Betrayed (Cry of the Guilty – Silence of the Innocent Book 2)

by Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

  While the cave people hunted and gathered berries, nuts, and roots, Georg, Gwin and Jawn finished cutting the grain and stripping the seeds from the stalk. They were not able to persuade Sari to return to the cave until the first snowfall. One of the planet’s years had passed since the Federer had left.

  * * *

  The next spring Georg and Jawn helped with the planting of the grain and vegetables and then accompanied the inhabitants to their summer home and the great meeting. Gwin and Sari stayed, moving again to the village to watch for a ship. They kept the weeds down in the vegetable field and gathered roots and berries. Gwin did the hunting for small animals for their meals. She and Sari tried opening up more land for seeding but the two of them could not operate the plow. Although Sari was not interested in helping, she knew that in order to eat she would have to do something. They hacked at the edges of the existing fields, making them larger. It was slow, hard work and they’d made little progress by the time summer was over.

  “I hate it here,” Sari said one day. “I really hate it. I want to go home so badly.”

  Gwin had begun to wonder if, given the chance, she would want to go back to her home planet. With all the live plants and animals here, would she be able to go back to that artificial life?

  When Georg and Jawn returned with the inhabitants they had many stories to tell of the long trek, the large bodies of water they had camped beside, the great number of tents set up in a meadow, and the huge amount of people who attended the meeting. They were different sizes, different colours and spoke different languages. Hand signals was the common language.

  They spent the winter in the cave again. When they changed into their winter hides, they threw away their worn clothes.

  * * *

  It was early spring and the inhabitants hadn’t left yet. Georg and Jawn were raking the ground while Gwin and Sari were planting the vegetable seeds when they heard the noise overhead. They looked up in time to see a spaceship hover over the village then head to the meadow where the Treachen sat.

  “It’s here!” Sari yelled. She threw down her bag of seeds and ran towards the village.

  “Wait!” Georg hollered. He ran after her and grabbed her arm.

  “Let go of me!” she screamed, trying to break his grip.

  “Wait to see who it is first,” Georg said quickly. “And don’t go running up to them. They might shoot you out of fear.”

  Sari stared at him. “You’re right,” she said, calming down.

  There were only buds on the trees so there wasn’t much cover as the four of them hurried to the edge of the trees by the meadow. They watched as the door of the ship opened and guards carrying trance guns stepped out.

  “They’re from our planet,” Sari squealed excitedly.

  The guards surveyed the meadow then one of them spoke into his microphone. The door opened again and more people straggled off the ship in twos and threes. None were in uniform.

  “I don’t recognize any of them,” Gwin said. “They could be scientists, they could be from the Space Organization, or they could be the police.”

  “What are you going to say to them?” Georg asked Sari.

  “Well, I’m going to tell them about us and how we’ve lived since the ship left.”

  “Jawn and I would appreciate it if you didn’t mention us.”

  “Why?”

  “We don’t want to go to prison again. If they don’t know we are here, they won’t try to take us back.”

  “And don’t say anything about the inhabitants,” Jawn said. “We don’t want to disturb their lives.”

  Sari looked at Gwin. “What about you?”

  Gwin was about to answer, when she saw Mikk, accompanied by Governor Lind, exit the ship. Gwin watched him, her love overwhelming her. He’d come to find her. She had to hold herself back from running to him. “He’s here,” she whispered.

  “Who’s here?” They scanned the people but no one stood out.

  “Mikk. He’s come to find me.”

  “Let’s go,” Sari begged.

  “No.” Gwin held back. She didn’t want anyone else to see her. She’d become so used to the peace and quiet that she didn’t want the hassle of all the questioning that would take place. She would wait for the opportunity to reveal herself to Mikk when no one was around. “I want to talk to him alone.”

  The guards led the way, stepping over the skeletons of the rioters. They could hear Governor Lind explaining the riot that had led to the leaving of the Federer. They made their way to the village. The four followed silently in the trees. At each of the buildings the guards checked the inside first before the others went in to investigate. There was nothing for them to find except the beds with half-rotted mattresses and skeletons. Outside they looked at the crates and boxes still strewn along the streets. They inspected the stoves, the pits, and the areas of cut trees where new growth had already begun to fill in the open spaces.

  “I’ve got to talk to them,” Sari said impatiently.

  “You’ve seen how cautious they are,” Georg said. “How do you plan on approaching them with the way you are dressed?”

  “I don’t know, but I’ve got to do something soon. They’re going to find our beds and know someone is here.”

  “After all this time, I doubt that they will associate our beds with survivors,” Jawn said.

  The group soon split up. Some wanted to look at the buildings closer, some wanted to wander around the area. Mikk found the path they used to go to the fields and followed it.

  “I’m going,” Gwin said. She hurried through the trees so she could be there when he arrived. She positioned herself by the nearest field and waited. Then she realized that she didn’t know what she looked like. The only mirrors that had come to the planet had belonged to the governor and the police, and they had all been broken by the prisoners. When she went for water she only saw her reflection when the river was running slowly and even then, it was distorted.

  She tried to wipe the dirt off her face. There was only a small amount of water in a pail that they used for drinking. She quickly dipped her hands in the pail and rubbed her face. She dried it on the sleeve of her hide.

  She stiffened when she heard Mikk’s footprints. Suddenly she felt awkward. A long time had passed since she’d seen him and she’d changed from the woman he knew. What if he didn’t recognize her? What if he hadn’t come to look for her? After all, it had probably been reported that everyone should have died from starvation or the cold.

  Mikk came out of the trees and his eyes scanned the black soil of the fields. They passed over her and then quickly returned. She smiled. He stared not believing what he was seeing.

  “Gwin?” He asked faintly.

  She nodded. “It’s me.”

  “Gwin!” He ran to her and swept her into his arms.

  She wrapped her arms around him. She’d dreamed of this day for almost two of this planet’s years. And now it had finally happened. Mikk was here with her.

  “How did you…? Where have you…? What did you…?” Mikk had so many questions to ask he couldn’t form any of them. “I’ve missed you so much,” he finally managed.

  Gwin nuzzled her head in his shoulder. It felt so good to have his arms around her.

  “Oh, Mikk,” was all she could say.

  He finally held her at arm’s length looking at her. “How have you managed to subsist here? Are there others? What happened to the cold and the snow we heard about?”

  Gwin held up her hand. She looked around to see if anyone else had followed the path. She didn’t want to be found out. “First of all, there are four of us.”

  “Four of you survived? Where are the others?”

  “They’re in the bush. Not everyone wants to be found.”

  “Why not? It’s a miracle. They’re a miracle.”

  “No, two of them are prisoners who don’t want to go back to prison.”

  “Oh, I see what you mean.” Mikk sobered. “What about the t
hird?”

  “She is the historian. She wants to go back, but she’s not sure how to approach your group without getting shot. She’s dressed in hides like me.”

  “How have you lived? What have you eaten?”

  “We’ve been growing the grain sent here and grinding it into flour and growing the vegetables.” Gwin wasn’t sure about mentioning the inhabitants to him yet.

  But her life here wasn’t what was important to her right now. “I didn’t kill anyone. I found out who helped frame me but he’s dead now. I know who killed the other clients of Harlot Row but he’s also dead. Have you been able to do anything to clear my name?”

  Mikk looked crestfallen. “Britt and I have tried but the police say they have the evidence and that is all they need. Who framed you?”

  “Royd and his partner.”

  “Royd? Your captain?”

  “Yes. He’d made some sort of deal with a person named Zudo to bilk the Space Organization. They had to get me out of the way because I didn’t want this planet used for the colony and they did. Royd told me I was lucky because Zudo wanted to kill me and he stopped that. So they framed me instead.”

  “And Royd’s dead?”

  “Yeah. He was in charge of the fleet coming here. His partner turned on him and he was left here with the prisoners. He died with them.”

  “Do you have any other proof?”

  “No. I was hoping you would have found something,” Gwin said with despair. There was no way she could go back to her previous life now.

  “What about the real killer of the clients. Who was that?”

  “He was the hustler of one of the girls there. He wanted more money and killed her clients to get it.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “She killed him and was sent to the orbital prison. She also died here.”

  “So there is no way we can prove your innocence.”

  “None.”

  Mikk hugged her. “What are we going to do?”

  “I don’t know.” Gwin snuggled in his arms. “I can’t go back because I’m still a killer there.”

  “Maybe the governor will grant you and the others a pardon.”

  “To do that she will have to know about us. And if she decides not to, what do we do?”

  “May I meet the others?”

  “You’ll have to promise you won’t say anything about them unless they agree.” Gwin could see Georg, Jawn, and Sari standing on the edge of the trees.

  “Okay.”

  Gwin beckoned to them to come. Sari rushed over but Georg and Jawn held back. They kept looking around as if expecting the guards to show up.

  “Mikk, this is Sari.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad you came. I knew someone would come eventually.”

  “And these are Georg and Jawn. My fiancé, Mikk.”

  “Can you take me to see the governor?” Sari asked.

  “Sure.” Mikk looked at Gwin.

  “I’d better not.”

  “I’ll be back.”

  “Sari, be careful what you say,” Georg cautioned.

  They watched Mikk and Sari walk away.

  “We’d better go to the cave and tell the inhabitants what is happening,” Georg said.

  “You go,” Gwin said. “I’ve got to stay here.”

  She walked in the trees following Mikk and Sari. Hunting had made her steps light and her movement swift. Under the watchful eyes of the guards, Mikk lead Sari towards the governor. Gwin couldn’t hear the conversation but she imagined him explaining who she was. She saw the governor’s surprised, then pleased reaction.

  Mikk slipped away and headed back to the fields where Gwin met him again.

  “Where are Jawn and Georg?”

  “They’ve gone to warn our friends that a spaceship has arrived.”

  “Friends? What kind of friends?”

  “Come with me and I’ll show you.”

  She led him through the trees and meadows to the valley with the cave. On the way she told him about their lives since the Federer had left. She explained about being accepted by the inhabitants, about the discovery of the growing grain and vegetables, and that they planted more last year. As she talked she realized how proud she was of their accomplishments. They had made the colony a success.

  He listened in silence.

  When she mentioned the inhabitants, she told him about their migration every spring. “They are still here because one of the women is about to give birth.”

  On the slope overlooking the valley and the cave Gwin turned to Mikk. “You have to promise me not to tell anyone about these people.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I don’t want their life disrupted. They have seen the Treachen and the village and they have had a hard time understanding where we came from. If a bunch of scientists swarmed over them and began asking a lot of questions and poking and prodding, I’m not sure how they would react.”

  “Okay, I promise.”

  Gwin led Mikk to the cave. She left him at the entrance and stepped inside. The room was hazy from the pipes some of the men and women were smoking while they waited for the birth.

  “I brought Mikk here,” Gwin told Georg and Jawn.

  “You what?”

  “I made him promise not to tell.”

  “Can you trust him?”

  “Yes.” She explained to the inhabitants that she had brought friend of hers who had landed with the spaceship. She said she had told him about how they had saved the four of them from freezing and starving and how they were now friends. Because he was thankful to them he wanted to meet them. Then she left the cave so they would be able to discuss the idea.

  “What did they say?” Mikk asked.

  “They’re discussing it now. When they’ve made up their minds they will let us know.”

  “How long will that be?” Mikk looked at his watch.

  Gwin shrugged. “Minutes and hours mean nothing to them. It is the seasons that matter.” Only as she said it did she realize that she too had adopted the attitude of no time. The only deadlines now were to get the crop planted as soon as possible after the snow left and to get it harvested before the snow returned.

  “I’ve told you about my life since coming here,” Gwin said. “Tell me about yours.”

  “Other than spending most of my waking hours trying to find out what happened to you and working there is nothing to tell.”

  “How are my mother and Britt?”

  “They’re devastated with the news that you died here. They’ll be glad to see you return.”

  Gwin didn’t say anything. Now that the ship had finally come with Mikk on it, her emotions were changing. She knew she still wanted a life with him as her husband but she loved it here on this planet. Knowing for certain that she could prove her innocence might be the deciding point.

  “What took so long for Governor Lind to come?” Gwin asked.

  “It hasn’t been six months since the Federer returned. It took that long for the Leaders to decide what to do.”

  “Only six months?”

  “Yes.”

  “If my figuring is right, it’s been a year and a half here.”

  “That’s a big difference in time.”

  “Yes. There are four seasons. This one is spring. Next is one of great warmth that would have been when Royd and I first came here. It is called summer. Then there is one of cooler weather when the leaves fall off the trees. There is no name for it. One of deeper cold when the snow comes is known as winter.”

  Mikk looked at his watch again. Gwin could feel his impatience and knew that she should feel that impatience also. But she didn’t and was happy with the thought. She liked not having the stress of doing things within a time frame. She tried to explain how they lived, how they hunted and dug plants and picked berries for food.

  Finally Bru stepped to the entrance and beckoned them. Gwin smiled at him. She’d thought that because of the time it had taken them to let her and the others in
to the cave so long ago, they wouldn’t make a decision so fast.

  Gwin led Mikk into the cave. She introduced him to her friends including the children. Mikk nodded at each introduction. They just stared at him.

  Mikk looked around the cave and Gwin could see that he wasn’t impressed. Seeing it through his eyes she could understand why. But seeing it from her eyes, she was still grateful for them taking her and the others in and showing them how to live their life.

  Most of the inhabitants’ possessions had been packed for their journey. Mela, who was giving birth, lay on a robe of skins with the other women around her. Suddenly they raised her into the squatting position. The baby came silently into the world and was wrapped in a hide. As was the custom the father showed it to the rest of the tribe and then to Gwin and Mikk. The baby blinked innocently up at them. Gwin smiled happily at the newest child of the group and congratulated the father.

  “Why is the child so quiet?” Mikk asked.

  “It takes about a year for the baby to learn to speak or to walk,” Gwin explained. “Until then it is carried by the mother or the father.”

  “An unformed mind,” Mikk said.

  “What?” Gwin asked.

  “Nothing,” Mikk replied.

  “We’ll be leaving tomorrow,” Georg said to Gwin.

  “So soon. Will Mela be ready?”

  “They want to get away from here as quick as possible.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Mikk said his goodbyes and he and Gwin left the cave. She walked him back to the village.

  “Will you come to the ship with me?” Mikk asked.

  Gwin could feel herself tense up. If she did there would be a lot of questions and they might even lock her up. “No,” Gwin replied. “I have to go back and spend the last night with my friends.”

  “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “I’ll meet you at the fields when the sun is high in the sky but only if you go there alone.”

  Mikk nodded. He put his arms around her. “I have missed you so very much. I can’t wait until we have our life back.”