EVO Nation Series Trilogy Box Set

by K. J. Chapman

  “Err, I don’t know?” All three of them have mischievous glints in their eyes, so I run to Haydn to protect me.

  He scoops me onto his lap, shielding me from them. “I won’t let you turn our Teddie into a clown,” he jokes. His words slur from the amount of wine he has downed.

  I shriek as Golding tries to prize me from him.

  “Pin her down, Gold,” squeals Yana.

  I shriek again as Emiko jumps on top of us, smearing lipstick on my mouth.

  “Eurgh, that went on my teeth,” I say, laughing. I burst to my feet, sprinting around Adam and Wheeler, wiping the make-up from my mouth.

  Adam pulls me onto his lap. “Hold her head still, mate,” he says to Wheeler.

  I struggle in their arms, my body tingling from Adam’s hold on my waist. Emiko leans with the lipstick and applies a more even coat to my mouth.

  Haydn jumps up to join in, stumbles on his dodgy knee, and knocks Yana into me. My bad arm slams into Wheeler’s elbow and my ribs hit hard against Adam’s forearm. The air leaves my lungs as pain erupts in my right side. I scream out. Adam’s hold on me instantly vanishes.

  Rolling from their laps, I drop on to my knees, blinking away tears. I check my dressing for blood, but it seems okay. “I’m okay,” I groan, clenching my hands to disguise their shaking.

  Adam’s hands take me gently under the arms and lift me back onto his lap. “Okay, enough fun for tonight,” he says. “Come with me.”

  I allow him to take my hand and lead me into the bathroom. The lights have a stark brightness compared to the candles in the other room.

  “I’m sure it’s fine. It was just a bump,” I say, as he unwinds my dressing. The stitches are still intact, although they now look red and angry.

  Adam squints, lowering his head to them, examining them. “Purple thread?” he asks.

  I smile, following his gaze. He looks up at me. Our faces are just inches apart. Not wanting to make the same mistake as before, I pull away, leaving space between us.

  “They look fine. Did you catch your ribs too?” His hand moves to the hem of my top and he lifts it slightly. My bruising looks a ghastly mix of green and black on both sides of my body. He recoils at the sight of it, spins me around, and lifts my top at the back. “How did this happen?” he asks. He looks genuinely concerned. The same look he had when he saw me the morning after the attack.

  “One of Roscoe’s tests,” I say, shrugging. “He ordered a TORO to kick seven bells out of me to try and get me to use my telekinesis.”

  Adam sits down on the toilet, his hand still holding up my top. “Please, say it wasn’t me.”

  “It wasn’t you,” I confirm, lowering my top again.

  He exhales and relief soothes the tension in his face.

  The smudged lipstick makes my lips look chapped. I rub it off with the back of my hand. “It’s stained a bit,” I say, rubbing at my chin. “I don’t know why anyone wants to wear this stuff?”

  “Me neither,” he agrees. “Like I said, I think you’re pretty. You don’t need make-up.”

  My breath catches in my throat and I swallow hard before speaking. “Thank you.”

  He pulls me close to him and winds the bandage back into place. Every time his hands brush my skin, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I stay silent and enjoy the moment. I can almost pretend that we’re back the way we were.

  “You were quiet over dinner,” he says.

  “I feel bad for enjoying myself. We only buried Norah and Boyd yesterday, and Roscoe killed my Mum and Dad not even two weeks ago.”

  “I thought Isaac is your Dad?” he asks.

  “He is. It’s a long story,” I sigh. I can’t be getting into it again. I’m drained from the constant, emotional battle raging in my head.

  “I lost both my parents in a car crash. I know what you’re going through. It sucks, and I’m sorry.” He double checks my dressing before getting to his feet. “Do you know why we feel pain?” he asks, a spark returning to his eye.

  I smile. “So, we know what amazing feels like.”

  His mouth falls open. “How do you know that? It was something my Mum used to say to me when I was a boy.”

  “You got me through a difficult time,” I say, keeping my eyes on his. “And I’m glad you remember your parents now.”

  “You really do remember me from Facility One,” he says, changing the subject, but not for the better.

  “Yes, but I’d rather not talk about that place either.”

  His face falls, but he nods, and then leaves the bathroom. I stay there for a few moments, staring at my reflection and fighting the urge to breakdown. He’s slipping away again.

  ***

  When I emerge from the bathroom, there is a new tension in the air.

  “I have to thank you, actually. If it wasn’t for you, I’d never have gotten in that dumbwaiter lift. I thought you were a bit of an asshole at the time, but I was grateful all the same. It must have taken some balls to help us and know you were going to be left behind,” says Haydn. His cheeks are flushed from the alcohol and he stumbles over his words. “Teddie wasn’t having any of it, though. She wouldn’t leave you behind. I suppose, it’s down to Teds that you’re even here. She took a bullet for me and Yana, you know? And how do I repay her? I drop a TORO on her head.”

  My mouth falls open. He can’t be telling Adam this.

  “Okay, Buddy. I think you’ve had enough,” Golding interrupts. He takes Haydn’s glass and hands it to Yana. “I think we better be getting back.”

  “But Adam asked,” says Haydn, holding his hands up to the air.

  I help Golding pull Haydn to his feet. “Yes, Isaac will be freaking out if we’re not back soon,” I say.

  Adam watches my every move; his eyes lingering on my arm and the bruises peeking out from under my top. I turn away.

  “It’s down to you that I’m here?” he asks me.

  “We really shouldn’t be talking about this,” I say to the others. “Remember what Yvette said about implanting false memories.”

  Haydn clasps a hand to his mouth, his bloodshot eyes understanding what he has done. “Forget what I just said,” he says to Adam.

  Wheeler shakes his head. “Surely, false memories will only be a problem when there is a chance of Ad remembering them. Yvette has manipulated those memories, so they’re not going to return, are they?”

  I physically grab my stomach to steady myself. I never thought of it like that. Adam doesn’t look away from me, he doesn’t even blink. Keep yourself together, Teddie.

  “Can I try something?” Golding steps forward, wrapping his hands around Adam’s forearms. He holds his gaze. “You are going to remember everything that has happened after Yvette manipulated you back to yourself at Facility One.” Golding’s pupils dilate, so nearly the whole of his blue iris disappears. Then, he lets go of Adam’s arms, and his pupils return to normal. “Feel any different?” he asks him.

  “Not really, should I?” Adam asks.

  Golding shrugs. “God knows? I’ve never tried to influence someone to un-manipulate themselves before. Worth a try, though.”

  Adam looks back to me, but there is no recognition there. I’m thankful to Golding for trying, but Yvette has made sure that he’ll not remember us.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  I wake up with a sick feeling in my stomach. My dreams have been coming in non-stop waves all night. I dream of kissing Adam for the first time in the supply room of Facility One, as if I’m watching myself through his eyes. I can feel his emotion- the emotion he used to have toward me. Clearly, my subconscious wants to rub salt in my wounds.

  For a moment, I forget about the cold hard truth that Adam will never remember me, but the thought slowly seeps back into every ounce of my being and smothers me until I’m sobbing again. After crying myself to sleep last night, I wouldn’t have thought I had any tears left. I will let myself cry now, but then I need to focus.

  Today’s the day I’ve
got to meet Jude. A hundred and one things race through my mind. The most prominent one being that I have no idea how I’m going to get away at midnight to meet him.

  I try out another of the outfits Golding picked for me: a white crop top and denim shorts. An area of bruising peeks out from under the hem of the crop top, but it’s cool and comfortable. The heat is already stifling.

  Golding bangs at the bedroom window. “I’ve just seen Wheeler. Did you know there is a paint party at the club tonight? We’ve been invited. And... Seth’s going to be there,” he says, bouncing around like a loon.

  “Sounds good, have fun,” I say.

  He stops jumping around to stare at me opened mouthed. “You’re not coming?”

  “I’m not in the mood for a party,” I say, opening the window and helping him climb in.

  “If this is about Adam—”

  “Partly.”

  Golding takes my hands, shaking them violently. “Teddie, I need a wing woman tonight. What if I lose my nerve with Seth?”

  “Golding, lose his nerve? Never,” I say, smiling.

  “I thought you’d jump at an excuse to get out of this place,” he says.

  An excuse to get out is exactly what I do need. This might just be the break I have been waiting for to meet Jude, and if I’m Golding’s wing woman, then he can be my wing man when I need him to cover for me.

  “Okay,” I say. “But don’t expect me to enjoy myself.”

  “I wouldn’t dare,” he says, grinning.

  ***

  The club is heaving with punters, and still, the first face I clock is Celeste’s. She looks absolutely stunning in a short, black dress and heels. A slit stretches up to her hip, and if she is wearing underwear I’d be surprised. I’m not usually a jealous person, but when I see that it’s Adam she’s talking to whilst twirling her hair around her finger, I want to let the green-eyed monster fly and gouge her eyes out.

  Golding grabs my hand and points to my right. Seth stands solo with his back against the bar. He spots us and waves. Dragging Golding along with me, I weave through the crowd and join him. I push Golding ahead of me, so he is the first to greet Seth. The pair share an awkward hug. Yana and I exchange an amused look, but Haydn, a little out of his comfort zone, is relieved to find a seat in an alcove.

  Emiko is serving behind the bar. I head over to say hello. “Hey Emi. Thank you again for last night,” I call over the music.

  She waves her hand dismissively. “It was my pleasure. I love the flowers by the way,” she says, pointing to my head.

  I touch the flower headband that Golding forced on my head. It was his attempt to ‘tie my look together’, after I flat out refused to wear the virtually see-through dress he picked for me. I didn’t bother to change, that would show enthusiasm.

  “Where’s Wheeler? I wanted to say hi.”

  Emiko nods in the direction of Adam and Celeste. Wheeler chats to Adam with a tray of empties perched in his hands. Celeste stands noticeably close to Adam, but at least he appears to be ignoring her in favour of Wheeler.

  Wheeler heads over and kisses my cheek. “Hey, Baby Girl, glad you could make it. You couldn’t do me a favour and rescue Adam, could you?” he says, nodding in Adam’s direction.

  Celeste is all but doing a lap dance for him, but he is watching me and Wheeler. I catch his eyes and he nods a hello. I take a deep breath, weaving my way over to him. Celeste leans up against the wall beside Adam when she sees me.

  “Can I speak to you for a minute,” I ask him.

  Celeste leans forward. “He’s busy.”

  “I wasn’t asking you,” I snap.

  Adam’s lips twitch in amusement and he steps away from Celeste, turning his back, blocking me from her view. She huffs before turning her attention back to her friends.

  They all giggle, and comments such as ‘Oh my god, has she seriously come in converse?’ and ‘What’s with the flowers. She does know it isn’t 1960, right?’ carries over the music. Adam looks down to my feet, and I shift uncomfortably, but his expression remains neutral.

  “Wheeler thought you needed rescuing,” I say, loudly. “I need a drink before I melt. What are you having?”

  He grins. “Guinness. I’ll come with you, and for the record, I like the converse and the flowers,” he says, winking.

  Celeste chokes on her shot, and a familiar fizz bubbles in my stomach. He doesn’t look to say goodbye to her. Instead, he takes my hand purposefully, meandering through the crowds toward the bar.

  Yana appears from nowhere, screaming that the paint rave is about to start, and drags me to the dance floor, away from Adam. I look back over my shoulder. Adam shrugs, carrying on to the bar. We meet with Golding and Seth who are deep in whispered conversation.

  “I’m going to sit this one out. Where’s Haydn?”

  “He says he’s got heat stroke.” She glances back at Haydn and smiles. “It’s a hangover, but he won’t admit it. He was knocking them back last night,” she says, laughing.

  The DJ counts down from ten, and there is a thunder of feet as everyone piles on to the dance floor. We’re cramped in and jostled about by dancing bodies. Two girls clad only in bikinis climb on stage with what appear to be super soakers, and on the count of one, paint is fired from metal cannons and the girls let rip.

  The cold paint is a shock to my hot skin. Celeste and her entourage haven’t joined in. I’m not surprised. They watch the rest of us like we’re the scum of the earth.

  Golding jumps onto Seth’s back, and Yana onto mine. My arm smarts from the tension of holding her legs. Adam and Wheeler rush in to the herd of paint covered punters. They join in with the ravers as another onslaught of paint hits us and blur them from my view.

  Everyone is bouncing around and jammed against each other like sardines. This feels wrong. Another blast of paint splatters across my neck and chest. We shouldn’t be partying with these people like their leader hasn’t just murdered our friends. I can’t breathe. I’m sandwiched in and can’t see a way out. My thoughts overwhelm me. Please, not another attack.

  I drop Yana onto her feet, allowing Golding and Seth to pull her into their huddle. A tall woman backs into me, knocking me into another man. I need to get out, but trying to get through the jostling crowd is harder than it looks. I can barely squeeze through the bodies. Something hits into my bad arm. I’m half the height of some of the men and claustrophobia threatens me. I need to get away from these people.

  My mind races with memories of Dad, Mum, Norah, Boyd, Leon, Trina. I feel sick to my stomach with grief, guilt, and betrayal for even coming tonight, and my eyes burn from the threat of tears. I hold my hands out in front of me to open a path. Please, let me out! I fumble around like a blind badger.

  A strong hand clamps around my own. It’s Adam, splattered in green and pink paint. The crowd parts like the red sea as he strides through, pulling me along behind him. He is a head taller than some of the tallest men in here. I think it’s a case of move or get flattened.

  “It looked like you needed a hand,” he says. “Are you okay?”

  I nod, but I don’t trust myself to speak. I sprint outside, taking in a few deep gulps of air. What is wrong with me? I can’t seem to keep myself together.

  I carry on running over to the railings. The sea is out, and a few people stroll along the moonlit beach. A warm breeze dries the paint to my skin.

  “I won’t ask you if you’re okay because I know you’re not,” says Haydn, appearing at the railings beside me. He watches the people on the beach.

  “What are we doing, Haydn? We buried our friends yesterday. I lost both my parents. I can’t play at being okay,” I say, wiping at my wet cheeks. “I thought I could, but I can’t.”

  He puts his arm around my shoulder and looks out at sea. “There is no right or wrong way to grieve. You have to do what gets you through and that’s it. I know I don’t have the best advice, but I give good hugs. I think that kind of makes up for it.” He brings me in close, a
nd I allow his bear like arms to squeeze the air out of me. “Come on, let’s go and keep an eye on everyone’s jackets together,” he jokes.

  I inhale deeply, and once I’m sure I’m ready to go back inside, I let him go. Adam is stood just feet away, watching us.

  “Teddie, do you fancy a walk?” he asks.

  Haydn nudges me toward him. “Fresh air is a good idea. She just had a bit of a panic attack,” he says.

  I pinch his arm. Haydn is a great consoler, but a lousy confidant. “I’ll see you in a bit, Hay.”

  I watch him head back into the club, and then turn back to Adam. His eyes are full of concern, but I shrug it off. The last thing I want to add to our dysfunctional relationship, if you can call it that, is pity.

  “Thank you for getting me out of there. I had a funny five minutes and it got a bit much,” I say.

  He offers me his arm, and linking mine through his, he leads me toward the slope to the beach. “As long as you’re okay,” he says, softly.

  We stop at the bottom to take off our shoes. The sand is still warm under foot and as soft as icing sugar. Another couple stop beside us to put their shoes back on. Adam greets them. The woman, I recognise to be one of Celeste’s friends. I throw Adam a side smile and he returns the gesture. It won’t be long before Celeste is made aware of our moonlight stroll along the beach.

  The sea is on its way back in. Adam jogs ahead of me into the water, and allows it to wash over his ankles. The water is chilly compared to the humid air. I like it, and I stride in up to my thighs to cool down. I’m not entirely sure what is happening with him, but I won’t fight it.

  “It’s crazy hot,” I call to him. “Red heads aren’t made for this heat.”

  I head back to the shore and take his arm again. The music from the club carries over the beach and I find myself swinging my shoes along to the beat. “Why did you want to walk with me?” I ask.

  “I was coming out to check you were alright, and then decided I needed to talk to you,” he says, leading me toward the rocks under the railings. “Now, we know there is no chance of me remembering any of you, I want to know everything.”