Out There (15 page)

“Just what?”

“People tiptoe around me all the time, like walking on eggshells. They're all so afraid of saying something that might make the baby suddenly combust inside of me. I feel like people think I might break any second.”

“It's a bit like that at school. The girls that aren't eligible barely talk to the ones that are because they're so afraid of us suddenly becoming unfit to do our duties. Like I would really be so scarred by something someone says.”

“Yeah. I mean it's a wonderful feeling this whole baby thing. I just want some space.”

“From people?”

“No.”

“Then from what?”

“From their expectations.”

Later that afternoon I was sitting in motherhood class once again when the intercom beeped.

“Hello, if you haven't already guessed, it's Donna Hart. Katelyn Rose just did a series of tests today, which she passed with flying colours and we look forward to submitting a photo of the foetus to every intercom soon so you can all take a look at the first baby girl. She's truly beautiful and all of our hearts are with Katelyn now. Have a good day.”

All the girls turned to each other and started giggling about the baby and how exciting it was that there were going to be children running around. But I was completely stunned. Mother had just announced to the entire community that Katelyn had shown positive – no, perfect – test results when I knew for a fact that it was a lie. A lie. Lying went against the Oath. Lying was unheard of. Except for the occasional tiny stretches of the truth, that even I made, no one lied in our community ever. So why then?

Straight after school I hurried back to the Reproduction Centre to visit Katelyn again. She was jogging on the treadmill as I walked into her room.

“Hey, how was school?”

“OK,” I said and threw my bag down on the chair. “Nice to see you getting some exercise.”

“I do every day, it's just usually while you're at school.” “Right. How're you feeling?”

“Fine,” she replied as she wiped some sweat off her forehead. I looked over at my friend. She was rather skinny and very pale, not rosy-cheeked at all.

“So I was thinking about the forest today,” she said over her shoulder.

“Oh really?” I got up and closed the door. “Go on.”

“Well, we haven't been back in a while and I'd really like to go.”

“You think they'll let you?”

“Of course not. I want you to sneak me out.”

“Sneak you out! Are you crazy?”

“Come on Ava, it'll be fun.”

“That's my line. I thought you found the forest too risky and dangerous and…”

“And adventurous! And exciting! Ava, I haven't left this room in four days. I haven't even gone across the hall!”

“How about we secretly go and take a walk in the park?”

“No! That's not the point.”

“Please, enlighten me.”

“You know how you always order the special?”

“Uhuh…”

“You do it because you want a taste of adventure or a chance to try something new, right? Well, that's what I want, to step out of my comfort zone.”

“Personally, I think we should remain in our comfort zones. You know, for safety.”

“Ava, you can't stop me.”

“Oh great,” I said and flopped on to her bed.

“So are you in?”

I sat up. “Why the sudden interest in the forest?”

“It's not the forest exactly, it's just that I feel like doing something exciting. It's so boring around here.”

Honestly, I knew better than anyone what that was like. Were the fresh green treetops and breathtaking sky showers not calling my name too? Of course they were. But maybe it was the fact that I could almost see my dear friend's ribcage poking out through her shirt that held me back. Then again, maybe a change of scenery would help her stay strong. I groaned and fell back on the bed. “Fine! Because I'm such a great friend.”

Katelyn leapt off the treadmill and ran over to hug me. “Thank you, thank you Ava!”

“Anything for you.”

She smiled at me then her face twisted and she put one hand to her stomach and the other on the side of the bed to steady herself. She looked in pain as she bowed her head and moaned.

“Katelyn, are you all right?”

She waved her hand at me and said, “I'm fine.”

“You don't look fine, maybe we shouldn't go.”

“No. We're going. Just give me a second.” Slowly she stood up straight, with one hand still on her stomach. “There,” she said with a smile, “good as new. So when do we leave?”

Later that night, I was crouching behind the row of hedges in front of the Centre waiting for the lights on Katelyn's floor to go out. After about twenty minutes there was darkness and I slowly crawled out from my hiding spot and tiptoed over to the front door. I pulled on the handle but it was locked.

That was strange. No one ever locked their doors.

I peered round the corner but there were no other doors, only windows.
Windows!
One window was at the perfect height for me to reach and open slightly, so I walked over to it and gripped the ledge with my hands. Using all the force I could muster, I pushed myself up and locked my arms so my feet weren't touching the ground. Then I swung one leg over to bend on the ledge and rested my weight on it. After checking my balance, I slipped my hands underneath the open window and pushed it up to be fully open. I swung my other leg so it was in the dark room and jumped to land on the floor.

The place was completely deserted and almost pitch-black. Luckily I was used to it after sitting out in the dark for so long. After wandering down several random hallways, I eventually found the one that led to the staircase. I gripped the railing and followed it up until I was at the end of the hallway that led to Katelyn's room. Before I could take another step though, a light went on. I slammed myself against a pillar so as not to be seen. Jennifer Rose came scampering out of the lit room and ran over to check on her daughter next door. I let out a deep breath and noticed that my hand hurt a bit from the force of my movement.

After what felt like forever, Jennifer returned to her own room and turned off her light. I waited another ten minutes then slowly walked over to Katelyn's room while keeping my back pressed flat against the wall. Once I reached her door, I checked to see if her mother was asleep. Her snores echoed from her room acting as my cue to gently open Katelyn's door and sneak inside.

“Katelyn?” I whispered.

“Ava?”

I followed her voice and ducked behind her bed. “Where is everyone?”

“Some of them go home but many stay overnight in the staff rooms on the third floor.”

“Oh. What did your mother want?”

“She does this every night,” she sighed. “She comes in to see if I'm OK. Tonight she said she had a dream that I was falling.”

“Falling from what?”

“I don't know.”

“So are you ready to go?”

She whipped off the blankets to reveal that she was wearing her normal clothes. “Ready.”

I giggled quietly and said, “This is so bad.”

“What rebels we are!”

“Let's go, we need to sneak out of the window,” I said as I helped her out of bed.

“What about the front door?” she asked.

I slowly opened the door to her room and we slipped into the hallway. “It was locked,” I replied.

“Locked?” She stopped.

I grabbed her hand and dragged her out of sight from Jennifer's room. “Yes, locked.”

“That's impossible.”

“Well then, impossible has just been given a new definition.” We continued down the hallway and the stairs until we reached the room with the open window.

“So they locked me in?” Katelyn said with disgust.

“I'm sure it was for another reason,” I said as I hoisted my legs over the windowsill.

“Like what? No one locks their doors; people did that before when there was a chance of being robbed. No one robs anyone any more.”

“Maybe they don't want people trying to visit you in the night,” I said. I jumped and landed on the ground below.

“That's not a good enough reason,” she replied and looked out of the window down at where I was standing. “Wait, you want me to jump?”

“That's the plan.”

“What if the baby gets squished?”

“It won't. Here, I'll catch you if that makes you feel better.”

She nodded.

“You can do it, Katelyn.”

Slowly she swung her legs so they were dangling out of the window. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

Katelyn squeezed her eyes shut and jumped right into my arms. I stumbled a bit and then fell backwards with her on top of me. “Good thing you weigh nothing.”

“Yeah, but technically I am two people,” she said with a grin and got off me.

Katelyn held out her hand to me and soon we were both on our feet.

“Oh my goodness! We did it!” Katelyn threw her arms in the air and laughed.

“You bet we did!”

The two of us started to dance in a circle, squealing and laughing.

“Wait, someone will hear us,” Katelyn said, throwing her hand over my mouth.

“Let's celebrate in silence.” My voice sounded muffled through her hand.

“What?” She removed her hand.

“I said let's celebrate quietly.”

“OK,” she whispered.

And the dancing continued, minus the sound of course. Katelyn and me, laughing silently in the cool night air. It brought back memories of the night four months earlier when we sang at the Election. Katelyn's golden curls streaming from behind her as she danced, belting out every note beautifully. It was one of those moments when I just felt this surge of undying love for my best friend. I knew in my heart that she was the most precious thing in the world to me and I would never let her go. I guessed that in that wonderful silent dance I formed a goal in my mind to hold her hand tighter during the next five months, to make her world even more exciting and vibrant, to find even more ways to make her laugh, to be her voice whenever she needed me. I made my own little oath to protect her with every bone, muscle and nerve in my body. Then right as I promised that to myself, the world shattered into a thousand pieces.

Even in the darkness I saw the colour drain from her face. She clutched her hand to her stomach and gripped my arm with so much strength I thought she punctured my jacket with her nails. It was all in slow motion. She stumbled to the ground, landing on her knees and dragging me down with her. Her whole body was shaking violently and I just stared at her, paralysed. Every breath was heavy and she gripped me so hard that I saw my own hand turn white.

Then she jolted like a wave of pain just ran up her body and let out an unbearable scream. She rolled on to the ground and curled herself up into a ball, breathing heavily.

“Katelyn! Katelyn say something!” I could barely hear my own voice my ears were pounding so hard.

“Please Katelyn, please!”

I looked around to see if anyone saw. “Hello! Help! Help!” I screamed.

No one answered and Katelyn kept shaking all over and groaning with pain. Then she looked up at me, her eyes were pouring tears and her face was ghostly. She gave me a look so innocent and helpless that it made my heart burst.

“Help me,” she wheezed.

Then something clicked. I pulled myself to my feet and ran over to the window. There was a rush of energy in me and I leapt into the air and caught the ledge with both hands, pulling myself through the window.

“Help! Help!” I ran towards the stairs and kept running all the way to the third floor.

It was similar to the second, with rows of rooms each labelled with someone's name. I ran down the hall, skimming the names, until I saw ‘Karen'. I banged hard on the door and shouted, “Open the door! Katelyn's in trouble!”

I kept slamming my fist at the wood until it opened and I almost fell inside.