The Diminished. Kaitlyn Patterson Sage

the paper for a moment and handed it back to me. “Miss Abernathy, would you come with me, please?”

      “Why? This is my room. Haven’t you got to check the other tickets?”

      His jaw tensed and his voice softened, like he was talking to a frightened animal. “Your cabin assignment has been changed. If you’ll come with me, I’ll escort you to your new room.”

      Alarms sounded in my head like the horns that blew each time some hovel in the End caught fire. I took a step back and my eyes flashed to either end of the hallway. This felt like a trap.

      “I’m fine here. Promise,” I said.

      “I must insist you come with me, Miss Abernathy.” He put a big hand on my shoulder, but I ducked out of his grip, thinking fast. He didn’t seem threatening, but I’d learned the hard way that looks were often deceiving. I didn’t trust anyone.

      “I’d rather wait for my twin,” I lied. “Don’t want to get separated. It’s a big ship, you know.”

      The young man leaned down close to me, careful not to touch me again, and whispered in my ear. “I know you’re traveling alone, and I think it’s for the best if we keep that knowledge as quiet as possible. Don’t you agree?”