Blemished, The (26 page)

I
jumped up from the log. “No… nothing. I’m going to help Sebastian with the water.”

Angela looked at me innocently but for a second an expression passed over her face. One that was knowing, almost triumphant. I didn’t want to get into a competition with her. Yet every time I was alone with Daniel the feelings took me over and I almost gave in to them. I shook my head, trying to get the thoughts out of my mind. Following the sound of the river I travelled through the woods, still barefoot, the soles of my feet scratched and bleeding from our long walk. The thought of cool water on my feet seemed like heaven.

“I found a tin can,” Sebastian called as I approached. “It looks like an old paint can or something, rusty but clean enough.”

“That’s great,” I said.

I passed Sebastian on the bank of the stream and plunged my feet into the cool water. It was shallow, the water coming up to my ankles, and freezing cold, which helped to cool down the rest of my body.

Sebastian frowned. “I didn’t notice you had no shoes.”

I shrugged. “I’m okay.”

Sebastian put down the tin can and summoned me to the bank. I sighed and followed. “Let me see them,” he instructed.

I sat on the muddy bank and lifted my feet. Sebastian took them surprisingly gently and examined me with his torch. The sun had set and night time fell.

“They don’t look too bad but you don’t want to risk infection. Can you tear some more of your tunic?”

“Sure.” I ripped the tunic up to my knees. It was more practical for walking anyway. After the events of the last few days revealing flesh didn’t seem so bad.

Sebastian took the strips of material and wrapped them around my feet, tying them tightly but not so tight they were uncomfortable. I stood up and smiled. It felt much better.

“Ta-da,” he said, opening his arms out wide.

“Thank you,” I replied. “It really is much better.”

“Glad to be of service,” he said with an over-dramatic bow.

He sat back down on the bank of the stream. I couldn’t help but notice how sad he looked. I sat beside him.

“Are you worried about your parents?”

“Yes,” he said, “and no. After what they did…”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “They did some… crazy things.”

Sebastian laughed.

“But I believe that they loved you. I think, in your dad’s own way, he did all that stuff for you. He wanted to provide a new life for you at the farm and he wanted you to be safe. He thought the only way to do that was by handing me over to the authorities.”

“I just thought that once we moved out of Area 14 he would stop with all this stuff. I really believed that after what happened with Eve he had stopped working with them. But I was wrong.” He sighed. “And now they could be dead for all I know.”

I squeezed his shoulder. “Hey, that’s no way to think.” I paused. “And it’s no way to live either. If they are… gone… they made the ultimate sacrifice for you to start over. You would be honouring them by living your life.” I patted his shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go back to the camp.”

I turned to leave but he stayed put. “Why are you being nice to me?” he said.

I sighed. “We’ve only got each other now – the four of us. All our parents have failed us in some way. We have to stick together.”

“I really liked you.” He stared at his hands, avoiding my eyes. “I know my dad tricked me. He convinced me to follow you around and suggested we meet. But I didn’t just do it for him. I really liked you and I did want those things for us.”

“I know,” I said.

“Your friends hate me,” he said.

“They don’t hate you. They are worried about you after your parents locked us up.” I laughed. “But you can prove them wrong. You’ve already helped to save Daniel’s life, that’s gone a long way.” I stood and held my hand out. “Come on. Get the water. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Let’s go.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re a tough woman, do you know that?”

“Woman? I’m fifteen!” I laughed, already beginning to feel better.

“Oh, you’re a woman all right.” He grinned back.

*

I took turns as lookout with Sebastian while Daniel and Angela slept. Angela curled up close to Daniel. She snored softly like a child. Sebastian woke me at first light. I hadn’t spoken to Angela or Daniel. I didn’t want to.

“We should cover our tracks,” I said. “Move the leaves.” I pointed to Daniel’s makeshift bed. “We should take the tin can with us for water.”

Sebastian nodded. Angela helped Daniel to his feet. I noted his pallor and the shadows under his eyes. His face barely shifted as he moved but I could tell he was in agony. Watching him suffer churned my stomach.

“Are you going to be able to walk?” I asked.

He looked at me evenly and nodded. He was different this morning, his face hardened. I regretted not telling him how I felt. But we had the small matter of surviving now.

“Today is the day we meet Matthew’s people,” I said to the group. “According to Matthew they will be waiting on the third hill in the East out of Area 14. There are ruins of an old English castle up there. When we find them they’ll drive us to the Clans. If any of us get split up we should head for the meeting point. Whatever happens, we don’t go back. Even if just a few of us make it––”

“We’re all going to make it,” Sebastian interrupted. “Come on, let’s get going.”

I threw him a glare for cutting me off. “Daniel? Which way?”

Daniel watched the sun for a moment and then pointed. “You know, you’re going to have to learn how to do that eventually.”

“Maybe you can show me tomorrow,” I said.

Angela directed Daniel away from me, not meeting my eye. I sighed. Sebastian quickened his pace to walk by my side.

“I’m kinda glad I’m not part of this love triangle anymore,” he said with a laugh.

“That would be a square and just wrong,” I added. “Why did you cut me off?”

“Because your little inspirational speech was about as uplifting as a kitten funeral.”

I laughed. “I’m not so great at public speaking.”

For the first time in a long time I relaxed. Today we had hope. We had come through everything, against terrible odds and we were just hours away from rescue. Daniel had survived the night and was walking almost unaided. We stopped for a lunch of berries and raw mushrooms, it wasn’t much but along with more water from the stream, it was enough to keep us going. I gave half of my share to Daniel, slipping it into his portion without him knowing – otherwise he wouldn’t have eaten it – he needed strength more than I did.

We were up and moving again after a little rest but the day was fading fast. I set a faster pace, offering to take Daniel from Angela but she refused. As clouds gathered above us, my hopeful mood began to fade. We could only estimate the time after days in the woods. I wanted to get to the meeting point as early as possible so we didn’t lose them and we were moving too slowly.

“Mina,” Angela said, “we need a break.” She stopped and Daniel removed his arm from her shoulder. “We’re at the brink of collapse.”

“We can’t,” I said firmly. “We’re moving too slowly as it is.”

“I told you to leave me behind,” Daniel said bitterly. “I’m a burden. I’m good for nothing except getting us all killed.”

I glared at him. “Don’t you
dare
say that after everything––”

A twig snapped.

I lowered my voice. “Did you hear that?”

Daniel nodded. He was standing up straight now. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

“Sebastian, help Daniel,” I instructed.

We moved through the forest, Sebastian almost dragging Daniel. I led the way, following the stream. We had no idea who was out there, if they were dangerous or how many but I wasn’t taking any chances. I listened out, straining to hear signs of us being followed. There was nothing. Either they were excellent trackers or we’d disturbed a deer.

“I think they’ve gone,” Angela said, catching up to me. “We can stop now.”

“Not yet, we need a decent place to hide.”

“Stop bossing everyone around. Who made you leader?” Angela tripped on a tree root, bumping into me. I fell to the ground, twisting my ankle in the process.

“Look what you’ve done now,” I snapped. “Can’t you make it through one day without falling over?”

“You bitch!” she snapped back. There were tears in her eyes. She stood up and fell back with Daniel and Sebastian.

“Angela, I’m sorry
––”

Another twig snapped. Closer this time.

“Faster!” I whispered.

I helped Sebastian with Daniel, moving him so fast we were almost jogging. Luckily the stream led us to a larger river. Over the river stood a tall rope bridge which provided a large but hidden space where the bridge met the river bank. Somewhere to hide. I silently motioned to Sebastian and we hurried to the bridge, tu
cking in the small space. Then we waited, ankle deep in mud. After only a few minutes the Enforcer came out of the woods. He slowed down near the river and stopped. The ice-cool chill of fear spread from my toes to my fingers.

W
e didn’t breathe. Through the dim moonlight I saw the strain on Daniel’s face and the terror on Angela’s. Sebastian watched the Enforcer. We were so stupid. The Enforcer had been trailing us for hours yet we did nothing to stop him. I wished that we’d thought to create a diversion or a false track. Now we were unarmed and at his mercy. I wrapped my arms around my shivering knees. The Enforcer moved closer. He still hadn’t seen us but it wouldn’t be long. He wasn’t a fool. He knew our tracks had suddenly stopped.

He crouched on the bank of the river and waited. It was then I realised he thought we were hiding beneath the water and was waiting for us to come up for air. His uniform was incomplete. The tool-belt was missing his Plan-It, and more importantly, his weapon. The Enforcer stood up and walked down the bank to the river bed. He was only a few feet away from us now, with his back to us. I saw an opportunity and I took it.

I rose to my feet. Daniel’s eyes widened when he understood what I was doing but I didn’t give him a chance to stop me.  I ran. With a blood-curdling battle-cry I sprinted from beneath the bridge like an animal freed from a cage. My bandaged feet pelted the mud. I ran faster than ever before. And as I leapt into the air, he turned, my head hit his helmet and we collided into the river.

Spray churned around us. The current was strong and it dragged us along. I heard someone shout after me – perhaps Daniel, maybe Sebastian. I coughed up water. I had hold of the Enforcer in my fingers, the leather of his uniform slimy and wet. He pushed at me but I held on and tried to pry his helmet away. My fingers turned white and pale from the strain. The Enforcer elbowed me in the ribs and I fell away from him. I kicked out with all my might and the Enforcer fell back, his helmet thwacking the water. The current pulled us together again and I struggled with the helmet. He writhed, scrambled and kicked. Water splashed all around me, in my eyes and ears, up my nose. The Enforcer punched me in the face and then he had me.

He grabbed my arm behind my back and yanked until I screamed. Then my face was plunged into the water, filling my mouth with foul algae. The water roared in my ears and every part of my body hurt. My lungs cried out for air and I kicked out at every angle possible in a desperate attempt to injure him. It was no good. He had me held tight. He was stronger.

It felt endless: timeless. It was unbearable. I didn’t want to die but I just wanted the pain to end. A blackness seeped over me like an inky cloud in a bright blue sky. I was tired. So tired. Something released and my arms were free. I was weightless. Random thoughts ran through my head – childish memories of my parents, romanticised and untrue. Angela appeared – she was older and happy with little children running around her feet. Sebastian smiled and nodded his head as though giving me his blessing. Then Daniel. Daniel holding me in his arms. Daniel’s blue eyes on mine. Daniel smiling. Daniel kissing me. Someone kissed me. I tried to kiss them back but then a mass of river water and bile rose in my throat and I was coughing river water on myself. I rolled over and forced myself onto my knees to vomit.

“I’ve never been so glad to see someone puke before,” Sebastian said.

I leaned back in the mud. “The Enforcer?”

Sebastian frowned. He avoided my eyes. “He’s dead.”

My chest burned and my throat rasped. “You killed him?”

“To save your life,” he said defensively.

“Thank you,” I said. But I felt uneasy. “Daniel and Angela?”

“They’re still under the bridge.”

My teeth chattered and Sebastian put both arms around me, rubbing my shoulders. “We should leave. We need to get Angela and Daniel and get out of here.”

“You need to recover,” Sebastian said.

“No, the sun set an hour ago. We need to get moving.”

Sebastian conceded and helped me to my feet. I coughed up the last of the river water. I’d washed up a few hundred feet down the river. By the time Sebastian helped me climb the river bank Angela and Daniel were on their way towards us. I thought of the Daniel in my vision, holding me and heat spread to my cheeks. For a moment I wanted to hug him, even though we were in front of Angela, and then I saw his facial expression and stopped.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he said through gritted teeth. “Did you ever stop to think
why
there was a lone Enforcer without a weapon following us? Did it not cross your mind that it could be a trap?” His eyes widened angrily. “You absolute idiot. You put us all in danger with your little stunt. There could be a tracking device or––”

Behind us I heard one slow, sarcastic handclap and I turned in the direction of the noise. A woman stepped forward from the trees and my heart sank to my knees. Her mouth was moist with lip gloss and even in the mud she wore high heeled shoes. Her dress was tight, bulging at the chest, and her face framed with fiery red curls. It was Mrs Murgatroyd. I wanted to puke some more.

“Very good,” she said with a smile. “You must be Daniel. I believe you broke into my house.”

Daniel’s hands formed fists while I just gaped. I had to pinch myself to see if it was really happening. I stood, helpless, soaking wet. The blood drained from my face. I’d never felt so young in my life. So young and stupid.

“Now, Miss Hart. To prevent you the bother of a repeat of your little performance on poor old John in the river I’ll introduce you to a few friends of mine.”

A bright light turned on and scores of Enforcers stepped out from the trees and my hopes dropped. The pit of my stomach dipped. They were armed. We were outnumbered. I was too exhausted to use my gift. It was over. The Enforcers shouted orders at us and my sodden wrists were forced into cuffs. I tipped my head back to stop myself from crying.

“Did you really think you could get away?” Her wild mane moved like snakes in the wind. Her eyes twinkled with pleasure. “You should have known that it would always end like this – after all I did warn you. It’s just a shame you dragged all of your little friends into it.”

I looked desperately at Angela, Daniel and Sebastian, all being held by Enforcers. “If it’s just me you want, take me. Leave them alone. Just get it over with.”

“Now, I didn’t say I just wanted you. Did I?” Mrs Murgatroyd’s eyes darted to Daniel and back to me. She moved towards me and grabbed hold of my hair. “I preferred it the way I cut it.” She threw my head back savagely. I refused to show the pain on my face. I held her eye contact.

“Let. Them. Go,” I said.

She laughed and walked away, pacing around me, circling me like a lion does its prey. “You know, human death is a terrible thing. The boy floating down river for one. The youngest of our little team here.” She pointed at Sebastian. “This one didn’t think twice about holding him underwater until he drowned.” She turned to me. Sebastian was left red-faced. “Why do you think that is, Mina? Do you think that maybe the Children of the GEM are wired differently? Do you think they are less emotive? Well, that can’t be right, because it was you who attacked him. It was you who tried to kill him. Sebastian here only saved your life. You’re the real murderer.”

Bile rose in my throat. I held it back.

“When we pull his body from the water it will be bloated out like a dead fish––”

“Stop,” I said, weakly. “Just do what you have to do to us. But please stop talking.”

“He was only seventeen,” she said. “Two years older than you.” She moved forward. “By God I am going to watch them give you the Operation myself.”

I spat in her face.

She wiped it away, disgusted. “You’re rotten to the core.” She grabbed me by the shoulder. “Come on.”

She forced me forward, every step dragging against the leaves. My friends were jostled by Enforcer guns. I avoided their eyes, ashamed that it was all my fault. Together we disappeared into the woods, into darkness. All my hope was lost.