SAFE

by Dawn Husted

  We followed Lucan until we came to his duffel bag hiding in between two trees where he stashed it during the ambush. Lucan tossed James a gun and we ran towards the direction of the perimeter.

  When we finally reached the large wall, Lucan stopped and stared at the vastness.

  “So what now?” I asked.

  “Now, I get to work.” He opened his duffel and pulled out a slender, black, hard case. When he opened it, it was filled with tools. Some of them were slim and silver with a sharp curved edge, others blunt and round like, and there were a few pliers as well. On top of all the tools was a bundle of neatly organized, multicolored wiring.

  “What are you using that for?” asked James.

  “I’ll explain to you later. Right now, I need to focus or we’ll lose our only chance.” Lucan concentrated as he unrolled a long, red wire and grabbed a pair of small, needle nose pliers. Then he turned around and walked against the wall to the right, tenderly moving his palm against the side.

  I looked at James, neither of us having any idea what Lucan was doing.

  He took another step and we heard the sound of a click come from below his boot. He pressed down with more force against the ground and a rectangular section eight-inches wide popped out from the wall of the perimeter. Lucan placed his hands around the rectangle and twisted the handle to the right, clicking it into place. Then he took his foot off the ground and faced the wall. The rectangle area was a disguised shield for what laid underneath—an electronic screen.

  “This is where it’s gonna get tricky,” Lucan warned.

  Once he took off the exterior wall plate, he was left with a translucent tablet similar to what the doctors had back in the Colony.

  “As soon as I detach the top, I suspect I’ll only have a few seconds to disarm it before the door locks permanently. So be quiet.”

  I looked, but didn’t see the door.

  Lucan gently popped off the top of the tablet, exposing tiny, hair-like wires attaching the two. Then he used his pliers to reach in between the small space as he bent over and grabbed the other wires from his pocket. From there, I couldn’t see what he did next.

  “Okay, cross your fingers.” He pressed together the top and bottom parts of the screen, making it one again and proceeded to tap a few buttons. Immediately, a door seven-feet high lifted from the wall and slid quietly open.

  “How did you do that?” I exclaimed.

  “Cross—your—fingers?” James asked.

  “Let’s hurry, I still have to close it,” Lucan ordered. He ran over, grabbed his duffel bag, and then they ran to the other side. I was still on James’ back, and the dog followed fast.

  I was more than a bit surprised to see… well… nothing. There was merely grass on the opposite side of the perimeter. Of course, the woods were still there. But there were no death traps waiting for intruders. Nothing but the trees, the perimeter, and now us.

  “I don’t understand,” I said, looking around. The wall curved slightly, encasing the outer areas of where everyone lived. There was no sign of an ocean, but I knew if we kept hiking we’d come across it at some point. However, I had no idea when. I worked in a tall building, but there wasn’t much to see and the Academy blocked the only view to the port. The perimeter was placed such a distance away from everyone, that neither I, nor anyone I’d ever known, had been near it.

  Once we cleared the door, there was an electronic screen on the opposite side, same as before, but this time there wasn’t any need to step on a button for it to appear. Lucan walked over, opened it the same way, and pressed a few buttons, closing the door securely back into place. The screen he typed on freely moved back in its fortified hole, pulling away from Lucan’s hands. Both the door and screen camouflaged themselves within the exterior. The perimeter wall was once again one complete, solid mass, stories high in the sky.

  Then Lucan reached into his bag, pulled out a small, square device, and told us to run as he threw it against the wall. He dashed towards the tree line and we quickly followed.

  “Close your ears!” he shouted, bending down behind a wide, grey trunk.

  Suddenly, the sound of a huge explosion pulsated my vision. My ears rang a deafening high pitch—I heard nothing else. I looked over James’ shoulder as he held my weight and his senses appeared fine. His hands were not tugging on his ears like mine were and his head was not shaking, struggling to put the puzzled ground back into place. I moved my jaw around, easing the ringing effect and in an effort to make my ears pop with clarity.

  Lucan ran back in the direction of the perimeter and I locked my arms tighter around James, following behind him. As we came closer to the wall, a four-foot-wide dent barely cratered the solid mass. However, the electronic box hung from wires, dangling from its secret spot, and disabled.

  “Now that should block anyone from following us,” Lucan said, smiling.

  “How do you know that’s the only door?” James asked.

  I could barely hear them speak and mainly focused on the movements of their mouths, matching it with the muted words.

  “Believe me, I’ve inspected every area of the perimeter, at least as far as I was able to without being detected, and I never came across any other switches in the ground.”

  I began questioning if this was Lucan’s first time leaving the perimeter.

  Chapter Ten

  Although the keypad to the perimeter door was damaged by the blast, blocking anyone from crossing where we did, we weren’t out of danger yet. We needed to keep going, but there was no need to sprint like before.

  Our location was new to all three of us. We had no idea how far or in what direction the ocean was. James made the decision to head north and walk one way without veering off in either direction. Lucan and I both agreed with the plan and we started our journey. I hoped by the time we reached the end of our Land, there would be a better game plan in regards to crossing the water, not exactly sure how we planned to do so.

  Currently, the sun sat in the west, our right, which meant we needed to go straight. As we walked, I didn’t see much difference from this side of the perimeter to our side. The only change was the animal life. In the Colony, animals were bred in specific buildings, the majority of them cloned mainly for food consumption. The only live animals I’d ever seen outside the breeding grounds were birds and anything else that could fly, migrating from Land to Land. We were told not to touch the birds, especially if any were found dead for fear of transmitting a new disease.

  Within half an hour of hiking, I counted dozens of squirrels, varying in shades of brown and gray, and a few cottontail bunnies hopped across the path we walked on, startled by our presence. Lucan shot one, putting the meat in a bag for later consumption. It was a gross process watching him skin the poor bunny, seeing the blood all over his hands. However, it was necessary and neither James nor I had been taught how to hunt, let alone skin an animal. It was not the purpose of our vocation back in the Colony. Lucan was kind and eager enough to give us a quick tutorial.

  Even the birds seemed more plentiful on this side of the perimeter, either that, or I was becoming more observant due to our situation. Every twig that snapped while we walked, or rustling in the bushes, made me apprehensive, causing me to search constantly for any sign of human life—guards.

  Yet, every breath I breathed felt cleaner. I was sure the change in the oxygen was all in my head.

  Either way, one thing was for sure, I had never seen this much wildlife before—ever.

  All of a sudden, James broke the pleasant silence. “Lucan, stop.”

  Lucan twisted around on his feet, facing us.

  “I have to know. How did you know what you were doing back there? Who gave you the guns in your duffel? The explosives?” James rubbed the back of his neck. “Don’t give me some crap about how you’re just helping us out of the kindness of your heart.”

  “Look, I told you, I have my own reasons and I don’t feel like it’s any of your business. As for the wiri
ng back on the perimeter wall, I taught myself how to disassemble the DNA mechanisms on the guns a long time ago. It’s called practice. And how did I acquire the guns? I have my connections, not all of the guards are as anal about following protocol as you are. Some know they’ll never move up in rank. They know where they are is as much as they’re going to achieve. And the gun that’s in your hand, well, that one is from the trunk of the car you drove two nights ago. We all had a hand in taking the car apart, stripping it down to every mechanism and robotic piece controlling it. It’s the best way to gather supplies, allowing me to rebuild parts into whatever I want without anyone knowing otherwise.”

  “Okay, let’s say I believe you, which I don’t. How did you know about the perimeter door and how to open it? Have you done it before?” James asked.

  Lucan paused before answering as he studied the look on James’ face. “Well, that got a little trickier.” His palm rubbed nervously over his mouth. “I had never actually opened it before, nobody has. In fact, I never told anyone about the door, so I’m pretty sure I’m the only one that even knows it exists.”

  “You mean that you let us follow you without technically knowing if it was going to work? What an idiot!” James shouted, pacing. I grasped my arms around his neck tighter, holding on while he vehemently shook his hands in the air.

  “Well this i-d-i-o-t saved both your lives. So you’re welcome,” Lucan grinned. Then he turned around and walked pass James, bumping into him in the process as he continued hiking.

  “Look, he’s right. We had no other choice. What were we going to do without him? He gave us our only option and it worked, even if it was an educated guess. Not just that, but he did save our lives. So can’t we call it even and be nice?” I whispered to James. “This is getting old. We can trust him, I feel it.” I knew that last part would eat away at him. However, this time I wasn’t trying to make him jealous. I really felt we could trust Lucan. And I knew James would too if he would just think sensibly.

  “Fine, whatever. Let’s just keep going,” he said.

  We hiked for a couple more hours, up and down hills and around marshy areas, taking few breaks in between. The mud on my face was as hard as rock and my clothes stiff from the gunk. The sun finally began to set more and we found a spot to camp for the night, next to a stream of water.

  James gathered wood for the fire, something I desperately needed with the cold night falling fast. Goose bumps rose all over my skin. I felt them but didn’t dare chance looking at them, accidentally showing the true appearance of my skin. The only thought on my mind now was changing into clean clothes and as much as I didn’t want to, wiping off the stiffening mud imprisoning my every move and facial expression. It was itchy too.

  For minutes, I went back and forth in my head with the decision on whether or not to tell them. I finally decided. What was the worst that could happen? We were stuck in this together now.

  “Hey guys, I’m going to wash up,” I said. My ankle was in heaps of pain, but not near as much as before. Staying off it all day helped tremendously. James offered to come with, but I told him no. I really wanted some alone time and then I’d show them when I was ready.

  I grabbed my pack and hobbled off to the right into the woods. I couldn’t go far with my ankle. The soothing sound of the stream was nearby and the woods were quiet, serene. If it wasn’t for being on the run, the situation would be completely relaxing. I sat down on a small rock outside the stream and took off my boots, then I let the cool water rush over my feet and in between my toes. The water was the perfect temp for my ankle.

  “Are you okay?” James yelled.

  “Yes, just stay there. I’m fine,” I hollered back.

  My clothes were horribly dingy and desperately needed a wash with fresh water. I stood up, carefully distributed my weight, hobbled into the shallow stream, and laid down. The dog appeared from the trees and trotted over to me. The icy water felt like tiny knives sticking me all over, but after a few minutes, my body became used to the temperature and I relaxed with my hands out to the side. I knew a warm fire would be waiting for me back at the camp. The dog sat beside me and began to splash about. The mud clinging to her fur came off in chunks, floating down stream. The moonlight reflected off the water, flowing over the small rocks bubbling the surface.

  I leaned over and took my shirt off. Splashing the water over my arms, I rubbed the mud from my hands. I scrubbed my face, neck, and rolled around a few times, not caring that I looked funny—nobody was watching. After a few more minutes, I crawled back to the embankment. When I packed my clothes at home, I had no idea the reason my mom had demanded me to do so. And unfortunately, I grabbed a short-sleeve breezy top along with a pair of pants. My jacket was drenched with water after all the mud washed off and I rung it out with the rest of my clothes the best I could. Then I quietly hobbled back to the campsite, wearing the clean clothes from my pack.

  As I hobbled closer to the camp, Lucan and James were sitting on opposite sides of the fire. I knew there would be no mistaking what they saw once I came into view. The fire was bright, lighting up the entire camping area. I decided the best way to show them was a direct approach and walked straight up to the fire without hesitation. My teeth chattered and I folded my arms over one another, carrying a wet ball of clothes. I prepared myself for what was ahead and hobbled closer. When I reached the fire, neither of them looked at me and I bent down and laid my clothes across the ground.

  At first, the radiating heat from the fire felt like I was being burned from such a drastic difference in temperature and then gradually my hands and arms became warmer. I could finally feel my lips. My jaw no longer clenched tight, allowing me to hold a conversation without the constant chattering of teeth.

  I looked over to my left. James was staring at me, his mouth wide open, large enough for an entire apple.

  “Is that paint?” he asked.

  I shook my head.

  He slowly walked over and proceeded to tug at my cheeks and rub my arms. Then he lifted my shirt and ran his hands over my vineless stomach. “But how?” he asked taking a few steps back—away from me.

  The look on his face wasn’t one of curiosity—it was fear. He was scared of me.

  “What did your people do to her?” he yelled at Lucan.

  Lucan didn’t reply.

  “They didn’t do anything to me, James,” I said, offended and hurt. I told him about my theory, not even a theory, more of a guess. “Look, my father and mother already had Madeline taken away from them. Is it such a far leap to think I was born without vines too and that he would’ve given me the same medication he gave Sidnee and the others? Can you blame him?”

  “But… but… that means you’re sick. Will you get me sick? Wait, no, I didn’t mean that. I just meant, I don’t know. I don’t know what to think—” James continued stumbling over his words.

  “I don’t have all the answers either. I don’t feel sick. I’m not sure anymore, if it works that way. I mean think about it… If the pills my dad had been giving me only created the appearance of vines, then I would’ve died a long time ago if in fact I had been sick. And I’m still here.” As I talked, I debated the notion in my own head—finally not as scared to contemplate the question. “I’m pretty sure now that the vitamins I took on a daily basis must have included one of those pills. That’s the only way I never would’ve asked any questions…”

  James wasn’t looking at me anymore, his eyes focusing off into the space around me.

  I looked over at Lucan and he tugged off a portion of cooked rabbit with his teeth. “Do you want some?” He held up a piece in the air towards me.

  I was puzzled. “Aren’t you afraid of me too? What if I’m contagious?” I asked.

  “Ahhh, that doesn’t scare me. I know the rumors and heard the adults talking when I was younger. It’s hard keeping secrets inside the Lowers. Either way, none of those kids ever got anyone sick so I’m not worried about it. You want some?” he asked again.


  I shook my head in disbelief at his acceptance.

  Food. I hadn’t dug into the bottom compartment of my pack yet, and I remembered my mom putting food in there. “It’s okay. I think I have something. But thanks for offering.”

  James was no longer staring into space. Instead, he turned his gaze onto the fire. I walked over, sat down next to him, and grabbed my pack. There weren’t many pockets for items, and after a little searching, I found a bag of dried cranberries. “Do you want some?” I asked James.

  He didn’t respond.

  He needed time. Time to process all of this—me. And I decided to give it to him by moving down closer to the fire. Instead, the dog and I shared a handful of the red berries by ourselves.

  That night Lucan and James took turns watching while I slept. I offered to help, but they both insisted, saying that I didn’t have the capabilities to hear someone coming from a distance. And they were right. The dog cuddled up next to me and the fire kept us warm. For a while I stared at the blanket of stars covering the sky and then fell asleep.

  That night, I had many dreams, but couldn’t recall the details of them once I woke. The specifics from the night before forcibly flooded my mind as soon as my eyelids opened and I immediately remembered where I was. The situation of me, of everything, tugged at my chest and I wished I was home again. I looked to the side and around the smoldering fire, the dog was gone—James too. Lucan was the only one there.

  “Where’s James?” I asked.

  “He’ll be back; he just went to take a leak.” He finished stuffing his duffel bag with the sun blanket and tossed dirt on the fire. “Stop worrying about him. He’ll get over it and realize you’re still the same Penny.”

  My parents always told me I wore my emotions on my face, never leaving them to guess how I was feeling. I suppose they were right. Lucan answered the lingering question that was in my head. “Thanks, Lucan.” I smiled.