Dead and Buryd: A Dystopian Action Adventure Novel (Out of Orbit Book 1) (36 page)
Read Dead and Buryd: A Dystopian Action Adventure Novel (Out of Orbit Book 1) Online
Authors: Chele Cooke
Tags: #sci-fi, #dystopian, #slavery, #rebellion, #alien, #Science Fiction, #post-apocalypse, #war
“When you sleep, take that off, it’ll heal better with some air,” she explained, picking up Dhiren’s trousers and tossing them over his lap.
He gave her a nod and lifted his closed fist to his chest in a mock Adveni salute.
“Will do, Med.” He rolled his eyes at the glare Georgianna threw his way. “George.”
She placed the knife on the bed next to him, tapped his knee and stepped out of the cell, moving back through the block.
Inmates glanced at her as she passed, but as she’d most recently been seen with Dhiren, she wasn’t all that surprised. She gave people small, reassuring smiles, but didn’t linger as she returned to her cell, climbing the steps to the upper level and along the walkway.
She didn’t notice it at first, stepping into the cell. Taking a seat, she didn’t notice anything different until she slumped down onto her side and the sound of rustling paper crinkled beneath her head.
She sat up immediately, and seeing nothing on the mattress, she wondered if she had imagined it or if it had come from one of the cells close by. But as she went to brush her hair back behind her ear a note slipped from between the locks of wavy hair.
Picking it up from the mattress, she turned it over in her fingers. A small wax seal covered a small fold, holding the paper closed, and while it was nothing fancy, just a couple of drips of candle wax, she could only wonder where an inmate had gotten a candle, not to mention why a note should be so important as to seal it. Had they placed the note in the wrong cell? She turned it over again. In rough, slim handwriting, a letter G was scrawled near the bottom corner.
It wasn’t difficult to open without tearing it. The wax came away without a fuss. When she pressed it back, wondering if it had been a secure way to seal it, the wax didn’t stick to the paper again.
She brought her legs up and tucked them underneath her, leaning back against the wall as she carefully unfolded the note. As each fold came up blank, she began to worry. Surely, she thought, if someone had gone to the effort of putting it on paper and leaving for her to find, it had to be something important that needed explanation. Finally, as she opened the last fold, the paper laying flat between her hands, she found three short lines scrawled onto the paper in the same thin handwriting as had been on the front.
She stared down at the paper in her hands. She recognised it now, at least she thought she did. The paper was the same as in her notebook. On one corner, where the sheet had been torn out, she saw a small scribble of her own handwriting.
Chewing on her bottom lip, the paper in her lap, Georgianna’s desolation slowly melted away at the sight of those words. His last words to her. His promise, unbroken.
I have too much time on my hands.
Be ready.
K.
THE OUT OF ORBIT SERIES
Thank you for reading Dead and Buryd, the first book in the “Out of Orbit” series. I hope that you have enjoyed it.
Fight or Flight, the second instalment of the series, is on sale on all eBook retailers.
Pick up your copy of Fight or Flight straight away to continue the story.
Authors rely on word of mouth as a vital part of sharing our work. Therefore, I would like to urge you to leave a review of Dead and Buryd via your retailer, or with a book sharing website such as Goodreads.
All reviews, good or bad, are very much appreciated.
Thank you for reading.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank my editor, Kevin Booth, for his amazing work and support in shaping Dead and Buryd into what it is now. My gratitude also goes to Design for Writers for the beautiful cover.
Kim and Rhian, you have both been there for in-depth discussions, rambling, ranting, and everything in between. I would not have come this far without you.
Mostly, I would like to thank my family, friends, and authors I have met on the journey to self-publishing. The unwavering support and encouragement I have received has been overwhelming.
Every day you push me to go further and dream bigger.
Thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chele Cooke is a Sci-Fi/Fantasy independent author based in London, UK.
Chele is an English-born writer based in London. With a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Derby, Chele has been writing for over a decade, both original fiction and fan fiction. She has a number of other original works, which are available to read free online at her website and on wattpad.com
For more information about Chele, the “Out of Orbit” series, promotions, giveaways, and future releases, visit
www.chelecooke.com
Table of Contents
28 Colourful Truths and Excuses