Aberrant

by Ruth Silver

  "We're being attacked." It wasn't a question. Together, we jogged briskly down the hall toward our rooms. I didn't know how much time we had. All I knew was the government was here, and they were searching for me!

  The first explosion caused the building to rumble as a bomb dropped just outside the dormitory. Dark smoke filled the hall, blinding us. I gripped his hand tighter as he dragged me toward his room. We split up, but only for an instant while Joshua ran into his room to grab the map and I threw open my bedroom door, rushing towards the dresser. I needed my father's journal. Desperately, I reached behind the furniture, struggling and coughing as the building shook with each new bomb that fell.

  Joshua came into my room, ignoring all rules as he helped push the dresser further from the wall, knocking it to the floor allowing me more than enough room to grab the journal and go. I tossed it inside the pack and Joshua put the map inside before we stepped out of my bedroom. I glanced down the hall, not sure what I expected to see. To the right the dormitory had been hit, and a roar of smoke and fire filled the confined space. Jacqueline was gone. Hand-in-hand we ran in the opposite direction toward the staircase.

  My eyes burned. Coughing, I refused to let go of his hand as we stepped outside. Drones weren’t the only things attacking Haven. Tanks rolled into town. A few soldiers jumped off, taking over the perimeter, guns drawn. I paused, gripping Joshua's hand as we were shrouded in smoke. Just a few feet away, a soldier lifted his weapon and unleashed fury on a group of innocent people. I covered my mouth with my hand to keep from crying out when a child no older than three hit the cement. His eyes remained open as blood seeped from his head. He didn't move. Didn't blink. It took only a moment to realize he’d died instantly. All I could do was stand there in shock.

  "We have to move," I heard Joshua's voice, but it didn't register. The smoke swirled around us and gunfire erupted in every direction. He grabbed my arm. "Olivia, I need you to focus." I nodded once, trying my best to clear the cobwebs from my mind. I couldn't, though. I wanted to run out to the child and protect him, but it was too late. I was too late. They were here because of me, innocent blood on my hands. I felt the heat radiating from the dormitory and my eyes flashed back. "I need you here with me, Olive."

  "I am," I insisted, knowing if I didn't focus we'd both be dead. I spotted more soldiers – their standard issue uniform and the Cabal crest on their jacket sleeve told me all I needed to know. The government had come looking for us. "Which way?" I couldn't see the exit. With the smoke enveloping us and the fear coursing through my veins, I forgot the direction we'd come from.

  "The border," Joshua held my hand tight in his. "This way," he insisted as he tugged on me to follow. Together we jogged through the smoke along the edge of the buildings, careful not to run too fast into a soldier. I could hardly see my own hands in front of me. I could feel the heat radiating as we came upon a flaming building. I heard a woman's scream, and Joshua gripped my arm, holding me back. "No," he told me, seeing the soldiers across the street as the woman ablaze ran out of the burning building and into the street toward the enemy. She threw herself on the ground trying to put out the flames roasting her skin. In her rush of panic and pain, she hadn't seen what was right in front of her. I sucked in a horrified breath recognizing the blonde hair, and I witnessed a spray of bullets as her body went limp. I buried my face in Joshua's shoulder, unable to see any more. It was Scarlet, the woman who’d found us in the tunnel and driven us to Haven. I could do nothing for anyone here. It was dangerous to stay any longer, and the gate entrance was the biggest risk. Haven had only one way in and out of town, and we had no other choice. Barbed wire encompassed Haven, so we were otherwise trapped.

  Joshua's voice was barely above a whisper, with no hint of emotion as he, too, witnessed Scarlet's murder. He was trying to focus, so we could both survive. "Keep moving," he insisted. He gripped my hand and led me past the burning structure through the smoke as we neared the edge of Haven.

  Seeing the guarded gate ahead, I glanced around finding an empty vehicle parked to the right. "Come on," I pulled Joshua with me as we rushed toward the vehicle while we still had the chance. It just happened to be the same one we had arrived in with Scarlet. Thankfully, the keys were in the ignition. I started the engine, and though unsure how to drive, I quickly figured it out. We backed up first as I didn't quite know what 'R' stood for. I ran something over, but didn't look back to see who or what it was.

  Joshua moved the stick into 'D' "Drive!" he exclaimed and I hit the gas hard, maneuvering the wheel as we hit the gate and busted through toward freedom.

  CHAPTER 11

  I coughed and gasped for air, grateful we’d made it out of Haven alive. We’d left behind so many less fortunate than us. I tried not to think about the child shot on the street or how Scarlet had burned and then been executed. So much destruction had followed us to Haven. I couldn't do that again to innocent people.

  I shifted uncomfortably in the seat, eyeing the rearview mirror, watching as smoke billowed in the distance behind us. No one followed us – at least, not yet.

  "Why do you think they attacked Haven?" I asked Joshua. The town had remained untouched at least twenty years. Why now did the government seek retribution? I already knew the answer. I hoped Joshua could see another reason, and be the optimist in all of this.

  "I would guess it has something to do with your escape from Genesis." Joshua kept glancing back. "Wow! Haven is really burning."

  The smoke swelled higher into the atmosphere. "Maybe they'll think we're dead?" I hoped the government would leave us alone. I'd had enough adventure for a lifetime.

  He grabbed my pack and dug into it for the map. "That would be nice. We should come up with a plan and figure out where we have to go until we can fuel up."

  "Lucky for us we won't need fuel," I smiled pointing at the car noticing the dashboard with an energy symbol. Some things had been worth reading about in the textbooks. "Sunlight on this thing will power it. We picked a good car to take." I reminded him, "We can share the driving. Tell me which way?" We were driving on unmarked roads as it was. The dirt showed through the grass from all the years of travel. "Where are we going, another rebel town?" I wasn't crazy about heading to Torv or Spade. After what Haven expected of me, the thought of going to any city terrified me.

  "No," Joshua shook his head. "We can't take a chance their allies are compromised, too."

  "So, what then? We'll need food and someplace to sleep." I was anxious as I hit the gas harder, driving further into nothingness. "Won't the drones see a single vehicle in the middle of nowhere?" I asked.

  “It’s possible, but we don’t have another choice. If we can get enough distance between us and Haven, we should be in the clear,” Joshua offered. I hoped he was right. "We're going to drive west for a few days," he insisted. "As far as I can tell there's a city four days west of here. Remember how I told you about the city missing from the map in the museum?" I didn’t know if that was good news or not, but after what we'd endured, I was willing to go almost anywhere. "We'll try and gather what food and supplies we can on the way. I suspect we will run through some ghost towns. We should try and get whatever's been left behind."

  I hoped he was right. I hoped we would be able to find food and water while heading west. I could see absolutely nothing on the horizon and had seen nothing on our way from Genesis. This is why they called it the Gravelands. We'd already driven an hour into nothingness, and it only seemed to stretch further.

  We took turns driving, but the heat exhausted us when the sun was out. The night air was just as brutal. My stomach refused to stop grumbling, and I knew Joshua had to be just as hungry. We hadn't come across any sign of food on the way. I didn't expect a garden filled with vegetables, but I hoped we’d find some remnants of an old civilization, but to no avail.

  My head pounded from lack of food and water. Although I tried to sleep so I could drive for a while, Joshua did most of the driving. I felt bad that I couldn
't keep up with him.

  "What's that?" I mumbled, staring off into the distance, unsure if I imagined what I saw.

  Joshua held up a hand shielding his eyes from the blazing sun. "Looks like smoke." He veered off our current route and headed up the trail. I felt my ears instantly pop as we climbed a seemingly endless mountain. The trees and vegetation around us were beautiful, but I didn't know what plants were edible and doubted Joshua knew any more than I did. "How about we ask for help," he breathed through parched lips glancing at me. "It's worth a shot." I knew we had limited options. We'd die of dehydration if we didn't try to find water soon. We headed toward the smoke at the peak of the mountain, and I wondered who would choose to live here, in the absolute middle of nowhere. Then again, maybe these people had the right idea.

  "Are you sure they're not part of the government?" I didn’t want to fall into a trap after how far we’d come. We wouldn't make it anywhere without water. We hadn't had any since we'd left Haven.

  "The only government towns are on the map back east from where we came. The government has labeled everyone else as a rebel," he assured me. "Besides I can't take anymore driving without something to eat and drink." I knew he was right. We’d endured a brutal trip. I was just grateful we had a vehicle and weren't trying to escape on foot.

  I nudged him with my arm as we slowly approached the end of the road and saw a home situated a hundred feet from it. "We walk the rest of the way?" I guessed. I just hoped no one would steal our vehicle if we left it.

  Joshua turned off the car and tossed the keys into his pocket. "Seems like the only way to get up there," he gestured at the closed off road. We walked past the brush into the forest, through trees and thicket toward the approaching house. The closer we got, the more the smoke seemed to swell higher in the backyard, reaching the clouds. They definitely had a fire out back. I could smell the smoke and a hint of something else, meat perhaps. My mouth instantly watered as I trudged to the front door.

  "Come on." Joshua took my hand, leading me to the porch. I couldn't help but feel nervous, unsure of what awaited us on the other side. Whatever it was, we could deal with it. Turning around and heading down the mountain without food wasn't an option. I just had no idea how friendly these people would be. Could they be worse than Haven?

  Joshua gave a rapid steady knock. "Hello? Is anyone home?" he called, his voice echoing in the woods.

  Slowly, the wooden door creaked open, a pistol drawn at us, and I groaned as my stomach ached with a roaring pain. I clutched my stomach with a grimace. "Please, help us," I breathed, my eyelids heavy with hunger, thirst and exhaustion.

  "What do you want?" The voice on the other side demanded. He sounded like an older gentleman, and he didn't budge from the door.

  "The government attacked Haven," Joshua explained. "We need food and water. We're starving."

  The man sized us up curiously. "Why should I help you?"

  "Please," I begged as my hands shook. I struggled to stay upright, the pain in my stomach becoming unbearable. "We're heading west. We won't stay long, but we haven't eaten in days." I couldn't remember the last time I'd eaten. Sunrise and sunset had become a blur with each day, as Joshua had driven as much as he could handle.

  The older man studied us both curiously. He tilted his head. "Come in, come in," he answered with a resigned sigh. He opened the screen door and stepped aside. Joshua walked in first. I hesitated. My stomach grumbled loudly, and the older man turned around hearing it. "I'll get you some food."

  "Thank you," I tried to be polite, hiding the fear coursing through my veins. My eyes surveyed the home. Nothing looked weird or creepy, but I still felt more than mildly uncomfortable – perhaps because this guy lived in a cabin in the middle of the woods without anyone in hundreds of miles, or perhaps because we'd nearly been killed, and I was still on edge.

  "I'm Milo," he introduced himself.

  "Joshua Warren, and this is Olivia Parker," Josh replied.

  I shot Joshua a nasty look. He merely shrugged, not thinking straight. "Olivia Parker. Really?" I crossed my arms ignoring the cramps in my stomach as the anger boiled within me. "Are we not married anymore?" I questioned. "Is that it? I'm not good enough to be your wife?"

  Joshua sighed. "I didn't say that, I just thought–-" he let out a heavy sigh and glanced at Milo for any ounce of help he could supply.

  "Olivia Parker? The Olivia Parker?" Milo whispered in awe. "You're Samantha Parker's daughter?"

  I remained silent, unsure how to answer, especially after our stay in Haven. I glanced at Joshua, realizing we'd made a mistake. We shouldn't have used our real names. The thought of these people demanding of me what Haven had made me sick. He put his gun down, but I kept an eye on it and him. I felt nauseated – I needed food and I couldn't wrap my mind around how he knew my mother's name. Was I hallucinating? Had I lost my mind?

  “Are you?” he asked again, stepping closer, peering at me.

  "My mother is Samantha." I paused thinking it over. Everything felt real. Could word have possibly traveled that fast about who I was? "How do you know my mother?" I asked, my eyes narrowed into slits.

  "Everyone knows of your mother," Milo insisted. "She chose to live her life in Genesis for you. She thought that would protect you." Milo grinned. “This is amazing.” He beamed, gazing at me. Reaching out, he touched a strand of my blonde hair and I stepped back.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” I demanded, grabbing the shotgun against the wall. Even weak from dehydration I felt strong. I held it up to him, raising an eye. “Touch me again, and I will shoot you.” It wasn't just a threat. I was tired of everyone choosing my life – it was mine to choose.

  “I’m sorry,” Milo apologized, holding his arms up. "Your mother was a legend, and always considered somewhat of a myth. But here you are." He grinned. “I’m just so excited to meet you. The fact that you’re alive and well, it’s great news! Now put that down,” he insisted, "And come to the kitchen. I'll make you both a big breakfast." Reluctantly, I put the gun back against the wall, hoping I wouldn't need it.

  I wasn't sure I could eat a big breakfast, but I knew I needed to eat something. Milo pulled out two tall glasses and filled them with water for us. I devoured mine in an instant and poured myself another glass. I just hoped it wouldn't come back up. Milo watched us both with fascination. His eyes came to rest on me once again. "Is it true?" he whispered stepping closer, examining my face. "Can you bear the last child?"

  "I don't know." I sighed, slamming the empty glass on the table. "It's possible." My eyes narrowed. "But I'm not about to start trying." I made it perfectly clear. If this old man thought he could have his way with me, he had another thing coming.

  "Fair enough, young lady." Milo nodded. "You may stay as long as you like, but please know the government will be looking for you. If you truly are Olivia Parker, then I'm sure they destroyed Haven searching for you."

  "Why?” I knew the government had arrested me and wanted me dead – at least if it was up to Governor Craynor – but why kill hundreds of innocent people in Haven?

  Milo sighed. "You are a legend, Olivia. The government is searching for you and won’t stop unless they believe you’re dead. I suggest you take on new names, new identities.” He opened his fridge, pulled out a batch of fresh eggs and turned on the stove. My mouth instantly watered.

  Joshua spoke up, "Thanks for doing this, Milo." He stared at the food on the stove, and I knew he felt as hungry as I did. He opened his mouth and said softly, "You should dye your hair red."

  I shifted uncomfortably on my feet at the suggestion. "You think I should be Jacqueline?" Was he serious? I could never be his sister. It would be too weird.

  He shook his head, "It's okay. Milo's right. We need identities and back stories. If someone asks, you know enough about where Jacqueline is from you can pass the story off as your own."

  "What about you?" I asked Joshua.

  "I can be Adam," he answered in a matter of fact
tone. "While you spent a few days with Jacqueline, Adam showed me around town. I think I can pass myself off as him."

  I'd never met Adam and didn't know what he looked or acted like. I had to believe Joshua could pass for anyone, but more importantly if no one knew what we looked like, and we had different names, it could work.

  CHAPTER 12

  We stayed the afternoon on the mountain, joining Milo and his wife, Uma, for not only breakfast, but lunch and dinner, as well. All morning, she'd been out picking berries in the forest and was pleasantly surprised to find us seated in her living room with Milo. I was grateful for their hospitality.

  Milo made sure to give us plenty of food and matches to take back with us. He spent an hour with Joshua teaching him how to lay traps for fish when we traveled west as we'd find water closer to the ocean. While Joshua and Milo were fishing, Uma showed me which berries were poisonous and which were good to eat. I doubted we'd find time to stop again, but I definitely learned a good lesson should the need arise. After dinner, Uma took me aside, handing me a bottle of custom red dye she'd made from the berries, explaining how to use it. I thanked them repeatedly as we said our goodbyes and headed back through the woods.

  "They were surprisingly nice," Joshua admitted, nudging me as we walked to the car. He opened the door for me and we both rearranged the food and other supplies in the backseat. "Aren't you glad I suggested it?"

  I couldn't help but shake my head and laugh. "I'm just glad we didn't get shot.” Joshua agreed. He pulled out the keys. "Here, I'll drive," I offered taking the keys from him.

  As the sun broke through the horizon, I glanced in the rearview mirror seeing the sun light up the night sky, turning itself into day.

  "Olivia? You still awake?" Joshua yawned, shifting in the passenger seat as he rubbed his eyes. The morning light was enough to wake him as was the heat while we traveled into the desert.