After the Fear (Young Adult Dystopian)
Page 27
I manage to laugh. ‘Did he like you?’
‘Aye, of course. But he won’t for much longer if he sees us like this.’
With that, we both know our time is over. Outside this room, my life is waiting for me.
‘Okay,’ I say.
‘All right,’ Dylan whispers, almost to himself. ‘Hopefully I’ll see you soon. Until then, don’t forget about me.’
‘You’re not allowed to tell me what to do,’ I joke, although I hold onto him. We kiss as our fingers dance together. I savour the moment, which is gone all too soon. He breaks away, and in four controlled footsteps, he’s at the door.
For some reason, I imagine that silk thread following him out, connecting us forever. Dylan steps through the door. It slides shut.
A moment to myself is all I need.
I let my mind dwell on Coral. In this stark, white room, without a Debt hanging over me, she seems so simple. All the nasty words that ever came out of her mouth, were they even true? I never questioned it before, but what proof do I have that Mum had an affair with Mr Winters? Perhaps Coral invented the whole thing; perhaps she believed it herself.
I guess I’ll never know if she really did celebrate Mum’s death, or if it was a lie to make me hate her. Unfortunately, not knowing means I’ll still have regret for what I did to Coral. Yet it’s no more regret than I have for all the other people I’ve killed. They will stay with me forever, just like my scars.
I’ve been alone for long enough. Through the shuttered windows I see a silhouette standing in the hallway outside my room. Dad.
Mum’s four-leaf clover hair pin gleams on the bedside table. I hesitate, but pick it up and slide it into my hair.
My legs wobble, and I steady myself for a moment. I run through the list of things I know for sure:
- My name is Sola Herrington.
-I’m in love with Dylan Casey.
-I’ve killed ninety-three people.
-I know the Shepherds’ best kept secret.
-I’m not afraid anymore.
For now, I want to tell Dad I’m proud of him. I’ll enjoy every second of living until the inevitable happens and the Shepherds’ rules re-enter my world. I’ll fight, then, if I have to.
Because that’s part of who I am.
I’m a Demonstrator.
#
Rosanne writes for children and young adults and hopes to bring readers to an unfamiliar yet alluring setting. Rosanne was inspired to write when she read the Harry Potter books, and at age fourteen, she wrote romance fanfiction on just about every pairing you could dream up from the HP series. She currently lives with her partner and two bunny rabbits and is working on a new adult fantasy novel.
My first ever reader, Faye.
Darren, for your constant love and support.
My family: Nana, Mum, Dad, Joe, Pete, Alice, Tom, Faye, Claire (and everyone else!) for your help and for listening to me ramble about the book for hours on end.
Ted and Raj, for being the best writing friends a girl could have.
All of my tutors on the MA in Writing at Warwick.
Everyone at Immortal Ink Publishing, for making the book ten times better with your advice, amazing editing talents and beautiful book cover. Thank you for having faith in the book. You’ve made my dreams come true!
Table of Contents
Chapter ONE
Chapter TWO
Chapter THREE
Chapter FOUR
Chapter FIVE
Chapter SIX
Chapter SEVEN
Chapter EIGHT
Chapter NINE
Chapter TEN
Chapter ELEVEN
Chapter TWELVE
Chapter THIRTEEN
Chapter FOURTEEN
Chapter FIFTEEN
Chapter SIXTEEN
Chapter SEVENTEEN
Chapter EIGHTEEN
Chapter NINETEEN
Chapter TWENTY
Chapter TWENTY-ONE
Chapter TWENTY-TWO
Chapter TWENTY-THREE
Chapter TWENTY-FOUR
Chapter TWENTY-FIVE
Chapter TWENTY-SIX
Chapter TWENTY-SEVEN
Chapter TWENTY-EIGHT
Chapter TWENTY-NINE
Chapter THIRTY
Chapter THIRTY-ONE
Chapter THIRTY-TWO
Chapter THIRTY-THREE
Chapter THIRTY-FOUR
Chapter THIRTY-FIVE
Chapter THIRTY-SIX
Chapter THIRTY-SEVEN
Chapter THIRTY-EIGHT
Chapter THIRTY-NINE
Chapter FORTY
Chapter FORTY-ONE
Chapter FORTY-TWO
Chapter FORTY-THREE
Chapter FORTY-FOUR
Chapter FORTY-FIVE
Chapter FORTY-SIX
Chapter FORTY-SEVEN
Chapter FORTY-EIGHT
Chapter FORTY-NINE
Chapter FIFTY
Chapter FIFTY-ONE
Chapter FIFTY-TWO