are you a mender?”  I asked feebly.
    “Of course not, and what would you need with a mender?  You’re not a weaver anymore, nor will you ever be again.”  Her voice had a strange