Read Edge of Mercy (Young Adult Dystopian)(Volume 1) (The Mercy Series) Online

Authors: C. C. Marks

Tags: #Young Adult, #Dystopian, #Paranormal, #Romance, #Post-Apocalyptic, #Apocalypse

Edge of Mercy (Young Adult Dystopian)(Volume 1) (The Mercy Series) (8 page)

BOOK: Edge of Mercy (Young Adult Dystopian)(Volume 1) (The Mercy Series)
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Yet, her shoulders sagged with relief, and she agreed with a firm nod.

“Wait!” Zeke’s voice rang out with force. “Show us your arms, legs, head and neck area.”

I knew he wanted to see for himself whether she bore any bites or scratches. The same had been required of me before the Council. Dutifully, she lifted each sleeve, rolled up each pant-leg, and pulled her collar as far as she could, lifting her hair to show her skin was clear of the damning marks. He turned to me and ran his hand over the back of his neck, almost like he’d hoped to find something and was disappointed rather than satisfied she wasn’t infected.

Zeke and I motioned her forward and began trekking back toward the field. I continued to scan the forest, just in case we’d fallen for a clever plan of attack, but just as before, nothing made a noise because there was nothing left to make noise.

In a low whisper, Zeke leaned over and asked, “Do you know what you’re doing?”

“Helping someone in need,” I answered, just as hushed.

“The Council will see it differently.”

Not for the first time, my resentment for the Council bubbled up, and I clenched my jaw at the thought of the Council sitting in their comfortable quarters, waiting for their meals, and making life and death decisions like I chose clothes to wear to school years ago. Insulated and protected as they were, they hadn’t had to fear for their lives in a long time. Perhaps too long a time had gone by since they’d even heard Draghoul screams close by. They forgot how terrifying a world it was for the unprotected.

We broke the tree line and walked around the field where a group of workers gathered, drinking water and talking. At our approach, the conversation died, and the men’s gazes turned toward us, focused on the slow amble of the woman.

Their voices carried, but their words weren’t meant for us.

“Is that what I think it is?”

“Who is that?”

Nick Stone, one of the senior guards stepped out of the group, his eyes more alarmed than concerned. “Zeke, what have you done?”

What had we done? From the reactions, I thought we’d committed the ultimate sin. Sure, the woman behind us was a complete stranger and could carry the infection, but she asked for our help, and the decent thing to do was to offer her shelter until a reason not to surfaced.

“We did a quick check. She doesn’t have any bites or scratches. She’s just a woman by herself. Says her family’s all succumbed to the infection, she’s starving and needs help.”

The senior guard grunted. “And where did she get the idea we’d help her? Did you offer it up again, Zeke? Even after what happened last time?”

My gaze flew to Zeke’s profile. His jaw was clenched like a fist. Now I knew Nick spoke of Zeke’s consequence for helping me.

At the time, I’d known the Council called him before them. I hadn’t realized they’d given him nightwatch, too.

“It was my idea. I said we could help her, the way you helped me.”

They stared at me in silence, their eyes scrunched in confusion and horror as if I’d explained everyone had to sleep in the forest tonight. What was the big deal? Was it wrong to help someone?

“Then, you can be the one to explain it to the Council.”

“I was there too. He didn’t do it alone.” Zeke’s gritted admission didn’t sound happy.

“You can both talk to the Council. Doesn’t matter to me.” He turned to the group, waved his hand above his head, and let out a piercing whistle. “Let’s go! Day’s work is done.”

His focus zeroed in on the woman behind us. “Take her to the holding cells until she’s cleared of infection.” His gaze shifted to me as he continued, “You two, report to council chambers immediately. Don’t get something to eat, don’t clean up, don’t even relieve yourself. They’ll want to see you right away.”

Every muscle in my body tightened. No doubt about it, I’d splatted right into a pile of goat crap this time.

 

Chapter 5

 

“Tell us again, boys. Why did you bring the woman back to the fields?”

I swallowed hard. Zeke and I stood in front of a half-moon, wooden table in the center of an otherwise unremarkable room. I glanced around the white walls and beige carpet. It had obviously once been a large office of some kind, but I hadn’t been inside this room for months. At the start of the year, I’d been summoned right after my sister was born, and my mother had died. The Council had to decide what to do with me. At the time, I hadn’t really paid attention to my surroundings, too focused on my fate instead. As I looked around now, it occurred to me I’d expected the Council to live a little more
rockstar
. I mean, for as much special attention as they got, they didn’t live lavishly. It wasn’t at all fit for an elitist group, and as I looked at their emotionless faces, I felt a little bit thrown off.

Every nerve in my body stood on edge as I clasped my shaking hands in front of me and spoke, “At first, I was going to do it. I was going to turn her away. I figured she was probably part of a band of traveling criminals, using her as bait to flush out any small communities, but just look at her once. When you see her, you’ll see she’s practically starved and wasted away to nothing. It’s obvious she’s not being fed and kept by anyone. She needed help.” With a determination I didn’t really feel, I squared my shoulders and said, “I told her we would help her.”

Zeke pushed me backwards. “If he didn’t, I would have. I had the same idea. Charlie just beat me to it. Besides, I’m the one who should know better. You warned me before. I’ll take all consequences.”

“No. I’ll take the punishment. Zeke tried to warn me.”

The faces of the five council-men grew more uncomfortable, grimmer. The wrinkles framing their eyes deepened right before my own. They looked so worn and weary. Just plain tired. I didn’t know what I’d expected, but I so rarely caught a glimpse of these men. They seldom ventured out of chambers. For the first time, I saw the individuals of the Council as more than a pathetic, narrow-minded group of fat, old men telling us all how we had to live. Sure, they were bombastic and pale as corn silk, but they weren’t fat. Not a single one looked like he ate more than one meal a day. And exhausted, they all looked like they hadn’t slept peacefully…ever. I didn’t want to think of them as anything more than the men who made my life harder each day, but maybe there was more to being a member of the Council than I knew.

Peter’s father, Jonas, was head of the Council and spoke for them all. Yet the members around the table often leaned away from him and whispered in hushed tones. I couldn’t help but wonder how cohesive this group actually was.

Thomas’s father leaned over and whispered to Jonas. Jonas nodded, but his grim expression never changed.

“We will deliberate and call you back with a decision as to your consequence.”

“And, the woman?” I was overstepping my bounds. Their narrowed eyes told me as much.

“Leave that to us. It is none of your concern now,” an elderly, bald man on the end explained. Joseph was the oldest member of the community. He had no family remaining and was not the most pleasant person to talk to. But I wasn’t put off by his hateful tone. Not when they were about to make a decision whether the woman lived or died. Every life should matter, even a stranger.

“But, she needs us. She’s all alone.”

Thomas’s father stood, leaning his hands on the table. “We’ll hold a trial here, but the decision will be made logically. It’s out of your hands, Charlie. It’s best you never mention her again.” His voice was gentle, but his stern expression made it clear, he expected nothing less than complete compliance.

A glance at the remaining two council members revealed a stone wall of faces. Graham Mills was slightly younger than Joseph, and just as stodgy.  Cane Moore, in his late twenties and the youngest member of the Council, was the only one who showed the slightest softening around his mouth and eyes, but his gaze shifted down to the tabletop, and I knew he’d vote with the majority.

I gave a shaky nod and felt Zeke’s hand pull me by the elbow toward the exit.

Once we were outside the closed door of the chamber, Zeke released a heavy breath, as if he hadn’t dared breathe normally the whole time we were inside. That threw me off a little. I’d always suspected Zeke wasn’t as brave as he made himself out to be, but to actually witness his anxiety in front of the Council, my heart sunk to my knees. I must have messed up big-time.

“Stay here. I’ve got to find Thomas.”

“Why? Will he talk to his father about the woman?”

“Trust me. I’ll take care of everything.” Zeke started down the hall, toward the upper areas, leaving me alone to watch him walk away.

Even as Zeke sprinted in the opposite direction, I wasn’t alone. The two guards, John and Levi, who I’d brought plates of food to days ago, stood at attention beside the chamber doors. Usually when I passed this way, they distracted me with empty conversation. Life down here was pretty dull. Yet, as I approached, they ignored me. My punishment might as well start now.

With resignation, I slid down the opposing wall at the opposite end of the hallway, until my rump rested on the floor. Might as well be as low as my chances of a painless consequence.

What would happen to me now? Best case scenario—I had to clean toilets for a few weeks on top of my usual evening chores. Worst case scenario—I was escorted out of the community at dusk into waiting claws and ripped apart. Though I wouldn’t like either one, I could literally live with a few dirty toilets. The other was unthinkable but still possible.

My attention wandered down a dark corridor a little to my left, where the hallway took a sharp turn away from the council chambers and away from the direction I usually followed to Star’s room. I’d never been that way, never wanted to go that way. We were warned that wandering away from the main areas could be dangerous. Many sections of the former hospital where we lived were closed off, inaccessible because at one time, the place was overrun by former patients who’d been infected. A few brave souls re-killed them, or at least that was the story Zeke gave me. I didn’t doubt some could have survived.

Yet, as I stared into the blackness of an unknown path, I thought I heard a quick low shuffle, like booted-feet moving over concrete floors.

I waited for someone to emerge, but after a few expectant moments, no one appeared. A quick glance at the guards showed no change. Obviously, they either hadn’t heard or didn’t care. They were, once again, ignoring me completely.

A wild thought occurred. I could sneak down the corridor and see for myself what made the noise. If it were a Draghoul loose in the building, I might be able to warn the others before it attacked. Maybe then they would think twice before sending me outside the walls. If I saved lives, my worth in the community might rise.

Of course, if something were there, I could die before I got the chance to warn anyone. The Draghoul were fast and quiet when they wanted to be. They were excellent hunters. I knew that firsthand.

I rubbed a hand over the back of my aching neck and shoulders. It was highly possible I was dead anyway. My fate here was precarious most days. All the more reason to at least take a chance.

I inched my way to a standing position, keeping an eye on the guards. They were talking and laughing over something one was holding out to the other. Just as I expected, they didn’t even glance up as I stepped into the dark corridor and moved out of sight.

Almost immediately, the thought that I’d made a massive mistake crashed over me. I’d left my flashlight in Quillen’s room last time I was there. Just inches ahead of me was completely blacked out, and I moved forward at a pace to match the speed of growing crops. Inch by inch, I felt my way along the wall, listening for sounds of life, or walking death, or whatever you called it.

This was stupid.
Why was I pushing myself into almost certain danger? What was I trying to prove?

I’d just about made the decision to turn around and head back to the safety of the light behind me when I spotted a pinprick of light ahead of me to the left. Where there was light around here, there was probably life.

With a little more purpose than before, I carefully made my way toward the light, sliding over broken pieces of the floor. The dark hindered my progress, but my confidence grew as I closed in, and soon I could see a door cracked open just enough to allow a small thread of light to spill out.

Cautiously, I opened the door, the muscles in my legs twitching with an urgency to run if necessary. Once the door swung free, I eased inside and my gaze slowly drifted to every corner.

The space overflowed with personal items. No one living or dead stirred inside the room. On a table to the right of the door, a lamp stood, emitting the light that had drawn me. Beside it was a rumpled bed that could sleep at least two, maybe more, but I hadn’t seen a bed like that since I was a child. The blankets were wadded up and falling over the side, as if the owner had only just crawled out from under them. Did someone in the community stay here? At the foot of the bed, a trunk sat on its side, flung open, the contents spilled and scattered over the floor.

My curiosity got the better of me, and I stepped toward the items laid out everywhere around the wooden trunk. With a glance, I noticed something was off that I couldn’t quite grasp, but the various pieces lying in the floor seemed wrong somehow.

As I got closer, the reason became clear. The items were feminine.  They clearly belonged to a woman, and my confusion was understandable since no women resided here any longer. At least that I knew of. Star was the only known girl, so who did these things belong to? Was there another girl hiding in boy’s clothes? Maybe I wasn’t as alone as I thought.

I sunk down to my knees and ran my hands over the items spread out on the floor. Inquisitiveness pushing at me, I picked up a gold chain that slid through my fingers like sand, and as I lifted it, an oval pendant swung around and tangled around my wrist. With my other hand, I grasped it and raised it to have a closer look. Thick and weighty for a necklace, I noticed a hinged clasp on the outer portion of the oval. It was a locket.

BOOK: Edge of Mercy (Young Adult Dystopian)(Volume 1) (The Mercy Series)
9.2Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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