Frenzy (The Frenzy Series Book 1) (5 page)

When he sat me back down, I could see the night-walker over Saul’s broad shoulder, watching me with a strange look on his face – half dare, half amusement. I turned and headed toward the table in the back to pick up one of the informational papers. I needed to know what I was in for.

Saul caught my arm. “Get your paper, but I want to talk to you about it all. Some things aren’t quite right,” he whispered conspiratorially.

“How would you – OH! You’ve been before. I’m stupid. Ignore me.”

Saul stopped in his tracks and stood straight. “You are not stupid, Porschia. Don’t put yourself down. I have a feeling you get enough of that from other people.”

He was right. I swallowed and squeezed past a couple of the others who were milling around. The table had one last paper on it. Someone would need to hand-write some more. Before we stepped outside, Tim Brown poked his head around the corner. “Can you two wait outside for a sec? We just want to meet with everyone before tomorrow if you have a few moments.”

Saul and I both agreed and stepped outside. The fresh air, now warm from the sun that burned away the cool mist, was exactly what I needed. We weren’t inside for more than a half hour, but when you were so vested in something, time slowed to a crawl. It was during that time that stress and worry and fear crept into your mind and body, wearing you down, eating and clawing at you from the inside out.

Holding the paper tightly, I let the sun’s rays warm my skin, for once thankful of the dark fabric of my dress. In the summer I loathed it because it drew in the sun. Saul stood a few feet away. “I wasn’t kidding,” he said softly.

Now that I’d made it into the rotation, the urgency of finding a husband wasn’t as severe. I had seven days before I had to begin worrying again. “I know,” I answered. “And I’m grateful, but I have a new proposal.”

He offered a lop-sided grin and stepped closer. “What’s that?”

“Let’s get to know each other better over the next week and see if you’re still interested.”

Saul nodded thoughtfully. “I accept.”

The paper in my hands rattled, drawing my attention from him. I was about to read about what was expected of me when the door of the hall swung open wide. Mary Brown filed out, then Tim, followed by the father/son pair. Everyone shook hands politely.

Tim and Mary were kind people, well-suited for each other with similar senses of humor, and obviously in love. She teased him about keeping up with her in the woods, and he suggestively indicated that he couldn’t wait to see her in “those pants” again. I made a mental note to borrow clothes from Ford. Dresses weren’t going to cut it.

Tim’s blond hair was receding and his stomach was slightly paunched. He was shorter than Saul by several inches, but his rosy cheeks and ever-present smile set me at ease immediately. I envied Mary’s shorter stature and rounded hips. Her hair was dark brown like mine, but streaked with glittering silver in a few places.

Victor Freeman and his son James had beautiful dark chocolate skin and hair. They stood tall and lean by each other’s side and wore the same serious expressions. To them, this was no game. It was no game at all.

Victor spoke up. “I think we should make a plan for tonight. We have one week and need to provide as much meat as possible to the Colony. I’ve been teaching James about snares and traps. We can set those tonight in hopes of catching game throughout the week.”

“That sounds like a great plan,” Tim offered. “We should split into groups of two to cover more ground. Saul and Porschia can head east, Mary and I will head west, and you and James can set traps to the north, carving a path between us. That may flush any animals out and send them running toward one group or the other. It’ll increase our chance for success.”

The paper in my hands began to rattle. “Is it common to split up?”

Victor shook his head. “No, but it’s been so long since a team brought enough meat to feed the entire village that it’s a necessary evil. We need to make this work.” The lines in the skin of his forehead deepened. He was right to be concerned.

Saul patted me on the back. “We’ve got the east. Right, Porsch?”

I looked at the confidence radiating from him. He stood tall and I felt sure he’d protect me even if the night-walker who escorted us wouldn’t. “Yeah,” I agreed.

The Browns and Freemans said their goodbyes and strode away toward their respective homes. Saul nudged me. “Let’s go over your list. There are some things you should know.”

In scrawling, hand-written print, the word ‘Rotation’ stared back at me.

Rotation

The rotation began when the treaty between the night-walkers and Blackwater Colony was signed. You have been chosen for the rotation. Your duties are as follows:

1. Present yourself at the pavilion before dawn and just after dusk each day of the seven day rotation. You will be partnered with a night-walker. You will provide him or her a small amount of your blood. Despite rumors you may have heard, Night-walkers do not need much to survive on. They will only take what is required, as per our treaty.

2. After you’ve provided blood in the morning, you may report to Town Hall to collect your extra food rations for the day. Please stay well nourished. This will make you and your blood healthy and desirable.

3. You will be expected to leave the Colony at night to hunt. The other members of the current rotation will go with you. A night-walker will escort and guard you, as night-walkers cannot be harmed by the Infected. As per the treaty, for another layer of protection from the Infected, you will be gifted a special ring from the night-walker with which you partner. He or she will explain the significance of the ring.

That was all the paper said. There was no information about hunting, skills that might come in handy, about the Infected, or what to do if you encountered one—nothing.

My mouth was hanging open, so Saul nudged it closed. “What questions do you have? I can see your brain working.”

“What do you do if you see an Infected?”

Saul swallowed. “Run. It’s all you can do.”

“What if they attack you?”

“You fight back and use the ring as a last resort.” Saul looked away uncomfortably.

I grabbed his arm. “You’ve encountered them?”

He nodded. “I’ve seen them, but we ran. We got away.” My sister didn’t.

“Are they terrifying like everyone says? Rotting?” I choked on the word, praying my sister wasn’t suffering.

Saul shook his head. “Mercedes wouldn’t be yet. The newly-Infected are even more frightening, though. They still look human. They’re slower than we are, but they’re much faster than an older Infected. And they still think. They smile. It’s scary as hell.”

“So, some magical ring is supposed to keep me safe? This is insane.” I wiped away the sweat that beaded on my temple.

Saul pushed a strand of hair away from my face and tucked it behind my ear like he had done it a hundred times. “It’s not the ring, it’s what the ring holds. And it isn’t magic, it’s a curse.”

“What does it hold?” I asked in a trembling voice that matched my fingers and knees.

Saul shifted on his feet and crossed his arms. “Vamp blood.”

My eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”

He shook his head slowly. “No, I’m not kidding, and if you drink it you’ll become one of them, so make sure there’s no other way. Not that I think you’ll need it. I’ll be with you. I promise to keep you safe, Porschia.”

I swallowed and nodded. It was the only way to answer. My voice would have cracked and so would I. Crying in front of Saul would have weakened me in his eyes, and I needed him to know I was strong, that he could count on me. I was glad I could count on him.

He nudged me. “Hey, want to have dinner with me tonight?”

“No,” I rushed to answer. I wouldn’t take pity food from anyone. “I’m fine.”

Saul shifted uncomfortably, shoving his fists into his pockets. “It’s not that. I just thought it would be a nice way to get to know each other.”

“Would tomorrow be okay?” I asked, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to make anything for us without the extra rations. “My family will be excited to know that I got into the rotation.” With a fake beaming smile, I pleaded with him silently to understand.

“Sure. We can eat before we have to feed the night-walkers and then we’ll be ready for the hunt.”

The thought of needle-sharp fangs biting into my flesh made my skin pebble, but I pasted on a smile and accepted the awkward hug that Saul offered in goodbye. “I have to get to work. I start my apprenticeship today.” He smiled proudly.

“Doing what?”

“Carpentry.”

“That’s wonderful, Saul!” This time, my smile was genuine. “I’m still trying to find a job that I can’t screw up, so today, I have to work for the seamstress.” I cringed, knowing that yesterday I poked my finger more than I imagined was possible in one day. Maybe I could collect the blood today and my vamp partner could drink it that way instead of...

“Have a good day. I’ll see you in the morning at the pavilion.”

“You too.” He walked away, looking back twice over his shoulder at me, a smile on his face.

Walking quickly toward Mrs. Dillinger’s shop, I tried to keep my mind from spinning. One week. One week to be fed upon, to hunt game for the Colony, to have rations, for Saul to spend time with me and decide if he really did want to marry me.
He would probably change his mind.

The few houses that weren’t needed for shelter were used for shops or storage, not that any currency was exchanged. Everyone had a job. Everyone had needs, so people used whatever skills they possessed to help their neighbors. It all came down to working for the good of the Colony. We had to help one another. Father said that since seeking refuge in Blackwater, no one had ever received word from an outside community.

The walkway to the shop was made of river stones. My boots followed them to the door where I knocked gently before entering. “Come in, Porschia.” Mrs. Margaret Dillinger worked alone. She used to take in clothes and projects from the women who could no longer sew, the arthritis having gnarled their fingers. Yesterday, I saw that hers were twisted, too. Her steps, even down the hallway, were careful and deliberate. She led me through the house and showed me everything, explaining in detail where the supplies were located. I spent much of the day either fetching those same supplies or poking holes into my fingers.