by Marks, C. C.
I snapped my head up hard. I’d heard a sharp break of a twig just inside the trees. There was nothing living left in the forest, so my mind automatically thought of the only other possibility—Draghoul. Why would they be out in sunlight though?
A quick glance at the sky and I was reassured that the heat I felt on my skin was a bright, hot sun that the Draghoul wouldn’t dare venture into. Not when the sun was detrimental to their survival.
A Draghoul was already dead, at least in the mind. Though his or her body continued to function, they weren’t the same as when they’d lived. You had to kill them again by removing their head or in some way destroying the brain. It was called re-killing them, and they were described as re-dead or re-killed. Then, it was best to burn them.
I’d seen re-dead ones lying in the sunlight after their heads had been chopped off. In the sun, their skin melted from their bones like wax from a candle, seeming to speed up the decomposition process until there was little left besides bones and what little clothes they’d retained on their bodies. It wasn’t a pretty sight.
I turned my head back toward the forest as I heard another snap. Zeke looked up this time. “Did you hear that?”
I nodded.
He stepped out of the field and toward the tree line, and I grabbed at the back of his shirt. If it were Draghoul, and they’d somehow found a way to come out into the sunlight, we should warn the others, not go chasing after them ourselves. It could be a trap.
“Where are you going?
“There’s someone in there.”
“What if it’s a Draghoul?”
His expression when he turned wasn’t entirely dismissive of the idea. He’d obviously thought the same, at least for a moment, but he shook his head and continued toward the tree line.
“Can’t be Draghoul. The sun’s out.”
I snagged his shirt again. “But if you don’t know what it is, let’s get a few others. I don’t want to go in there, just the two of us.”
He waved his hand at me, his way of dismissing my concerns.
“Come on. You’re as much a baby as your sister. It’s probably just Thomas or somebody, playing a trick.”
He could be right. That sounded more logical than a group of bloodthirsty Draghoul out in the daytime, but I still wasn’t entirely convinced going in alone was the right thing to do. I’d made up my mind, I wasn’t going in, no matter what.
“Thomas doesn’t play pranks, and the guys who do are all working. I can see them.”
“Yeah, well, I’m telling you, I heard something, and I’m going to see what it was.”
He charged through the tree line, into the forest, and despite my resolve, I stepped in after him. We headed straight at first, but heard a sound to our right, turned, and began to pace quickly in that direction. After a few moments, I began to lose my nerve and turned back to make sure I could still see the field behind us. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the movement of a shadow, racing through the trees, running in the opposite direction. Without thinking, I rushed forward with a small squeak and crashed into Zeke’s back, clinging in desperation to his large frame.
“What the…”
He turned and scraped me off his back, setting me away as I worked to scramble back to him.
“Charlie, calm down, son. It was probably just a critter of some sort. Maybe we’ll find more meat.”
I shook my head up and down vigorously but kept throwing glances over my shoulders, sure whoever or whatever I saw would sneak up and attack at any moment.
“Sorry. I saw someone or something running back there. Got scared.”
My breath came too quickly into my lungs, and I began to cough to try to get it even again.
Zeke pounded my back a few times, probably cracked a rib or two, but I got myself under control enough to say, “Can we, please, get out of here?”
His mouth twisted into a grim expression, but he seemed to relent. “Come on, mousie. Let’s get you back to the field before you piss your pants.”
We turned and began to walk back toward the field, when out of the brush, stepped an elderly woman, thin as the pines around us, trudging wearily, wearing a dingy, mud-stained pair of jeans and a possibly once-blue sweatshirt with large lettering on the front. She had her head down, a mass of gray hair, full of twigs and grass, covering her face. She wasn’t making a noise, but I could tell by the heaves of her body as she hugged her arms around her mid-section, she was crying as silently as she could.
Both still as the trees around us, neither Zeke nor I made a noise to alert her to our presence. If she was newly infected, it was possible she was turning and might attack the closest living thing in range. All it would take was a scratch, and we’d be Draghoul-bound.
I began to inch back toward the field and pulled on Zeke’s arm, hoping he’d follow. Instead, he took a step toward her.
“Hello. Can we help you?”
Her head turned with a slow precision, as if she couldn’t quite believe someone had spoken here. She stared at us for what seemed like ages, and then began sprinting toward us at a hobbled, but speedy pace.
“Oh, thank goodness. You’re alive, aren’t you? Real, living people?”
My legs cramped with a need to run away, but something about her made me stay, even as I saw Zeke reach for a whip-like branch lying on the ground to his right.
She stopped a few feet from us, a grin stretched across her wrinkled cheeks. “I didn’t think I’d ever find another living soul. Are you two alone, or do you have a family?”
“We live nearby in a fortified building that used to be a hospital.”
I wanted to kick Zeke for revealing so much information. I still thought about that shadow. This woman was too frail to run through the forest. Surely, she couldn’t move as fast as that person was going, but that meant there were others out here. Possibly she wasn’t alone and this was a trap of a different kind.
I darted a look here and there, to catch any movements. Nothing moved at all.
We’d heard stories of other communities taken over by passing bands of wild and immoral people. The communities were mistreated and abused then given over to the Draghoul while the invaders raided the food and supplies. What if the woman was just a decoy to get us to let our guard down?
I was about to grab Zeke by his elbow and drag him back toward the field, back toward the safety of numbers, but he shook my hand free and stepped toward the woman instead. His impulsivity would get us all killed. How could he not be thinking this was a trap?
“I came from a buried bunker several miles from here. I’m the only survivor from my family.” Tears fell from her eyes. It seemed heartfelt as she continued, “I ate my last stores two days ago. I need help.”
Her words softened my harsh resolve. The situation she’d described was my own, except I’d had my mom and unborn sister’s safety to worry about then, too. It was possible she was just a single, lonely woman lost in The Dead Forest, trying to find safety, just like I was eight months ago before I found my way here. I’d be a hypocrite to turn her away.
These were the moments when, instead of an emotional heart, I wished I had a cold, logical mind to make decisions. No matter how hard I tried though, I knew I couldn’t turn away anyone in need, especially when I’d been through the same.
“Come on. Come with us. We’ll keep you safe.”
Zeke’s eyes widened, and he turned his gaze to give a meaningful look. Though he was more than likely willing to do the same, he probably thought I was borrowing trouble by offering safety. After all, he’d been before the Council, had served on nightwatch duty as a consequence for doing this very thing, only it had been for my mother and me then.
Yet, her shoulders sagged with relief, and she agreed with a firm nod.
“Wait!” Zeke’s voice rang out with force. “Show us your arms, legs, head and neck area.”
I knew he wanted to see for himself whether she bore any bites or scratches. The same had been required of me b
efore the Council. Dutifully, she lifted each sleeve, rolled up each pant-leg, and pulled her collar as far as she could, lifting her hair to show her skin was clear of the damning marks. He turned to me and ran his hand over the back of his neck, almost like he’d hoped to find something and was disappointed rather than satisfied she wasn’t infected.
Zeke and I motioned her forward and began trekking back toward the field. I continued to scan the forest, just in case we’d fallen for a clever plan of attack, but just as before, nothing made a noise because there was nothing left to make noise.
In a low whisper, Zeke leaned over and asked, “Do you know what you’re doing?”
“Helping someone in need,” I answered, just as hushed.
“The Council will see it differently.”
Not for the first time, my resentment for the Council bubbled up, and I clenched my jaw at the thought of the Council sitting in their comfortable quarters, waiting for their meals, and making life and death decisions like I chose clothes to wear to school years ago. Insulated and protected as they were, they hadn’t had to fear for their lives in a long time. Perhaps too long a time had gone by since they’d even heard Draghoul screams close by. They forgot how terrifying a world it was for the unprotected.
We broke the tree line and walked around the field where a group of workers gathered, drinking water and talking. At our approach, the conversation died, and the men’s gazes turned toward us, focused on the slow amble of the woman.
Their voices carried, but their words weren’t meant for us.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“Who is that?”
Nick Stone, one of the senior guards stepped out of the group, his eyes more alarmed than concerned. “Zeke, what have you done?”
What had we done? From the reactions, I thought we’d committed the ultimate sin. Sure, the woman behind us was a complete stranger and could carry the infection, but she asked for our help, and the decent thing to do was to offer her shelter until a reason not to surfaced.
“We did a quick check. She doesn’t have any bites or scratches. She’s just a woman by herself. Says her family’s all succumbed to the infection, she’s starving and needs help.”
The senior guard grunted. “And where did she get the idea we’d help her? Did you offer it up again, Zeke? Even after what happened last time?”
My gaze flew to Zeke’s profile. His jaw was clenched like a fist. Now I knew Nick spoke of Zeke’s consequence for helping me.
At the time, I’d known the Council called him before them. I hadn’t realized they’d given him nightwatch, too.
“It was my idea. I said we could help her, the way you helped me.”
They stared at me in silence, their eyes scrunched in confusion and horror as if I’d explained everyone had to sleep in the forest tonight. What was the big deal? Was it wrong to help someone?
“Then, you can be the one to explain it to the Council.”
“I was there too. He didn’t do it alone.” Zeke’s gritted admission didn’t sound happy.
“You can both talk to the Council. Doesn’t matter to me.” He turned to the group, waved his hand above his head, and let out a piercing whistle. “Let’s go! Day’s work is done.”
His focus zeroed in on the woman behind us. “Take her to the holding cells until she’s cleared of infection.” His gaze shifted to me as he continued, “You two, report to council chambers immediately. Don’t get something to eat, don’t clean up, don’t even relieve yourself. They’ll want to see you right away.”
Every muscle in my body tightened. No doubt about it, I’d splatted right into a pile of goat crap this time.
Chapter 5
“Tell us again, boys. Why did you bring the woman back to the fields?”
I swallowed hard. Zeke and I stood in front of a half-moon, wooden table in the center of an otherwise unremarkable room. I glanced around the white walls and beige carpet. It had obviously once been a large office of some kind, but I hadn’t been inside this room for months. At the start of the year, I’d been summoned right after my sister was born, and my mother had died. The Council had to decide what to do with me. At the time, I hadn’t really paid attention to my surroundings, too focused on my fate instead. As I looked around now, it occurred to me I’d expected the Council to live a little more rockstar. I mean, for as much special attention as they got, they didn’t live lavishly. It wasn’t at all fit for an elitist group, and as I looked at their emotionless faces, I felt a little bit thrown off.
Every nerve in my body stood on edge as I clasped my shaking hands in front of me and spoke, “At first, I was going to do it. I was going to turn her away. I figured she was probably part of a band of traveling criminals, using her as bait to flush out any small communities, but just look at her once. When you see her, you’ll see she’s practically starved and wasted away to nothing. It’s obvious she’s not being fed and kept by anyone. She needed help.” With a determination I didn’t really feel, I squared my shoulders and said, “I told her we would help her.”
Zeke pushed me backwards. “If he didn’t, I would have. I had the same idea. Charlie just beat me to it. Besides, I’m the one who should know better. You warned me before. I’ll take all consequences.”
“No. I’ll take the punishment. Zeke tried to warn me.”
The faces of the five council-men grew more uncomfortable, grimmer. The wrinkles framing their eyes deepened right before my own. They looked so worn and weary. Just plain tired. I didn’t know what I’d expected, but I so rarely caught a glimpse of these men. They seldom ventured out of chambers. For the first time, I saw the individuals of the Council as more than a pathetic, narrow-minded group of fat, old men telling us all how we had to live. Sure, they were bombastic and pale as corn silk, but they weren’t fat. Not a single one looked like he ate more than one meal a day. And exhausted, they all looked like they hadn’t slept peacefully…ever. I didn’t want to think of them as anything more than the men who made my life harder each day, but maybe there was more to being a member of the Council than I knew.
Peter’s father, Jonas, was head of the Council and spoke for them all. Yet the members around the table often leaned away from him and whispered in hushed tones. I couldn’t help but wonder how cohesive this group actually was.
Thomas’s father leaned over and whispered to Jonas. Jonas nodded, but his grim expression never changed.
“We will deliberate and call you back with a decision as to your consequence.”
“And, the woman?” I was overstepping my bounds. Their narrowed eyes told me as much.
“Leave that to us. It is none of your concern now,” an elderly, bald man on the end explained. Joseph was the oldest member of the community. He had no family remaining and was not the most pleasant person to talk to. But I wasn’t put off by his hateful tone. Not when they were about to make a decision whether the woman lived or died. Every life should matter, even a stranger.
“But, she needs us. She’s all alone.”
Thomas’s father stood, leaning his hands on the table. “We’ll hold a trial here, but the decision will be made logically. It’s out of your hands, Charlie. It’s best you never mention her again.” His voice was gentle, but his stern expression made it clear, he expected nothing less than complete compliance.
A glance at the remaining two council members revealed a stone wall of faces. Graham Mills was slightly younger than Joseph, and just as stodgy. Cane Moore, in his late twenties and the youngest member of the Council, was the only one who showed the slightest softening around his mouth and eyes, but his gaze shifted down to the tabletop, and I knew he’d vote with the majority.
I gave a shaky nod and felt Zeke’s hand pull me by the elbow toward the exit.
Once we were outside the closed door of the chamber, Zeke released a heavy breath, as if he hadn’t dared breathe normally the whole time we were inside. That threw me off a little. I’d always suspected Zeke wasn’t as brave as he
made himself out to be, but to actually witness his anxiety in front of the Council, my heart sunk to my knees. I must have messed up big-time.
“Stay here. I’ve got to find Thomas.”
“Why? Will he talk to his father about the woman?”
“Trust me. I’ll take care of everything.” Zeke started down the hall, toward the upper areas, leaving me alone to watch him walk away.
Even as Zeke sprinted in the opposite direction, I wasn’t alone. The two guards, John and Levi, who I’d brought plates of food to days ago, stood at attention beside the chamber doors. Usually when I passed this way, they distracted me with empty conversation. Life down here was pretty dull. Yet, as I approached, they ignored me. My punishment might as well start now.
With resignation, I slid down the opposing wall at the opposite end of the hallway, until my rump rested on the floor. Might as well be as low as my chances of a painless consequence.
What would happen to me now? Best case scenario—I had to clean toilets for a few weeks on top of my usual evening chores. Worst case scenario—I was escorted out of the community at dusk into waiting claws and ripped apart. Though I wouldn’t like either one, I could literally live with a few dirty toilets. The other was unthinkable but still possible.
My attention wandered down a dark corridor a little to my left, where the hallway took a sharp turn away from the council chambers and away from the direction I usually followed to Star’s room. I’d never been that way, never wanted to go that way. We were warned that wandering away from the main areas could be dangerous. Many sections of the former hospital where we lived were closed off, inaccessible because at one time, the place was overrun by former patients who’d been infected. A few brave souls re-killed them, or at least that was the story Zeke gave me. I didn’t doubt some could have survived.
Yet, as I stared into the blackness of an unknown path, I thought I heard a quick low shuffle, like booted-feet moving over concrete floors.
I waited for someone to emerge, but after a few expectant moments, no one appeared. A quick glance at the guards showed no change. Obviously, they either hadn’t heard or didn’t care. They were, once again, ignoring me completely.