Edge of Mercy (Young Adult Dystopian)(Volume 1) (The Mercy Series) (17 page)

I felt a smile slip onto my face. It had been a long time since I’d heard my given name. “Charlotte Ann Baker.”

“Charlotte Ann Baker,” the words slipped awkwardly from his lips, but he continued, “I don’t know what I should do about you. You’ll probably know as soon as I do, but for now, just stay away from me. Do you hear? I don’t want to see you again…ever.”

I raised my chin, feeling the defiance rise within me. Some friends I had here. Without Quillen, Thomas, or Zeke, I had no one, and I had no business staying in the community any longer. “Just so you know, if you won’t take me with you, I’ll be gone if and when you return. I’ll find a way for Star and me to leave. I won’t stay here much longer.”

With a sharp shake of his head, he turned and stomped out the door, slamming it behind him.

I didn’t know if he would head straight to the Council chambers or where he was going, but I knew one thing, I’d over-stayed my welcome. It was time to gather Star and my few possessions. We’d leave at dawn, too, even if we did it all on our own.

Chapter 14

Michael didn’t notice when I rushed into the laundry room. He was still inefficiently running the laundry through the large-capacity washer and dryer. Though the room was filled with them, we were only allowed to run one washer and one dryer in order to conserve electricity, which could mean long hours in the laundry room, but I’d perfected a system to make the chore go much quicker. He obviously hadn’t run my system.

“I told you to add more clothes to the wash as soon as the cycle started. Once the clothes are soaked, you can fit more in.”

He jumped at the sound of my voice. “Charlie, I didn’t hear you come in. I just have one more load to run through. I’m fine.”

“You’re going to miss the dedication ceremony.”

With a dismissive wave, he shrugged and said, “I don’t really want to be there to see Zeke’s memorial service.”

“Memorial service?”

“Yeah, we all know he’s going to die.”

I’d thought the same thing, but I bristled with anger, hearing it out loud. “No, he’s not going to die. Don’t say that. If anyone can make it, he can.”

A humorless laugh sounded in the air as he turned away from me and continued to work. “No, he won’t. If the Draghouls don’t get you, the human monsters will. It’s not a good world out there.”

I hated to break it to him, but it wasn’t much better on the inside either. “Okay, whatever. I’m taking Star, so you don’t have to watch her any longer.”

“Star? I don’t have her anymore.”

My breathing stopped completely. “What do you mean you don’t have her? Who has her?”

“Quillen came in to take her for a little while, but Thomas was quick on his heels and took her with him instead. I figured, as long as someone in the community had her, what was the big deal, right? She’s still safe.”

I felt my skin tighten as my anger grew. Star had almost fallen into Quillen’s hands again. I was doing a lousy job of protecting her, or maybe I’d chosen the wrong person to watch her, but it wouldn’t happen again. I couldn’t hide the slice of anger in my voice as I said, “I asked you to watch her, Michael. Ugh! Just finish the laundry.”

My boots echoed on the hard concrete floors as I ran to the dining hall. The ceremony would be starting, and though Zeke basically told me not to attend, not that I’d planned to anyway, it’s where Thomas would be, and hopefully, where Star would be, too.

Within feet of the entrance, I slowed to a jog and slipped into the crowded room, moving toward the back, so I could see Thomas. I spotted him almost immediately, and relief overcame me as I saw Star on his lap. She was safe, at least for now. After the ceremony, I’d gather her and our things, and I’d find a nice little hiding place close to the fourth tower tunnels. At first light, as Zeke was exiting the front, we’d sneak out the back, and we’d leave the community, the Council, Victor, and Thomas far, far behind. A small pang of regret hit me at the thought of never seeing Thomas again, but the growing danger of discovery wasn’t going to resolve itself and no doubt about it, I had to leave.

The room fell silent as Jonas approached a quickly thrown-together stage area where Zeke sat, straight as a gun-barrel, his lips tipped slightly on each side, a play of pride glowing in his eyes. I could almost believe in him.

Jonas stood before the gathered group, raised his hands, and smiled tightly. “You have come here to show your support for this heroic young man, Ezekiel Harris, who has bravely volunteered to face the dangers of the Dead Forest and make his way to Mercy, where he will collect supplies to keep us sustained another year, until the next Choosing. Normally, we use this ceremony to choose who will take on this task, but thanks to young Zeke, you are spared for now.

“Some would question the wisdom in volunteering to be Chosen, but I would like to remind you that our only other volunteer, Victor, is also the only other Chosen who returned to us, with much needed supplies. He is a hero, in our estimation.”

I suppressed a skeptical snort, covering with a cough instead. Victor was the very antithesis of a hero, and in reality, the community treated him less than heroic, making him skulk around in the dark corridors of the basement, including him in none of the community events. He wasn’t even here, probably locked away, so he wouldn’t ruin the festivities, which was fine by me.

“This member of the Council couldn’t be prouder of Ezekiel, and I know his uncle is honored to have such a self-sacrificing young man in the family. I could only hope my own son would take on the leadership mantle someday.”

Disappointment rang in his words, but I knew it was entirely possible this community would put their fate into the hands of a self-serving fool like Peter. The history was clear on this. After all, they’d handed power over to the current Council.

“Who would like to say a few words about this wonderful young man?”

Hands shot up, mostly from the table of familiar faces, the community boys who worshiped Zeke. I’d been one of them once, and a small part of me wished I could belong there among them again. There’d been a sense of security I’d never feel again.

“This one time, Zeke had us all on the floor laughing…” Most of the speeches followed the same pattern. To his friends, Zeke was larger than life, funnier than funny, and would be missed most of all.

As I watched Zeke through every remark, story, and speech, his eyes lit up and he laughed loudly. It was the Zeke I remembered, the one I called friend for so long. As the stories began to wind down, I was tempted to share the story of how I was saved, how Zeke pulled my mother and me from the forest and took us to the community without hesitation, but as he swept his gaze over the room, I knew when he saw me.

Immediately, the smile slipped from his face, and he dropped his view to his feet. No, that story wasn’t one he’d take pride in now. It would be a reminder of what he now considered a massive mistake.

It would probably be best if I left. I could easily find Thomas after the ceremony and get Star then. My lips pursed together in an effort to keep threatening tears in check. I made my way toward the exit and the way out. Just as I’d made it about half-way across the room, Quillen stepped through the doorframe, and I froze.

I wouldn’t have been more surprised if a Draghoul had walked through the door. He never left the basement, as far as I knew, but here he was, shuffling in my direction, his watery gaze zeroed in on me.

My desire to run was strong, but his attempt to get his hands on Star earlier still ate at me. Apparently, I hadn’t made myself clear enough when I told him he’d never touch Star again. Well, he’d know it for sure now.

“Charlie, I’m glad I found you. It’s imperative I examine Star again.”

“You mean experiment on her. Forget it. You’ll never have access to her again. I’m going to make sure of that.”

He waved an impatient hand in my face, and red swam before my eyes. His attitude was really starting to get on my nerves.

“Listen, I believe I’ve isolated the immunity factor, but I need another vile of Star’s blood.”

I clenched my jaw so tightly I thought my teeth would surely crack. My words rolled out through gritted teeth as I emphasized, “I refuse…to let you…anywhere near her…ever again. There’s nothing you could say that would change my mind. Do you understand?”

My point made, I angled to go around him to wait right outside, in the hallway where I’d be able to intervene if he tried to sneak her out without my knowing. He stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. Though I wanted to knock it away and continue on, I stopped to listen to whatever pitiful excuse he could muster to allow him to use my sister as a test animal.

“Zeke’s life could depend on it.”

Rather than making a convincing argument, he went for an emotional response. He had my attention, if only for the opportunity to dispute his ridiculous quack idea. I did roll my shoulder free of his touch before asking, “And exactly how is that?”

“With Star’s donation, I could perfect a vaccine. You know, like when you were a child. The doctor gave you shots, right? To keep you from getting really, really sick? I’m close to creating the same thing for the plague outside these walls. If I could just have access to her one more time, Zeke could go out there protected. He’d survive, but we have to move fast. He’s leaving tomorrow. I only have tonight to get it right.”

For just a moment, I allowed myself to listen to him. What if he was right? If Zeke could walk among the Draghoul without fear of becoming infected, he would make it easily. We all would. We could walk out of here day or night without any more fear. There’d be no reason to hide anymore.

I looked at his hopeful face. Could I trust him? Could I let him use my sister for the greater good? My very own difficult decision scratched at my brain. If I said yes, where would it end? Would I allow them to hurt my sister as often as needed? If I said no, would I condemn Zeke to certain death? I swung my gaze to a laughing Zeke just stepping to the front of the makeshift stage to give his farewell speech. Either choice gave unbearable consequences. How could I make this choice?

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the remaining council members filing into the dining hall, a squad of guards behind them, a few hanging back by the only exit. Though they didn’t look at me, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. The Council rarely left their underground safety. Something was wrong.

 Cane approached Jonas, whispering in his ear, and my anxiety grew as both sets of eyes looked in my direction. Trepidation riding me, I eased toward the guards at the exit, but they blocked my way, and I cursed myself for not leaving sooner.

“Charlie Little.” I looked over my shoulder at the stage. Zeke had been pushed back, and Jonas once again dominated the area. “You have been accused of a most heinous crime. This evening you will be taken immediately to council chambers where you will stand trial, and your accuser will be revealed.

“Guards, take her below.” He turned to the other council members. “Gentlemen, we are needed.”

I stood in complete shock as the two guards at my sides clenched my upper arms. My gaze remained locked on the stage area and Jonas. I didn’t want to see the confusion on the community faces around me, didn’t want to see their looks of suspicion, so I stared only at Jonas. A smile played over his lips. I bet he felt so important in times like these. My clenched fists itched to knock the smile right off his face. Thomas had shown me how. I just needed the opportunity.

As I was marched to the basement level, the whole accusation still felt incredibly surreal. Someone told the Council my secret. That had to be what this was about. Until recently, I hadn’t even realized anyone else knew, but now I had three possible accusers, three people I’d trusted once. My chest constricted at the realization that at least one of them had turned me over to the Council.

One of the guards shifted until he held both my wrists in one hand and used his other hand on my upper arm as a guide. The other guard walked behind us, a threatening shadow falling over me. There was no escape. Even if I could use what Thomas had taught me, what would be the use?

No one would help me now, and of the few people I’d trusted, one or more of them had sided with the Council over me anyway. I had no one now and just hoped someone would step up to take care of Star. Tears filled my eyes at the thought of Star fending for herself in this community. I hoped maybe I could make a deal to protect her, but in reality, I didn’t have anything now with which to bargain. Someone made sure of that.

My brain tried to work out who was most likely my accuser. Thomas said he wanted to protect me, but he was good at making hard decisions, and if it came down to assuring the community’s safety over mine, he’d choose in favor of the community. He could very well have been the one who told the Council.

Zeke was likely too. I should have known he’d feel obligated to do what he saw as the right thing. For the sake of all that’s good in the world, he’d volunteered for the Choosing because his father needed medicine. If I’d thought things through even a little before I laid my secret on him, I’d have realized, his need to do the right thing would force him to reveal all to the Council.

And of course, if I were locked away, it could only benefit Quillen’s plans for my sister. Much like before, I wouldn’t be there to stop him from sticking a needle in her arm day and night. If I had to place a wager, my money would be on Quillen as my accuser. It made the most sense, considering he was there, in the dining hall, when I was accused. Probably all part of his plan to stall me while the Council and guards made their way to the gathering place.

For once no guards stood at the entrance of the Council room. They were too busy marching me through the doors. The room looked much the same as the last time I was here, only emptier, as the Council hadn’t arrived yet, and so far, my accuser wasn’t there either. Figures they’d rush me down here just to make me wait and worry.

I had an idea what they’d do with me now. Thomas made it clear when we were in the tower. Why would he feel a need to warn me if he just planned to turn around and announce the truth to the world? He couldn’t my accuser. Then again, he wasn’t rushing to my defense either. Would I even get a chance to defend myself?