by S. C. Ransom
“It seems fine. I feel pretty rubbish though. Really cold.”
“It’s probably shock. It’s not every day that someone tries to cut your throat.”
“Maybe,” he said, pulling his sleeves down over his hands. “I’d really like to know where Foggy has gone,” he added, peering down another tunnel as we passed. “He’s always running off, and he’s pretty good at finding his way home, but it would be a relief to know that he was safe.”
“Foggy will be fine, I’m sure – didn’t you say he has a knack of being in the right place at the right time? Perhaps he’ll come and rescue us!”
I didn’t believe that any more than Will did, but we gave each other strained little smiles as the guards pulled us apart again.
News of our capture had obviously spread among the Community, and faces were appearing at the doorways and tunnel mouths as we approached. They must have been falling into place behind us though, as I could tell by the footsteps and murmuring that there was a huge crowd following us. We were dragged on, moving between pools of light from the dim bulbs strung just above our heads. I couldn’t believe how far we had walked – the place was a vast warren of small, intersecting tunnels. For a fraction of a second I could feel the weight of all the mud and stone above me, and a wave of claustrophobia gripped me. But then the low ceiling was gone.
It was replaced by an immense vaulted chamber that was lit at head height all around the edge by a string of bright white bulbs. The space was about the size of my school assembly hall, and empty apart from a carved chair with a plush-looking cushion on a stage at the far end. Some odd, abstract art was painted on the walls. To the right was a tall, raised platform about twice my height – the sort of stone plinth you would put a statue on – and Aria was being pushed up a ladder to the top. Several other similar platforms were arranged around the edges of the chamber, and I could see a man pointing to Will and me.
“This doesn’t look good,” said Will, looking over at Aria’s frightened face as she stood alone on the top.
“I’m so sorry that I got you into all this,” I said quickly as the men holding our arms started to separate us. “So very sorry.”
Will was pulled backwards, and he looked as if he was about to say something but the crowd poured in between us. I was dragged along to the nearest platform, and the man finally let go of my arms when we reached a ladder made of a mismatched selection of wood lashed together with strips of rag.
“Up!” he ordered, poking me in the back with a stick.
The ladder was pretty rickety, and I wasn’t sure that some of the rungs would take my weight, but I didn’t have much choice but to continue. As soon as I reached the smooth stone surface at the top, the ladder was taken away. It seemed much higher than it looked from the floor, and the square of stone wasn’t huge either. I knelt down, keen to keep a sudden wave of giddiness under control, and took several deep breaths.
“Don’t look down, don’t look down,” I repeated to myself.
The attack passed, and when I finally opened my eyes I looked straight out, trying to ignore all the hustle and bustle below me. I was trying really hard not to give in to the panic that was threatening to overwhelm me. On this stone platform, with a top that was barely larger than Nan’s kitchen table, panicking wasn’t going to be a good thing.
I glanced around the circular vaulted chamber. It was about a quarter full of people, but others were arriving all the time. From my vantage point I could see everything. Aria and Will were on similar plinths, looking nervously at the drop below. As the people filed in they lined up in rows facing the single chair, before sitting down on the floor. The men were at the front, and the women and a few children were nearer the back. Each member of the Community looked eerily similar – dark-haired and pale, just like Aria, and very few of them were particularly tall. They were dressed in a weird concoction of clothes, all in drab colours and showing very little skin. I had never got back the hoodie from Will after he had been using it to give the dog the scent, and I had no idea where it had gone. My skimpy vest top was making me feel almost naked among this crowd. Every single one of them was staring up at Will and me, open-mouthed. Some pointed and laughed, and being so closely observed when I had absolutely nowhere to hide was making me even more uncomfortable.
Will was crouching down, brushing his hair out of his eyes and looking around in amazement. I raised my eyebrows at him and I could see him mouth something at me – “OK?” I nodded back, determined to be brave, and turned to look at Aria. She was standing upright with her shoulders back, hands clasped behind her, staring at the wall above the chair. I looked over to see what she was staring at and started in surprise. What had seemed at first glance to be a random jumble of shapes painted on the wall, I could now see was a representation of the Tower of London.
I glanced around to see if I could make sense of any of the other pictures around the room but before I could, the crowd suddenly got to its feet. The Farmer walked on to the stage and stood in front of the chair. He sat down and raised his hand to the silent crowd before nodding. Almost in a single movement everyone in the room sat back down. The Farmer then turned to look at the three of us.
“Stand up,” someone below me hissed.
I scrambled to my feet and saw that Will was doing the same. Aria continued standing motionless, looking at the wall.
“People of the Community,” said the Farmer, “thank you for coming to this special trial. I am sorry that we have had to take you away from your daily tasks but, as you know, by our laws, everyone needs to witness the passing of judgement on transgressors. I do not, however, expect that this will take very long.
“As you may have heard, two of the accused here before us are from Above. They have tricked their way down here with the express intent of stealing one of our own and taking her back Above.”
At this there was a general gasp around the room, and a wave of faces turned to get a better look at us.
“And the reason that these Aboves even knew we were here?” He paused, making eye contact with as many people as he could before pointing at Aria. “Because she told them! She revealed our secrets to these strangers and told them how to find us. Why? She refuses to tell us, but there can be no excuse.
“Aria insists that she hasn’t told anyone how to reach us, or what our defences are, but these two clearly made it down with ease. How can we be sure she didn’t tell more people?” He stood up, his fist waving in the air. “At this very moment, whole legions of Aboves may be preparing to do battle with the Crop, to force their way in here and take you all away to their world of lies, pain and hatred. It’s my job to protect you from that terrible fate!”
The gasps of amazement had turned into mutterings of agreement, and all round the room I could see heads shaking. But when I turned to look at Aria she was standing as still as before.
I stand on the column of shame, determined not to show my fear. I’ve seen many people beg and cry and plead for mercy from these columns, but no one has ever been forgiven. I try to keep my attention fixed on the picture on the wall, knowing now that it is a poor impression of a majestic building. I try to remember every detail of the real thing, keeping my mind off what is going on below me.
A man at the back of the crowd shouts out. “Feeders, the lot of ’em! Get ’em to the Crop now!”
Everyone joins in, shouting and shaking their fists at us.
“Feeders, Feeders, Feeders, FEEDERS!”
There is always shouting at trials, because everyone is desperate to be seen to be supporting the Farmer. I feel ashamed of the times I stood at the back shouting too.
The Farmer holds his hand up and the chanting stops. It is always the same, and there is never any response, but the law says that we must ask before the vote is taken.
“You each have a vote,” he starts, “and every vote will count, but as custom dictates I will give you my advice. I must first ask if there is anyone in the room who will stand in defence o
f either of these invaders, or the traitor. If anyone here would say a few words for the prisoners, to present alternative evidence or to claim leniency, you are now to declare it.”
As usual there is an expectant hush, and everyone peers around to make sure that no one is actually going to say anything.
“Good people, this is a crime unlike any other we have ever seen, and I believe that it should reap the harshest penalty. My advice is to Assign these people to—”
“Farmer, I would say a few words.”
There is a gasp from the crowd, and all of them are straining to see who is standing up. I can hear the whispers.
“It’s Dane!”
“Dane?”
Dane. My heart almost misses a beat. Just what is he going to say? Part of me wants him to confess, to admit that he and I were working together to kidnap Lily. I want them to know that the whole thing was part of a plan to bring down the Farmer. Lily has no idea that she is one of us, and as the Farmer’s daughter the only one who can take on the Farmer’s role. Without her to control it, the Crop will kill us all.
I try to speak, to stop him from revealing his part in our conspiracy, but my mouth is so dry that nothing comes out, and then it is too late.
“Farmer, I would stand for one of the prisoners.”
“I will hear you, Dane. Which of the prisoners do you defend?”
“I stand for her.”
I gasp. Dane is pointing at Lily.
There was utter silence after the gasp, which echoed round the chamber. Dane continued to stand there, pointing in my direction. I could see Will looking confused, and then I looked at Aria. She had been utterly composed up until then, staring impassively at the wall above the Farmer’s head, but as Dane had spoken she’d turned to look at me. It was as if someone had put the light out inside her.
The Farmer was still on his feet. His tone was icy.
“As is the custom, any of us has the right to stand for any accused. What would you say to the Community in her defence?”
Dane lowered his arm. His voice carried clearly around the chamber.
“She is a female of a certain age. Our women can’t carry our children any more, so I think we should try an Above. I want her as a Breeder.”
As he said the word, Aria’s head snapped up and she shot him a look I couldn’t decipher.
How can Dane possibly want her to be his Breeder? Did he want this all along, or is he adapting the plan to suit the events?
I see his face and I know. She is what he wants, and I’m to be the sacrifice. I feel my heart breaking.
The Farmer spoke up.
“This is unacceptable. The girl is an Above, and therefore completely contaminated. She can’t possibly join the Community. The rules are very clear.”
“Farmer, I understand that, and I wouldn’t want her unclean ways infecting our world or our people, but I believe that she can be kept in isolation and used for breeding. Wouldn’t it be good to have some healthy babies in the cots for a change?”
At this he looked around as if inviting responses from the rest of the audience. There was an indistinct mutter and a few heads nodded, but most people seemed to be waiting for the Farmer’s verdict.
My head was swimming. Dane said he wanted to save my life, but only so that I could join his breeding programme. Death, or a life locked up and pregnant? I didn’t want either. Was he serious, or was this some elaborate double-bluff to help us all?
“What proof do we have that she’ll breed true?” challenged the Farmer, crossing his arms as he stood facing the crowd.
“We have no proof, Farmer. Just the knowledge that the women Above seem to have very few problems in delivering healthy children.” Dane hesitated for a moment. “It’s a chance we would have to take, but really, what do we have to lose?”
“How do we know that she isn’t already carrying a child from Above?” This time it was one of the men in the crowd who spoke.
Dane laughed. “I know that you think she looks otherwise, Farmer, but for an Above, she is a mere child. No one will have touched her, I guarantee it.”
“What about him then? Wasn’t she with him? How do we know he hasn’t touched her?”
The shout from the crowd caused all heads to turn towards Will, who blushed scarlet and shook his head.
“Really, I mean, of course not! I wouldn’t – I couldn’t!”
The people in the chamber roared with laughter, and I felt sick. The Farmer held out his arms to quieten the crowd and started to speak.
“People…”
“I will speak!” I called out.
The people nearest to me heard, and turned to look at me in surprise, nudging their neighbours. The silence radiated away from me like a ripple in a pond. I was almost paralysed with fear, and I could feel the sweat breaking out on the palms of my hands. Wiping them quickly on my jeans I tried to stand up as tall as possible, facing the Farmer.
“I will speak,” I repeated more quietly, glancing at Aria, who was watching with her hands over her mouth.
“I don’t believe we have invited you to do so,” said the Farmer.
“And I don’t believe that you can volunteer me for a breeding programme either! I’m only a child. Why would you possibly want me to breed? You have dozens of women here. They can have your children – pure, Community children.”
“You are unaware of our customs so I will be lenient. But remember, girl, here people on trial only speak when they are spoken to.”
“From what I’m hearing, I don’t have a great future here anyway, so you might as well tell me what’s going on. Why do you need me?”
It was Dane who spoke up.
“Farmer, may I explain to her?”
The Farmer nodded almost imperceptibly, so Dane turned to face me.
“The women here are no longer able to breed as they used to. Only one out of every five or six babies is born alive, with many others dying in infancy. We are now not producing anything like enough children to sustain the Community.”
He turned back to the older men.
“If this experiment works, if she can produce three, four or five healthy children in the next few years, then we can try getting some more Aboves. Within ten years we could be back up to pre-crisis levels.” He opened his arms to the crowd immediately around him, palms up. “Don’t you men want children who’ll live? Children who will take your name and secure the future of the Community? She can do that for us!”
There was a murmur of agreement from the front of the room. The women at the back all looked appalled, and a few of them shouted out.
“She’s contaminated!”
“Send her back!”
“I have another question!” I shouted over the rising clamouring. “Why don’t you just ask up Above for help? Aria can tell you that we are not evil. If people knew you were here and needed medicines, they would bring them.”
The chamber fell silent as I spoke, and as I finished the people all started turning back towards the Farmer. I could have heard a pin drop as I held my breath, waiting to hear what he had to say.
He shook his head.
“How little you know about your own people,” he said, sitting back in his chair. “The Community was set up because the Aboves didn’t want our ancestors in their society, and when we have asked for help in the past, none has been provided. So we will never ask for help again, but we will take revenge and take back what is rightfully ours.”
His conversational tone made the words all the more chilling. Tenting his fingers he looked at me with a slight smile.
“We will take it back,” he repeated. “And soon.”
The cry from the crowd made me jump.
“That’s right, take it back!”
“They don’t deserve it!”
“It’s ours!”
The call continued around the chamber.
“Take what back? What is it that you want?” I shouted.
The Farmer fixed me with an unblinking ga
ze as the room fell silent again.
“London. We will take back London.”
Lily has asked the question that proves my point – the Farmer is utterly deluded. However big the Crop is – whatever it is – it can’t take out all of London. I wonder for a moment if he has ever been Above and seen the scale of it for himself. Will some of the others join us now and rise up against him? I look around the room but all I can see are people congratulating each other. Howard is even slapping Dane on the back. The Elders have approached the Farmer and they are having some sort of discussion. While they are busy I steal a glance at Will. He is looking towards Lily and as I watch he mouths a word to her. I can’t be sure but I think that it is “Sorry”.
I felt so alone standing high above the crowd, watching my fate being discussed. I couldn’t quite believe that those really were the only choices available to me. There had to be some alternative that would allow me to go home.
For a second the thought of Nan made my eyes prick with tears, and my hand automatically went to the necklace she gave me. What would she think if we never returned? When they realised Will had gone too, would she believe that we had run away together? Would she think that I would do that without leaving a note?
Whatever she thought it was better than her knowing the truth. Somewhere up above us she would begin to get worried. When would she realise the note about the choir trip was a lie and start to call the girls in my class, the hospital, the police? And when would she actually pick up the phone to tell my parents?
Thoughts were crowding around my head and I was finding it hard to breathe. I really needed to sit down, but I didn’t want to seem weak. Soon, though, I was going to keel over. The crowd were still looking up at me and whispering to each other, and the general level of noise in the room was rising. And it was getting hot, I realised, as I felt a drip of sweat run down my back. If I fainted and fell off the column I would be horribly injured. Sitting down with my feet over the edge might work. I didn’t want to kneel in front of Dane and the Farmer.