Aberrant (5 page)

“I went to one of the doctors who helped eighteen years ago.
I was concerned with the marriage ceremony because I thought you might unintentionally
conceive a child.” I didn’t reply. I never imagined such an uncomfortable
discussion and was silently grateful I didn’t have to see her through the cell
as she spoke. “The doctor betrayed us. She’s the only one I can think who would
do this.” My mother's voice rose angrily in her cell. “I never should have
trusted her. I should have listened to your father.”

“What about him?” I perked up, standing again as I moved
towards the bars. “Mom?” I asked waiting anxiously, but she ignored my
question. “We have to get out of here.” I didn’t like the fact she had lied to
me, but I knew what she did in her heart was right. Besides, if they were
locking us up because of this information, I couldn’t imagine what they’d have
done when I was born.

“I know. Joshua came by the house when I was arrested. I
told him to go home.” Her voice sounded strange, distant as she held her
thoughts from me.

“What?” My eyes widened. “Home?” My bottom lip quivered
slightly. “How is that going to help us?” I leant back against the cold cement
wall, wanting desperately to be in my warm bed.

“Just trust me.” My mother didn’t further elaborate.

I didn’t answer her. How could I trust her again? She’d lied
to me and had been since I was born. I shifted onto the cot, lying back down
staring up at the ceiling. I wondered what the Governor would do to me. If
being born was a crime then I was guilty of it. I closed my eyes needing to
unwind. I wanted to be any place but here. I imagined a world where children
weren’t forced from their home and taken by the government. Our city was cruel
to its people, whether they wanted to see it or not.

CHAPTER 4

Morning hadn’t yet arrived as I awoke with a start. I heard
a noise, and my eyes flashed open in the bleak darkness of the prison cell. “Olivia,”
a harsh whisper echoed and I turned towards the strange light coming from just
outside the cell. Joshua was standing with a torch in hand.

“What are you doing here?” I climbed off the cot and headed
towards the iron bars seeing his mother, Rebecca, standing beside him. I
glanced at her curiously wondering why she'd risk her life for me.

“Helping you escape,” she answered with a faint smile as she
retrieved a set of keys. She unlocked my cell, and I didn’t hesitate as I
stepped out and wrapped my arms around Joshua.

“Thank you,” I breathed into his ear, grateful he came for
me. I glanced back at the cell where my mother was housed.

Rebecca walked over, unlocking her cell next. “Don’t!” My
mother shook her head. “You should leave me here.”

“What? Why?” I was astounded by her request.

“Someone has to stand up to the Governor,” she told me
plainly. “Besides, I’ll slow you down. You should go, now.” She was adamant.

“Go where?” I asked, glancing from my mother to Joshua and
finally to his mother.

“With me,” Rebecca informed us. “We don’t have much time.”
She led us toward the stairs where I had come down when I was first escorted by
the guards. I was hesitant, unsure we wouldn’t be caught. “Come on,” she
insisted. “We have one of our own on watch. We don't have much time."

I gave the briefest of nods before following her with Joshua
just a step behind me as we ascended the stairs. Once outside I felt the cool
crisp night air and saw the nearly full moon. I knew it must have been well
past curfew but didn’t care. There were worse laws I’d broken, like escaping
prison. I didn’t ask where we were going – I knew home was no longer an option.

“I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to leave,” his mother
told me sadly. “I know this wasn’t how you imagined your wedding day, but it’s
no longer safe for you.”

“I know.” It wasn’t a surprise after what my mother had told
me earlier that night. I wondered if Rebecca knew why I'd been arrested. I
wasn’t sure where I would go or even how I’d get there. Leaving Genesis seemed like
it would be difficult as guards always stood duty at the wall. Even if Rebecca
knew one or two, dozens usually patrolled the area.

“Follow closely,” Rebecca informed me as she extinguished
the flame and we walked through the darkened streets towards the east end of
town, where my childhood home resided. Guards patrolled the streets, but none
approached us. I wondered why they left us alone. His mother’s voice was soft,
answering my unspoken question. “They’re members of the rebel alliance.”

“How many are there?” I asked in wonder. I never knew such a
faction existed.

She didn’t answer me. Quietly, she led me across the street
and toward my mother’s home. We walked along the grass and to the side of the
house, finally coming around back. Immediately, I knew where we were going but
I didn’t see how it would help. “The old cellar,” I mumbled quietly, unsure why
we were heading there. There wasn’t much but old, dusty, illegal books. Did
they want me to hide there until morning? As soon as daylight came and the
guards changed shift I’d be found. Having escaped from a locked prison cell,
they’d come looking for me. I didn’t want to think of the interrogation my
mother would endure.

“Come quick,” Rebecca had pushed aside the shrubbery and
pulled back the large wooden door. “Take this,” she encouraged, handing over a
skeleton key that had been strung around her neck.

“What’s this for?” As soon as I asked, I already knew the
answer. There had been a door in the cellar, locked for as long as I could
remember. I had never been able to find a key and wondered how Rebecca had it
while it was my mother’s cellar. I found myself with more questions as she
gestured for me to go.

“There’s a locked door just down those stairs. Use the key.
It'll take you someplace safe." She told me with a serious look. "You
can never come back to Genesis. The Governor will have your head and try you
for treason. He'll kill all of us if he knows we helped you escape. I’ll send
word that you’re on your way. You’ll be safe there, Olivia.”

I took the key and the first step before turning around,
eyeing Rebecca. “Why are you doing this for me?”

She merely smiled and gave her son a hug. “Take care of her,
Joshua.”

My mouth hung agape. I hadn’t thought he’d come with me, but
I didn’t argue or suggest otherwise.

“We should go.” I knew it wouldn’t be long until the
government started hunting us. I didn’t want to face their wrath. I felt Joshua’s
hand at the small of my back as he ushered me further into the cellar.

His mother closed the wooden door, and complete darkness
encompassed us. I carefully took the final step down, my hand reaching behind
me to help Joshua on the stairs.

“Hold on,” he insisted. I turned around to face him but
couldn’t see his outline in the blackness of the cellar. I heard the faintest
sound as he struck a match and used the visible light to guide him further
inside. “Give me a minute.” The flame licked his fingers, and he shook his
hand. A moment later he repeated the motion, finding a lantern. It illuminated
the room, casting a faint glow over the small space. “Grab this.” He handed me
a backpack and put one on his shoulders.

“What’s in here?” The few times I’d snuck inside I hadn’t
seen any backpacks. I pulled it over my shoulders and took the key toward the
cellar door. Using the light Joshua had from the lantern, I guided the skeleton
key into the lock, giving it a turn before pulling open the heavy door. A wave
of dust erupted, and I coughed and grimaced as I wiped myself off as best I
could. Together we set out into the tunnel.

CHAPTER 5

The journey on foot was difficult. Already, I felt chilled
from the damp tunnel we navigated. The first few hours were quiet between us. I
didn’t know what to say to Joshua. He risked his life, as did his mother, and
then he chose to come with me, knowing he could never return home. Neither of
us could.

“Let me know if you need water,” he offered.

My mouth was parched, but I hadn’t thought we had anything
to drink. In fact, I had no idea what was inside the backpacks. “We have
water?” I asked, glancing back at him and pausing for a moment. I knew we
needed to walk faster, but I was thirsty and hadn’t eaten since lunch. It was
now the middle of the night and likely would be morning soon.

Joshua stopped walking and pulled off his pack. Unzipping it,
he brought a bottle of water out. “I came prepared,” he smiled, offering it to
me first.

I took it from his grasp, opening the lid and swallowing half
the bottle in a few short seconds. Removing my lips, I handed it back as he
finished the drink and tossed the empty bottle into his bag. We continued down
the path, lantern in hand.

“I have to admit,” I glanced back in his direction as we
walked. “I was surprised you had two backpacks in the cellar.”

I could hear the smile in his voice, “We all have secrets,
Olive.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulder as we walked beside one another. “So,
are you going to tell me why I broke you out of jail?” he teased with a growing
curiosity. “I know you’re my wife,” he nudged me playfully, “but if you killed
someone, I would like to know now before I'm your next victim.”

I laughed, glancing at Joshua. “It’s nothing like that.” I
shook my head. “That, at least, would be a reason to throw me in jail.” I was
disgusted with Governor Craynor.

“But your mother?” He raised an inquisitive eye. “It
wouldn’t explain her arrest. Unless, of course, there’s a new law since she
raised you and did such a horrible job,” he taunted.

I slapped his arm playfully. “You’re terrible!”

 “You still haven’t answered my question.” Joshua pointed
out.

I handed Joshua the lantern, my fingers having grown tired
from holding it for so long as we walked together. “Promise not to judge me?”

“We’re running away together.” He smiled. “I make no
promises. Go on.”

I nodded faintly as we walked further into the darkened
tunnel. I was silently grateful we were alone, and I knew no one was listening.
“I’m not like the other girls.”

Joshua laughed. “That’s not a surprise, Olive. You’ve never
been like the other girls at school.”

I raised an eye, wondering what he meant. “I’m different,
Joshua. My mother didn’t win the lottery to have a daughter. Actually, she did
win the lottery, but only because she had to. It was rigged because she was
already pregnant with me," I admitted, letting my words hang in the air
for a moment before I glanced at him. "My mother thinks it was the doctor who
gave us up today.”

“What? Why? How?” He had so many questions he couldn’t seem
to form a single thought. “Start from the beginning.” He kept walking, and I
was grateful I hadn’t scared him away.

“I'm not sure where that is. The first I learned of it was
in prison," I remarked. "Once Mom was arrested she told me the truth.
I was conceived naturally, and they had to pay a doctor to include her name in
'The Day of the Chosen'. She went back to the doctor before the marriage
ceremony, and I guess the doctor had a change of heart."

“Why now?” he asked as we walked faster downhill.

“My mother suspected I could conceive naturally and was
concerned with the marriage ceremony that perhaps we would unintentionally
try.”

“Try?” he asked curiously. I felt his eyes staring at me.
"How do people try?"

I didn’t answer his question. My cheeks flushed at the
implication of what I was saying. I glanced down at our feet and the trail
ahead of us. "That's a story for another day." I changed our
conversation directing it back to him. “You still haven’t told me what I’m
carrying,” I gestured toward my pack.

Joshua smiled. “Aside from a few bottles of water, your pack
has some snacks and a journal.”

“A journal?” I asked curiously. “For me to what, write down my
most intimate and private thoughts?” I bantered.

Joshua glanced at me with a bright grin. “You really don’t
know?" He was pleased to be the one telling me of his find. "Your
father had a journal hidden in the cellar. I found it earlier behind a loose
brick when Mom insisted I bring the backpacks down in the cellar. I shoved it
inside. I thought you might want it.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, unsure I knew words to express my gratitude.
I had nothing from my home, nothing to remember my old life by. I could no
longer leave flowers on my father's grave, a yearly tradition on the
anniversary of his death. This would have to be enough, my life preserver
keeping me afloat.

“I know,” he breathed, reaching for my hand. I willingly
took it, giving his a gentle squeeze. I felt a shudder course through my body
as we walked faster wanting nothing more than to reach the other side of the
tunnel, seeking freedom.

 My legs were sore, but I ignored the pain. Joshua had me
pause to open my pack. He pulled out a blueberry muffin and granola bar.
"Pick one," he offered as I snatched up the muffin and unwrapped it
from cellophane. He zipped my bag and we continued to walk, eating and talking.
Neither of us wanted to waste any time stopping. My legs were burning, but we
had to keep moving. By now, a search party of guards must be looking for me.
They had probably already searched our house and my mother's home. It was only
a matter of time until they found the cellar door and tunnel. My stomach
grumbled as I finished the snack and dropped the trash. Joshua kept walking,
refusing to let anything slow him down. I knew he was tired – I could see the
worn expression as he tried to stay tough. I linked our arms together.
"Almost there," I attempted a smile.

"Really?" His eyes glanced around, scoping out a
door or an exit. There was nothing.

"I have no idea." I laughed softly. "Just
hoping as much. We've been walking for hours," I emphasized. How much
further could the tunnels lead? The tunnel suddenly made a sharp curve. Not
only were we heading away from town, but we had also started heading south. "What
do you make of those?" I asked, catching sight of something fixed to the
wall every hundred or so feet. They were small and seemingly insignificant, but
it still made me curious.