The Exiled

by Frost Kay

  Abuela locked the door and shut the curtains before striding to the footboard of her bed. “Help me with this.”

  Hazel moved the end of the old woman’s bed and helped her scooch the heavy frame away from the wall. Her jaw dropped as she spied a trapdoor in the floor. “Does that lead…?”

  “Outside of the sanctuary.” Abuela tugged on the knotted rope and opened the hatch, revealing a dark, narrow square hole that smelled of clay and mold. “I’ll go down first.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m old, not an invalid,” the wench snapped as she descended a rope ladder that swayed. “Don’t question your abuela. Just trust me.” A dull thump sounded below. “Hand me the lantern.”

  Hazel unhooked the lantern from above the bed and squatted next to the trapdoor. She lowered the lantern, illuminating the woman’s face before Abuela briskly pulled it from Hazel.

  “Follow me.”

  She swung her legs into the hole, the toes of her boots catching easily on the rungs of the ladder as she turned onto her belly and scanned the cottage one last time. A pang of sadness thrummed through her chest like a plucked guitar string.

  Matt was never going to forgive her for leaving him.

  Banishing the thought to the dark recesses of her mind, Hazel quickly climbed down and faced the tunnel. The old woman had already started moving, the lantern exposing dancing dust motes and messy spiderwebs.

  Her throat bobbed. God, she hated spiders. They were the devil’s own minions.

  A mob or spiders?

  For a minute, she actually considered facing the angry mob of Tainted.

  “Get a move on, niña.”

  Grit.

  Hazel plowed forward, thankful for the heavy boots on her feet. At least if an arachnid crawled across her foot, she wouldn’t feel it. A web brushed her face, and she almost lost it.

  “I hate spiders,” she hissed, her skin crawling.

  “Don’t mind them. They’re more scared of you than you are of them.”

  “Highly doubtful.”

  “What we need to keep an eye out for is the scorpions. They have a nasty sting. Luckily, the ones who live down here glow in the dark.”

  An image of a scorpion dropping from the ceiling and down her shirt flashed through Hazel’s mind. Naturally, she sped up, the backpack, quiver, and bow bumping against her side and spine. They walked for what seemed like an hour but was only about twenty minutes.

  The old woman stopped at the dead end and handed her the lantern. She watched with curiosity as Abuela ran her claws over the dirt wall until they caught on the edge of something.

  “Gotcha,” she muttered, pressing her needle-like claws around the edge until there was a soft click. Abuela pressed her shoulder into the wall and metal groaned, followed by a blast of air.

  Another secret door.

  Hazel handed over the lantern and ducked through the small door. Some of her tension drained away when she straightened and inhaled fresh air. A small cave surrounded them, filled with crates, scavenged parts, and an ATV.

  The old woman shut the small door and marched over to the machine. She checked the fuel and oil. “This place is not known to any but mi familia. You will take the path through the trees. Stay to the right. You should arrive at the edge of the woods by nightfall. Do not try to go further. This is lobos territory, and they’re nocturnal creatures. Get into the trees and sleep until dawn.”

  Abuela turned the key and fired it up. The old rusted ATV rumbled to life without a problem. She rounded the vehicle, grabbed a blanket from a dusty crate, and strapped it onto the back of the machine.

  “The next part of your journey will be the most dangerous. It’s mostly desert and is exposed, but there is a small river. Follow it south for two days. It will provide you with water and food if need be.” She paused and leveled a heavy look on Hazel. “I’m not so worried about the four-legged predators, niña. I am most worried about those who walk on two legs. You’ve lived in the sanctuary for months. Don’t make the mistake in thinking other Tainted are like our people, that they’re your friends. Treat everyone like your enemy.”

  “I will,” Hazel said softly. Never again would she ever blindly trust anyone. A person could be a monster, no matter how they looked.

  “I mean it. There is a colony of people out there that consider themselves purists. They believe that God spared them all those years ago and blessed them with immunity. If you come in contact with them, under no circumstances are you to speak of the Tainted. It will put your life in danger. They are fanatics about keeping their people untarnished from the wicked world around them. They preach peace and love, but they practice death and hate. In all my years, I’ve never witnessed such brutality and depravity in a group of people.”

  Hazel shivered. “I’ll avoid them to the best of my ability.”

  The old woman moved around the ATV and cupped her cheeks gently. “I don’t tell you this to scare you but to prepare you. The chances are high you will come in contact with them. Lie, cheat, steal, and kill to get away if you need to. From that point on, you’ll see blue mountains to the southeast. There is a rock that looks like a skull at the base. You’ll know it when you see it. Take the path. Your home is two days’ ride from there.”

  Tears flooded her eyes as she tried to remember each instruction. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

  “You can. You’re strong, smart, and courageous. You have fire. Burn any that get in your way.”

  A tear rolled down her cheek. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

  Abuela smiled and rubbed her thumb across Hazel’s cheek. “You’re a good girl. I’m sure your mama would be very proud.”

  Hazel flung her arms around the old woman and squeezed tight. “I’ll miss you.”

  “And I you.”

  She pulled back and wiped her face with her sleeve, grimacing at the throbbing pain.

  Abuela cracked a smile. “At least you’ll be ugly for a few more days. It will keep the wolves at bay.” She pulled two sheathed blades from the pocket of her loose dress and placed them in Hazel’s right hand. “As will these.”

  “Thank you so much,” Hazel choked out. She’d never expected such kindness and generosity. Her mind wandered back to Matt. “You’ve given me so much, but can I ask a favor?”

  “Anything.”

  “Would you tell Matt that I’m sorry.” Her eyes watered. “And that I love him?”

  Sympathy creased Abuela’s features. “Is he your mate?”

  “He was supposed to be once. He was my dearest friend.”

  “I will do it.”

  “And would you tell Noah I am so sorry about what happened?” she whispered. “I never wanted to see him hurt like that.”

  The old woman’s lips twitched in a phantom smile before she ushered Hazel to the vehicle. She swung her leg over the seat, strapped the knives to her belt, and arranged the bow and quiver until they were comfortable. She was really going home. It was unreal.

  “I put a map into your backpack in case you can’t remember all of my instructions. There’s a compass, too.” Abuela strapped a red gas can to the back of the four-wheeler. “You’ll have enough fuel to get home.”

  Hazel eyed the red can skeptically. What kind of fuel? Hopefully, not the exploding kind.

  Abuela ambled to the side and peered up at Hazel. “I would go with you if I could.”

  Her heart clenched. “I know you would.” She’d come to love the old woman.

  “In this world of ours, people come and go. We love fiercely and lose just as quickly.” The old woman’s eyes glossed over. “It’s been a pleasure to watch you find yourself. You are una hija de mi corazón.”

  A daughter of my heart.

  The old bat was going to make her ugly cry.

  She leaned down and kissed the feisty grandmother with a heart of gold on the cheek. “Hasta luego, abuelita.”

  See you soon.

  It was better than saying goodbye. Good
bye felt too permanent.

  Hazel disengaged the brake and pressed on the throttle with her thumb. She carefully maneuvered out of the cave just as the sun’s rays began to chase away the darkness. She slowed and peeked over her shoulder. Abuela stood at the mouth of the cave and waved. Her heart squeezed, and she blew the old woman a kiss before facing forward, shoulders squared and only one thought on her mind.

  It shouldn’t have been that hard to leave.

  Seventeen

  Hazel

  Hazel climbed down from the towering tree, each movement stiff, her body aching. She paused about eight feet above her covered ATV and scoured the surrounding forest through gritty, swollen eyes.

  Tall, slim trees waved in the soft morning breeze, and larks chirped happy songs to welcome the dawning of a new day. Nothing seemed out of the norm, but she pulled one of the knives Abuela had given her from its sheath just in case. Yesterday had been a cakewalk. She’d jumped at every little sound at the beginning, but nothing had even stirred. It was peaceful.

  She rolled onto her belly and wiggled backward, mindful not to let go of the weight of her backpack, quiver, and bow. Her fingers slipped on the smooth bark, and Hazel sucked in a sharp breath as she fell the last few feet. Her boots slammed down onto the seat of the vehicle, and she almost pitched over the side. Hazel steadied herself on the handlebars and shot a glare at the tree before once again examining the area.

  Still no movement.

  Some of the tension eased from her shoulders. And the forest creatures were merrily calling to each other. At least there were no lobos.

  Abuela had been right. The wolf-like pack animals had emerged from their dens as soon as the sun set. She shivered. Even now, she could hear their calls echoing in her ears, but they’d never caught her scent, thanks to the old woman’s repellant and her cough syrup.

  Hazel rubbed at her sore throat. She was damn lucky her coughing didn’t lead them right to her.

  She hopped off the ATV and replaced her blade in the sheath at her hip before pulling the camo blanket off the top of the four-wheeler, quickly folding it and stashing it on the back. It would have been nice to wrap up the night before, but it had seemed prudent to hide her mode of travel. If it was stolen, there was no telling how long it would take to get home.

  “Ouch,” she grumbled when one of the bungy cords slipped and snapped the back of her right hand.

  She shook out the stinging appendage and climbed onto the machine. Hazel pulled out her bow and an arrow from her quiver. Her nerves sprung to life as she reached for the ignition and started it, then smoothly nocked an arrow.

  Hazel waited. It was one thing to creep through the forest and another thing to ring a proverbial dinner bell. She twitched as she waited nearly five minutes. No beasties came for her. She released her breath and stowed the bow and arrow. Time to start her second day of travel.

  When she arrived at the edge of the trees, Hazel sat there for far too long. Abuela had been accurate. It was a flat desert wasteland. Anyone within a few miles would be able to see her ripping across the dirt and sand. It didn’t sit right with her to be so exposed.

  “The old woman knew what she was talking about,” she muttered to herself, her gaze straying to the far-off eastern mountains and then the small creek to her left. All she had to do was follow the creek. On the positive side, what made her journey so dangerous also made it easier for her to spot any predators—two- or four-legged—before they reached her.

  She laughed humorlessly and pressed on the throttle.

  At least there wouldn’t be any sneak attacks.

  Her ass hurt.

  Hazel wiggled in the seat and stretched her back, the quiver digging into her hip. Between her wounds from the attack and the three days of travel, she was in misery.

  She scowled at the mountains that seemed like they were shrinking instead of growing closer. The witch had said only two days on the desert flat and she was a day-and-a-half in. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her it was time for some lunch and a short stretching break.

  The ATV slowed when she eased off the throttle and angled it closer to the creek. Hazel threw on the brake and cut the ignition, the silence ringing in her ears. She groaned as she swung a leg over the seat and slid to the ground.

  Dull pain radiated through the soles of her feet and up her calves and thighs. Her legs almost buckled, and she braced her right hand on the handlebar as a charlie horse cramped her right calf.

  “Owww,” she moaned, flexing her foot to work out the cramp.

  Once the pain abated, she straightened and stripped off her bow, quiver, and backpack, leaning all three against her machine. Hazel unwrapped the scarf from around her face and slid her goggles onto the top of her head.

  She squinted into the bright light and scrubbed a hand down her face. Her nose wrinkled at the dirt and sweat mixed in a greasy, gritty mess.

  Gross.

  On wobbly legs, she slung her bow and quiver over her shoulder and traipsed to the edge of the creek. Hazel knelt by the water’s edge and sloshed water over her heated skin, a sigh escaping. She’d always loved the sun, but today it was a nuisance. It would be nice to take a bath…

  She glanced behind her and back to the water. Bathing was a bad idea, but she could at least put her feet in the cold water for a few minutes to help cool off. It wouldn’t do if she passed out from the heat.

  Hazel plopped down on a smooth rock and stripped her boots and socks off. A smile curled her lips when her feet slid into the cool water. Damn, that felt good. She wiggled her toes, yanked her scarf off, and leaned closer, dipping the fabric into the water. Hazel wrung out the excess and shivered when she wrapped it around her head and neck, immediately cooling.

  Now, this is the life.

  Her stomach growled, but she ignored it. There would be time to eat on the way. She was going to soak up every bit of rest she could. Hazel lazily moved her feet through the clear water and wiggled her toes. She stiffened when a flicker of movement caught her gaze near her left foot. She squinted at the rocks beneath the water and scarcely breathed as she waited. Had she imagined it?

  It moved again.

  Her pulse picked up and whooshed in her ears as she spotted the water snake. He sported a diamond-shaped head and black beady eyes, but that wasn’t what terrified her. It was his skin that seemed to change with the water around him.

  A Tainted beast.

  Fear unlike anything she’d felt before assaulted her. It was one thing to think you were going to be eaten, a whole different matter to be infected.

  She slowly inched her hand to the blade at her hip, the hilt settling in her sweaty palm. Her mind screamed to yank her legs away, but Hazel knew that would be a mistake. If he struck, she wouldn’t be able to avoid it. He was too fast.

  Palming the blade, she contemplated her choices. She could try to pin him with the blade or go for a distraction. Her aim was good, and she didn’t want to scare him into an attack. Hazel inhaled deeply and focused on the beast.

  You can do this.

  She didn’t question herself. She threw the dagger and simultaneously threw herself backward and scrambled to her feet. Her foot stung, but she didn’t stop to examine it as she back-peddled, pulling an arrow and her bow from her back. The snake jerkily slithered from the water, its scales shimmering and reflecting the light around it to camouflage it with its new surroundings. Her knife stuck out from its hide just behind its head.

  Unbelievable.

  The snake opened its mouth, exposing two-inch fangs and spat as she loosed an arrow that imbedded in its skull, pinning it to the ground. Green mucus spattered over her arms, chest, and cheeks. Hazel snapped her mouth closed and dropped her bow and quiver, carefully removing her shirt from her body. Panic thundered in her chest as she used the inside to wipe her face and arms, then tossed the soiled fabric as far away as she could.

  Her gaze darted back to the snake which writhed but was slowly dying. She edged around the four-fo
ot-long beastie and dropped to her knees by the creek. She scanned the water for more snakes while she scrubbed at her skin viciously with a handful of sand.

  Could she get sick from venom alone on her skin? She didn’t know.

  Hazel scrubbed until her skin turned an angry red and began to bleed. Shaking, she backed away from the water and collected her socks and boots on the way.

  Bare-chested and bleeding, she scurried back to the ATV, threw on another shirt, her socks and boots, and retrieved the bow and arrow. Her attention moved back to Abuela’s blade sticking from the snake. She needed it. Leaving a weapon was not an option.

  She crept around the beast and approached from behind. Her skin crawled as she darted closer and grabbed her blade. Her stomach rolled at the sight of the blood coating the blade. Hazel moved to the water, careful not to touch any of the blood as she rinsed her weapon.

  That was way too close.

  Hazel flicked the water off the blade and faced her ATV. Her brows furrowed as she noticed a dirt cloud in the distance. It wasn’t windy, so that meant…

  “You’ve got to be freaking kidding me…” she snarled and shoved the blade back into the sheath. It wasn’t enough that a Tainted snake almost bit her, but now enemies of the two-legged variety? “Crap, crap, crap,” she muttered.

  She started the four-wheeler and yanked her backpack on, her focus pinned to the newcomers. Could she outrun them? Unlikely.

  Her gaze narrowed and her lips thinned. Four machines. Just perfect. There was only one option.

  To fight.

  Hazel rewrapped her scarf and covered her face, then lowered her goggles. Best hide the fact she was a woman. The baggy tunic-style shirt would hide her chest, but she couldn’t do anything about her height.

  She moved behind her machine to use it as cover and loaded her bow, standing ready.

  “No one is your friend. Everyone is your enemy,” Abuela’s words echoed through her mind.