by Ruth Silver
The others jogged off as quietly as they could. I approached the camp, keeping my distance, careful not to be seen. I unsheathed my dagger, gripping the handle tightly, prepared at any moment for an attack. I hoped beyond anything the outlaw hadn't spotted me, but I couldn't be sure. I needed to be cautious and wait for their signal. The further north we traveled away from Shadow, the more stray trees had rooted into the ground. Most were scraggily in size, but I managed to hide behind one, careful not to be seen as I saw the glow of the campfire in the distance.
I wasn't sure how much time passed. It definitely didn't feel like ten minutes when I heard the first shot ring out, my body freezing in position. I'd heard that sound before, a gunshot like the one in Haven when the government murdered Scarlet. My grip tightened on the dagger. I couldn't be afraid to move, to fight. Maya was the first to show herself. The bullet whizzed right past her. I blinked twice, unsure if the shot had been off or she'd dodged it. I knew we were capable of things most couldn't achieve. I couldn't be scared or afraid. I was trained for this moment: I needed to act out of bravery, not fear. I moved away from behind the tree, my eyes widening in shock as the man with the gun came barreling towards me.
“Stop right there!” I screamed, my voice echoing into the large expanse of open land. “Don't come any closer!” I tried again but he kept moving. He wasn't running anymore, as he turned in all directions, seeing the others surrounding him. They were closing in fast.
“I won't miss the next time,” the outlaw threatened, showing me his pistol.
“I'm sure you won't,” I answered. “Neither will we.” I nodded towards Cate as she held the bow in perfect position.
“I never miss a shot,” Cate chimed. “I definitely won't miss your head,” she boasted.
He held his hands up in surrender, then slowly lowered his gun to the ground. Cate stepped closer, keeping the perfect aim while Aidan walked up behind the stranger, kicking the gun out of the way, letting Maya pick it up. Aidan swept his foot beneath the outlaw's legs, causing them to buckle and to force the man face down into the grass. “Tell us who else you're in contact with,” Aidan seethed, his mouth low beside the stranger’s ear. I wasn't sure if he was going to bite his ear or just make him eat dirt. Either way, Aidan looked pissed. I kept my dagger positioned and ready, should the need arise.
The outlaw sneered, grunting as he tried to wrestle Aidan off him. “I'm not telling you anything.” He bucked his hips, forcing Aidan's body to smash against the ground as he unintentionally let go. The outlaw rushed for Maya as she pulled the trigger on the gun and Cate released the arrow, both hitting the stranger before his body shuddered and he collapsed to the ground. “It's not over,” he rasped, blood bubbling in his mouth as he wheezed.
“Oh, I'd say it's over,” Cate quipped. “You're done killing people, that's for sure.” She secured another arrow while I helped Aidan up off the ground.
“Are you okay?” I asked, watching as he slowly stood up.
Aidan dusted the dirt off himself. “Yeah, just had the wind knocked out of me.” He glanced at Maya. “Let's carry him back to Collins.”
“Dead man walking.” Cate smiled, clearly in a good mood. I couldn't quite tell why.
The corners of Aidan's lips turned upwards into a smile. Cate had managed to coax it out of him, though I didn't quite understand their fascination with death. “More like carrying. Dead man carrying, soon to be dead man burning,” he quipped.
I rolled my eyes, not understanding their humor at all. Maya noticed and said, “What's to get?” She shrugged. “They're trying to find a way to cope with what we had to do. No one's happy about killing an outlaw, but we have to protect our town and its people.” Maya secured the gun to the back of her pants. “We look out for one another. We're the closest thing to family anyone in this world has,” Maya reminded me, as Cate and Aidan carried the dead outlaw back to town.
CHAPTER 11
After the outlaw had been killed and brought into Shadow, Collins ordered a burning just past the border. I didn't attend. I had no need to. I stayed back with Adelaide, making sure she was all right. During the day, she seemed upbeat and her usual cheerful self. Nighttime was difficult. The first few nights were plagued with nightmares. I'd wake up to the sound of screams from her bedroom and dry her tears. I'd sing to her, cuddle with her and even tell her stories of make believe princes and princesses until she finally fell back to sleep.
With time, it got easier. Adelaide was resilient. She would show me the pages of a book and ask me to read it to her, pointing to the letters, wanting to learn to read. The nightmares eased but I wasn't sure if they would ever completely disappear. Adelaide sat in the living room, reading a book, when there was a knock at the door. “I'll get it!” she offered, jumping off the couch. She ran for the door, pulling it back as I came down the stairs with laundry, trying to see who it was. “Auntie Maddie!” She squealed with delight. I put down the laundry basket and descended the stairs as I saw Adelaide's arms around the woman and her face buried in her neck.
Seeing the woman more closely, I realized she was one of the women we'd rescued from Thena. By Collins’ gesture, I had sworn she'd died the day after we brought her to Shadow, but perhaps I'd been wrong. When we brought her in, she was barely conscious but breathing. It seemed Shadow's technology was far superior to anything I'd ever witnessed. Perhaps it just took time for such a recovery.
“Hi.” The older woman smiled, still holding Adelaide in her arms. She hadn't moved to get down. “I'm Madeline.” She offered me her free hand.
I shook it with a brief nod. “I'm Olivia,” I offered, smiling weakly in return.
“I remember,” Madeline nodded. “You saved us back in Thena. I wanted to come here and thank you personally.”
Adelaide put her feet back on the ground with a thud as she glanced between us. “Olivia?” Her voice was soft and timid, almost afraid to ask and yet needing to say what was on her mind. “Can I live with my Auntie Maddie?”
I nodded slowly. “That's up to Madeline,” I acknowledged. I wasn't sure what she felt up to now or in the future. Nearly two weeks ago she'd almost died. She looked to be in perfect health, but I couldn't be sure.
“I would love to have you come live with me, Adelaide,” Madeline smiled. “And anytime you want to come visit Olivia, I'm sure she'd like that too.”
“Can I?” Adelaide asked, glancing back towards me. “Can I come over and see you?”
“Of course.” I bent down to give the girl a hug. I glanced at Madeline. “Where are you staying?” I wanted to make sure Adelaide would be comfortable and well cared for.
“Chancellor Collins is putting me up in a house at the end of this block.” She gestured towards the left. “He's offered to assign someone to tutor Adelaide with schoolwork,” Madeline admitted. “He seems nice. Incredibly helpful. I hoped you might continue teaching her some basic self-defense after school? I heard she's pretty good with a Bo Staff.”
I smiled faintly, relieved she wasn't upset for what we'd already taught her. “Of course,” I nodded. “Come in.” I gestured, realizing I was being rude. “Everyone's been so supportive in providing us clothes and toys. You should take it all home with you,” I encouraged, walking up the stairs and hearing Adelaide's soft patter right behind me.
Between the three of us, we piled the clothes and toys together, and walked down the block to their new home. It wasn't much to carry but certainly much more than Adelaide had come to Shadow with. Helping Adelaide unpack in her new home, I already felt my heart tug, realizing I would miss her. Even though she was only a few yards away, it was still difficult knowing I wouldn't be the one tucking her into bed and keeping her safe. I had to trust that Madeline would do a decent job and in some ways it worried me.
Finally finishing unpacking, I headed for the door. Adelaide gave me the biggest hug. “Can I say goodbye to Joshua later?” she asked me. He hadn't been around that morning and I nodded, giving her a hug in return.
“Of course. I bet I'll see you both tonight at dinner.” I smiled, knowing we almost always ate in the cafeteria and I'd likely see Adelaide and Madeline in there if they joined us.
Adelaide grinned, waving as I walked outside. “I hope so!” She smiled, continuing to wave. “Bye Olivia!”
Already I missed her. I bit down on my bottom lip, trying to keep myself from crying. It was stupid. She was fine. She had a family that loved her. She didn't need me. It still hurt though. Watching her return home to a family she was a part of, I never expected. “Goodbye,” I whispered but the door had already closed behind me and I was halfway back home.
By the time I reached the front door, I was surprised to see Joshua inside. “What are you doing back already?” I wiped at the stray tear, not wanting him to see me upset.
“Taking a break from work,” he remarked. “Where's Adelaide? What's wrong?” He walked towards me, wrapping his arms around me as I moved my head to his neck, pulling him tight.
“She's with her family,” I whispered, trying to be happy. It wasn't easy.
“What do you mean, Olive?” His voice sounded wary. He pulled back, trying to stare at me.
“Her aunt, apparently she was one of the people I rescued from Thena. She's alive and fine.” I wiped the tears with the back of my hand. “I should be happy, I know,” I acknowledged. “Adelaide wanted to go home with her. I couldn't say no. I mean, she is her family. Besides, at least we can still visit her. She lives just down the street.” I tried to make light of the situation. I felt Joshua pull me towards the sofa as he sat down, bringing me onto his lap.
Joshua stared at me curiously. “Why didn't you mention this to me sooner?”
“Mention what?” My tears had dried but my heart was heavy. I rested my forehead against his, staring into his eyes.
I felt his hands moving down and across my back. “That her aunt was one of the people you rescued from Thena. Besides, I thought they both died?”
“Me too,” I sighed, leaning in and kissing him softly. Every ounce of me ached. I wanted to feel needed. I needed to feel loved. My lips moved over his hungrily and my fingers slid down his torso, finding the edge of his shirt and working my fingers beneath the material.
Joshua pulled back, resting a hand over mine. “Not like this, Olive,” he told me, shaking his head.
I nodded, knowing he was right. “Adelaide didn't see who we rescued. She couldn't have known her aunt was here. Besides—” I let out a heavy sigh, resting my forehead against his again. This time I closed my eyes. “She didn't exactly have any papers on her. There was no way to know who she was. Adelaide has her family back. She deserves to be happy,” I remarked.
I felt the pad of his thumb stroke my cheek as my eyes fluttered open. “So do you,” Joshua whispered. “Maybe it's better this way.” He tried to make sense of all that had happened. “We can't bring her with us across the country fighting the government. She needs a family here that can protect her.”
“I could have been that family,” I whispered. I knew Joshua was right. Shadow was going to expect something of me. They hadn't treated us with Mindonsiphan merely for fun. There were expectations we had to meet. A war was coming and they needed us to fight in it. We were trained soldiers and soon we'd be ready.
He kissed me softly, quieting me as we shifted on the sofa. I found the plush material against my back as he propped himself above me. My fingers reached his cheek, staring up at him. “You never told me why you were home early.” I needed a distraction.
“It doesn't matter.” He leaned down, kissing the pain away. “One day we'll start our own family,” he whispered between kisses. His warm breath tickled my skin and I felt my body flush as his lips found their way down to my neck.
“Josh,” I moaned as my palms moved across his back, pulling at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin, needing to feel more.
Our kisses were hot and fierce and finally Joshua pulled back, gasping for air. I didn't have to ask him why he stopped. We weren't like other couples. Maybe sex wasn't talked about, but it was only because there were no consequences of such actions for other people. We weren't so lucky. I couldn't risk getting pregnant. I didn't know what it would take, once or a hundred times, but we couldn't fall into our desires. Not now, not yet. It wasn't time.
As disappointed as I was that Joshua pulled away, I respected his decision and knew he was right. We needed to wait.
CHAPTER 12
It had been more than a month since Jaxon, Mason, and Margo left the rebel city in search of the outlying rebel cities of Torv and Spade. In just a few weeks so much had happened. We'd had a drone fly over our city and attack our allies. We'd managed a search and rescue mission with just two members of Shadow leading it and we'd saved three lives. If that wasn't enough excitement in Shadow, an outlaw had nearly found his way into town and another had been murdered just a few klicks from our home. After all that happened, I always kept my ear trained for drones. We never knew when our skies would turn deadly. Our lives seemed always to be at risk. It had become a familiar though unsettling feeling.
Today, Joshua, Hazel, and I trained. Hazel knew most of the aggressive moves. She hardly took it easy on us. It was tough training with Hazel but it was imperative we were skilled and could adapt to any situation. Besides, my understanding of the Mindonsiphan was you use it or lose it. If you didn't continue training and using your abilities for six months, the process would remain forever dormant. I wondered if it was true. Neither of us took the chance, spending nearly every waking hour practicing and studying our craft.
“So, when do we start using swords?” I joked, blocking Josh's blow with my right arm and slipping my leg beneath his, knocking him flat on his back.
Joshua grunted as he picked himself up. “I don't want to be around you with a sword.”
“Oh, come on!” I laughed. “I have a dagger. It's just a smaller version.” The smile never left my face as I motioned for him to come closer. I waited for him to approach me, expected an arm, and raised mine to block only to feel myself flat on my back, my feet pulled out from under me.
“All's fair in love and war, dear,” Joshua teased, offering me a hand to help me to my feet. “For the record, I never fight you with your dagger. In case you haven't noticed.”
“Scared?” I taunted him. Joshua laughed. “No, I just don't have a death wish.” I didn't argue. “You want to go again?” he asked.
“Give me a few to recover?” I still felt out of breath as he'd caught me off guard, knocking the wind out of me. I went to grab some water, surprised when I heard all the commotion outside. I couldn't quite make out what was going on. I jogged out of the gymnasium into the hallway, making a sharp right where the panel window lit the halls. I wiped the dirt and grime away with my hand, getting a better look.
“What do you see?” Joshua asked, coming to stand beside me. I hadn't heard him follow me out of the gymnasium.
“Looks like they're back,” I said, seeing the vehicle with Mason and a few others I didn't recognize. “Where's Margo and Jaxon?” I felt even more confused seeing visitors they'd brought with them. “Are they allowed to do that?” I glanced at Joshua and saw Hazel was already outside. She must have used the gymnasium exit to see what was going on.
I eyed Joshua, my stomach flip-flopping in confusion. “I thought visitors weren't allowed?” Though I knew we'd rescued our allies from Thena, it still felt like a different situation not knowing the people of Torv and Spade and knowing even less if we could trust them. “Should we go out there?” I asked Joshua as Hazel approached the new guests. Why had they brought back people from the rebel cities? Would the Chancellor have been against it? It was a huge risk to the town and its people.
I didn't waste another minute waiting for an answer as I moved away from the window and headed for the main door, curious as to what was going on. “Where's Margo and Jaxon?” I asked as we slowly moved towards the vehicle. My stomach tensed and I felt the color dr
ain from my face as I saw a small urn in the backseat. Someone hadn't survived.
Mason's face was pale, somber as he let out a heavy sigh. “We ran into an ambush. Margo and I drove to Spade while Jaxon was discussing particulars with the high council.” His eyes glassed over, holding back his tears as he trained his stare down on the ground in front of him. “We didn't even come close to reaching the front gate before we were attacked. Guards stood at their posts and without so much as a warning shot, arrows started whizzing by our heads. Three pierced Margo's chest. I turned the vehicle around and high-tailed it out of there. No sense in both of us coming back in urns.” I could see the pain behind his eyes as he did his best to act tough, unaffected. “I drove her back to Torv for help but it was too late. By the time we got there,” he shook his head, “she'd already bled out too much. They couldn't save her.”
I moved closer, wrapping my arms around Mason, giving him a hug. “I'm so sorry,” I whispered, knowing it must have been awful to witness such a horrific event. Just hearing about it made me want to cry. Margo had been a good friend during training: she challenged me and made me stronger. She'd been one of the few recruits I could actually rely on. I paused, almost afraid to ask. “And Jaxon?”
“He stayed in Torv for the time being. He felt he'd be more help there than in Shadow.” Mason finally caught my stare. “I think he wasn't ready to say goodbye to Margo.”
I nodded faintly, understanding. No one was ready and driving back would have made it all the more real. “I'm not sure any of us are ready,” I whispered, pulling back as I chewed my bottom lip. I felt Joshua's hand find mine and I glanced at him with a weak smile. He didn't have to say it: he was grateful we hadn't been the ones to go.