“I can’t leave him here. I have to try.”
She looked down the corridor and he could imagine her fear, her hesitation. But she straightened her spine and nodded. “Let me go. I will distract them and you can go inside and get your son.”
“No. Not an option,” he said, taking her hand and leading her down the hall.
She was right, there was something going on down here. Light poured into this corridor from another hallway at the far end. Sound of talking came from there, then a shrill laugh that made Rowan stop. Silas glanced at her, recognizing who was laughing. Looking behind her he chose another dark corridor and pushed her into it.
“You wait here for me. Watch for us,” he whispered.
She nodded, her eyes wide with worry. Taking a moment to pull her in for one tight hug, he kissed her forehead for a long moment, closing his eyes, savoring the scent and warmth of her. Perhaps his last. He steeled himself then and turned to go without looking back. He was nearly to the corridor when the sudden sound of movement, of heavy footsteps moving fast sounded. He made it out of sight just in the nick of time when six guards turned the corner and marched down the hallway. They went in the opposite direction but he waited all the same, not taking a chance on being caught when he was so close. Only when the corridor was silent again did he turn to walk out and it was then that he was met with a hard knock to his back propelling him forward, barely giving him time to catch his breath when the men who had attacked him rushed him, tackling him before he could make a move.
More soldiers came then as the fighting began. Silas threw one off only to have another come at him, more footsteps rushing toward him as commands were called out. Something hard pounded against his chest, knocking the breath from him, sending him back a few steps. A jolt of electricity at his neck accompanied by another jab with the stick and Silas stumbled, losing his vision for a moment. Someone caught him before he hit the ground, or some ones as he felt more than one set of hands on him.
“That was too easy,” came the captain’s voice. Silas looked up, his vision blurred. “Find the breeder. We lost her signal not five minutes ago.”
Lost her signal? That could only happen when there was no heartbeat. He made a sound but seemed to have lost all control over his muscles because even raising his arm was a feat. He managed to grab one of the guards but the other only kicked him hard in the ribs. That combined with the electricity zap almost knocked him unconscious. He opened his eyes, or tried to, but everything was spinning.
“Don’t knock him out, I want him awake for this. Now bring me the fucking breeder,” Captain Amro ordered.
* * *
Rowan squeezed her wrist, blood poured from it even as she had tried not to cut the artery. It had been impossible though. It was the only way to get the tracking device out. They knew what they were doing, why they implanted it where they did. That was how it worked, how they knew when a heart stopped beating.
She tore a piece from her dress and wrapped it around her wrist, hoping to at least slow the bleeding until she could get to Silas. What she was going to do she had no idea, but she just needed to get to him, to help him. She was losing so much blood though. She hadn’t realized it would go so quickly.
Soldiers ran past her hiding place and once they were gone, she padded down the hall to where she could hear Captain Amro speak. But it wasn’t only him she heard. Commander Norrin’s voice came too, it was weakened, but still, even in that state, she feared it. But Captain Amro—his was shrill, almost wild. Had he come undone?
“Show me my boy,” Silas said.
He too sounded weaker and she could hear the effort it took for him to speak.
“In time, savage. First, you can bear witness to the death of a great ruler,” Captain Amro said.
There was a struggle, men fighting again. Rowan reached the corner and took tentative steps to the door where the sound was coming from. It was now or never. She leaned her head as far as she had to and peeked in to find Silas held by two men, his body slumping a little. They’d done something to him, she just didn’t know what or how long it would last. Across from him stood Commander Norrin bound to the bars of the cell. Next to him stood two guards, one of whom was Commander Norrin’s personal guard. Were they all working for Captain Amro now?
“I know it’s primitive,” Captain Amro said, brandishing a long, sharp dagger, the blade of which doubled what Rowan held in her hand. “But I thought for you, our brave, fearless leader…” He walked closer to Commander Norrin and held the blade to his neck. “Perhaps a slow death is best,” he said, a calculated move causing Commander Norrin to flinch as Captain Amro nicked his shoulder, tearing his uniform, making blood pour down the front of it. “A death of a thousand cuts: now it has been a while since we’ve seen one so severe. Too bad it won’t be a public execution.”
“Because the people will not stand for it. They will kill you.”
“They will fear me. They already do,” he said with another slice of the knife. Silas tugged and she turned to him, his eyes met hers in that instant and he shook his head, warning her to run. She turned back to the others though, readied her knife and, before she lost too much blood to be of any use, she rushed into the room and buried the dagger to the hilt in the captain’s back.
He fell forward, driving the knife he held into one of the soldiers holding Norrin in place. The soldier’s eyes widened as he held Captain Amro’s slumped body before they both fell to their knees. Rowan joined him there, her own loss of blood too great.
“I’m sorry,” she said, turning to Silas, squeezing her wrist where the white cloth was drenched in thick red that dripped over her hand and onto the floor.
“Rowan!” Silas tore himself free of the men who held him, and with a strength fueled by desperation, hurled the two into the opposite wall before attacking Norrin with a violent roar to match that of a wild animal.
Rowan was fading, her vision blurred now, but before she fell, Silas knelt beside her and caught her face in his hands as she slumped forward into his chest. “Rowan.” This one was a whisper. He turned her face up to his and though her vision was blurred, she looked at him for what she was sure would be the last time. There was a scream then and she thought it might have been Silas but her own eyes closed and her body went limp. She never even felt herself hit the cold, bloodied floor.
Chapter Sixteen
“Rowan,” Silas whispered, cradling her head to his chest.
Footsteps of what sounded like a hundred men came toward them and Silas began to rise, pushing the one remaining guard away while trying to lift her in his arms. The guard didn’t fight him, didn’t even hold his weapon to him.
“You need to get her to medical,” he said, his expression not what Silas expected.
Soldiers entered, weapons drawn.
“Hold your fire,” the one who had witnessed the murders called out. More running and a man in a uniform different from the others rushed in, weapon ready. He took in the scene, the bloodied, lifeless bodies of Amro and Norrin, the guards who were not dead but passed out. He then looked at Rowan’s limp body.
“He’s right, you have to get her to medical,” he said, approaching.
“Don’t touch her!” Silas countered, shoving him when he tried to. “I’ll kill anyone who touches her.”
“We’re from the settlements. We’re with the resistance,” the man said, putting his weapon away and holding up both hands as if in surrender. “We mean you no harm and she hasn’t got much time. “
Silas looked at them, unsure but knowing the man was right, she did not have much time.
“Bring her yourself then but you need to seal the wound or she’ll die.”
Silas nodded, and with one hand closed tightly around her tiny wrist, followed the men out into the corridor.
“Pick those up,” the leader said, referring to the bodies of Norrin and Amro. “Take them outside, to the platform. We will display them, announce our victory. You six, go with him. Tak
e them to medical.”
With that, Silas was led to a room similar to the first one where he had watched Rowan’s examination. Once there, two doctors stood, startled at the intrusion. Silas lay her down on the examination table.
“Do what you need to do to make sure she lives,” said the guard who had witnessed Rowan kill Amro and him attack Norrin. He aimed his weapon at the doctors. “If she doesn’t make it, neither do you.”
The doctors went pale and were inactive for a moment. Then one moved to pick up Rowan’s wrist. “She removed her tracking device,” one of them said. “Fool.”
“Sew her up and get some blood into her! I mean it, if she dies, so do you.”
“Thank you,” the man said to Silas once the doctors began their work.
Silas looked at him, this young soldier, and nodded, but turned quickly back to watch as the doctors worked on Rowan. All he wanted was to get his family back and to go home. To live in peace. Perhaps that peace was now within reach.
* * *
Rowan’s wrist throbbed. She opened her eyes slowly, the overhead light coming into focus as she did. She turned her head, recognizing where she was, panicking for a moment until she felt Silas’ hand slide into hers.
“How do you feel?” he asked.
“My wrist hurts but otherwise, I’m ok. What happened?”
“How much do you remember?”
“I remember pushing the knife into the captain’s back,” she said flatly. She still remembered the feel of it, the force it took and how, after the initial tear, it had slid easily between his ribs. “I remember you attacking Commander Norrin. Are they dead?”
Silas nodded once.
“Good,” she said, although she didn’t feel good.
“The rebels have taken over this colony and the others are under attack. With Commander Norrin dead, they will be victorious,” he said with a small smile.
She nodded but there was something more important. “And your son?”
“He’s being brought here.”
He looked happy, his face relaxed for the first time since she had known him. She was almost afraid to ask the next question. “What’s going to happen now?” Would she be sent back to the breeder facility? Would he go back to his village, his people?
“Once Tobias is returned, we will be free to return to the village.”
“What? I don’t understand.” Surely they weren’t simply releasing her?
“If you’d like to, that is. I’d like for you to come home with me and my son. You’re free to decide, Rowan. You can remain here or make a new life with us as a family.”
“It’s my choice?”
“Over the last year, the settlements have been joining, preparing for this rebellion. Captain Amro knew of and counted on the unrest, but he miscalculated when he attacked. His plan was to kill Commander Norrin and assume his position, kill the rebels, and take over the colonies. But he didn’t realize how powerful the rebel forces had grown.” He smiled, his expression at ease.
“What about the other breeders?” she asked.
His smile widened. “They will be freed, in time. I know the rebel leaders, I share their beliefs. Human life is valued and the breeders are human to them. Transition will be difficult, but change is here, it has already begun,” Silas said, his smile growing larger.
Rowan smiled as tears filled her eyes. She nodded. “I’m happy.”
“There’s more,” Silas said.
She looked up at him, waiting.
“They tested your blood while they operated on you,” he began, pausing just long enough that she wasn’t sure what she felt. “You are carrying my child, Rowan.”
“Already,” she said, looking away. “What will happen to the baby?” Would they take the child from her?
Silas touched her face and turned her to look at him. “If this child is like Tobias, another breeder, then what the colony scientists were studying could be proven right. We outside the colonies have adapted to the point where we have the ability to reproduce faster than the colony men and we can make male and female children whose chances of reproduction are much greater than those of colony men. Testing will continue to understand this and I’ve offered to help them with testing. They will know in a few months’ time whether or not you carry a breeder: male or female. If you want to know that is. Or we can wait until the child is born. Either way, he or she will be kept and loved.”
“Won’t they take my children from me?” she asked, still not believing. “It’s part of my sentence.”
Silas shook his head. “You’ve been cleared of any wrongdoing. Captain Amro tried to rape you, he was at fault. The death of the other breeder was his fault.”
“So, I’m free to go?”
He nodded once, his expression growing more serious. “Will you come home with me as my wife?”
“Wife?” Breeders did not marry. They reproduced.
“It wasn’t my intention, I didn’t even think it a possibility, but I love you, Rowan. I don’t want to live without you. Marry me.”
Rowan didn’t have a chance to answer. The door opened then and several guards walked inside.
“Rowan, this is Ben Menten, the leader of the rebel forces here. He’ll be taking over this colony.”
Rowan looked at the young man, unsure what to do, but he smiled as he approached and held out his hand.
“Your courage made our takeover possible,” he said. “Thank you, Rowan.”
She glanced at Silas then returned her gaze to Ben’s, but there was more commotion at the door and they all turned to look in that direction.
“Lis!” Rowan said, seeing her friend for the first time since having left the breeder facility.
Lis smiled a happy smile. Rowan’s eyes brightened and she sat up. She turned to look at Silas who waited expectantly and, for the first time since she had known him, he looked nervous. The guard cleared the way. There, holding Lis’ hand was a young boy no older than six. He walked close to Lis, his gaze remaining on the floor as he was urged forward. The top of his head was covered in thick, dark hair similar to Silas’ hair. He held a small bear to his chest. Lis bent down to whisper into his ear and the boy shook his head. She said something else and the boy shyly raised his eyes to Silas.
Silas gasped. Rowan stared at the boy with eyes as blue as Silas’, their pupils slanted just like hers.
“Tobias,” he said, stepping forward. The boy shrank back, Silas was so big that Rowan imagined he must look like a giant to the small child.
Lis squatted down beside the boy and held him. Silas took her lead and went down on one knee.
“This is your papa,” Lis said. “You will go to live with him now.”
“I want to stay with you,” the boy cried, throwing his arms around Lis’ neck. Rowan saw the flash of emotion in her eyes and it made her own fill with tears.
“Lis will accompany you to the settlement and she may stay if she likes,” Ben said, sounding hopeful and proud.
Rowan met Lis’ gaze, not believing what she had just heard. Lis smiled, but fear was underneath that smile.
“You’ll like it there, Lis,” Rowan said, speaking to Lis. When everyone turned to her, she shyly dropped her gaze.
Silas lifted the boy’s chin. “I’ve never been a dad so we’ll have to do this thing together,” Silas said. “But I promise to be good to you. There are boys at the village who are your age and soon, you’ll have a brother or sister,” he said.
“I’m sure he’ll be very happy,” Ben said. “I have a colony to get under control. Your transport is ready and waiting outside. Our guards will accompany you until you reach your destination.”
Silas nodded once. “Thank you.”
They shook hands. “We wouldn’t have been able to do this without you.”
Silas nodded and Ben left the room.
Silas came to Rowan. “I realize it’s sudden, what I said,” he said. “You may think on it but are you well enough to travel?”
She swung her feet off the bed and with Silas’ help, rose to stand. Yes, she was well enough. She wouldn’t spend another moment here if she could help it and she didn’t feel bad. The pain her wrist was more a gentle throbbing than anything else. But she had one thing to say first.
“Silas,” she began. “I choose to be with you and your son. A family.”
Silas smiled and pulled her in for a tight hug. They both turned to find Tobias watching, his eyes curious, intelligent. He was shy though and as soon as he met their gazes, he dropped his again. Silas took Rowan’s hand and they walked to Tobias, taking his as well. Silas began immediately to tell tales of his village, of Charlie, of the others, and by the time they settled into the vehicle that would carry them home, Tobias was looking up at him and listening intently to his stories.
Epilogue
Rowan’s belly was already beginning to swell. She sat along the bank of the waterfall watching Silas teach Tobias how to swim. She giggled when he splashed his father, catching him by surprise.
One full year had passed since they had left the colony that day. Tobias was nearly eight now and her first baby, Troy, suckled at her breast. She gazed down at him, at his sleepy eyes, while his mouth searched for her nipple and he made small, content noises as milk spilled down his chin. He opened his eyes for a moment, the gaze that met hers exactly like her own: a bright green with the dark slanted pupil at its center. Another male breeder. Her next would be female and she too carried the breeder gene. Dr. Stone had tested her just the week prior. Rowan was, for the first time in her life, content and happy. They were emotions she had never entertained and yet, here she was, at the end of a long and difficult period, married to a man she loved, raising two boys with a third child on the way.
Dr. Stone had taken a liking to Lis upon first sight and the two had married within months. She was nearing the end of her first pregnancy and the two of them saw each other daily. Kara had been jealous of the intrusion of Rowan’s old friend at first, but after a few weeks, she treated Lis as much as a big sister as she did Rowan. And Charlie had a huge crush on Lis. It made Rowan laugh to see it. Ben Menten had become commander and had the colonies under his control and relations between the settlements and the colonies were slowly improving.
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