“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I insisted anxiously.
He smiled warmly and gazed as if he knew something I didn’t. “You’re an animal doctor right?”
I was puzzled what it had to do with this. “Yes,” I hesitantly responded.
“Joe has a lot of livestock in his farm and we don’t have animal doctors except now. You’d be of great help to us if you could take a look at them. We depend on this farm you know, to help feed everyone in the cave, we’ll be grateful if you could care for the animals,” he explained cheerfully.
It was difficult to refuse him especially when I was the only one capable of doing such an important task. I nodded without saying a word.
We exited the cave at a different passage and it was smaller and could only fit one person at a time, emerging from the other side of the mountain. From there we walked straight into the forest shading us from the hot sun. We followed a very narrow trail. Devon walked in front of me, clearing the way of stray branches. He kept on glancing back at me, probably to see if I was having a hard time catching up.
While we were walking, he kept on talking about the trees and plants which ones were safe or poisonous, or what month the leaves of certain trees changes its colors or the wildlife hidden within the forest that only came out at night. He also mentioned the kind of weather they had here and was pretty much the same as Pinewood, either rainy or sunny. I silently listened to him and by the sound of his voice, he knew a lot about this place and was fascinated with its details.
After a while of walking, he slowed down and then finally we came out from the forest. Not far was a wide land with sections of patches with crops and some already had vegetables ready for harvest. Beyond was a small house and a barn with a wide fenced enclosure beside it covered in grass. A dog with black and white fur ran towards us and greeted Devon wagging its tail with excitement. Devon playfully stroked him then it walked beside him while we moved forward. The two women working on the patches looked up when they saw us coming.
“Hey Devon!” greeted the first young woman wearing a straw hat over her dark blonde frizzy hair tied behind her back. She was crouching on the dirt digging a small hole, and beside her was a basket full of seeds.
“Hi Alice!” he greeted back.
“Who’s with you?” the second woman asked who was on her knees on the other patch with sweat on her brows. She had dark brown hair, a long face and looked older than Alice, and was digging a hole more aggressively.
“Oh, let me introduce you to Ellie, I’m sure you’ve heard of her,” Devon said smiling.
It was refreshing to hear I wasn’t introduced as a Lady anymore, no curtsies, no formal remarks. A warm hi or hello was more than enough to be considered proper.
“An Elite, such an honor to have royalty around these parts,” she declared smiling and continued, “Hi I’m Lucy and she’s Alice,” she nodded her head towards the first woman who was smiling and waving her soiled hand at me, and I smiled warmly in return.
“Where’s Joe?” Devon asked looking around.
“Back at the barn,” Lucy answered not taking her eyes off what she was doing down on the dirt.
We proceeded towards the barn where a tall man around his forties or fifties, with short dark hair, a beard and strong built was stacking hays outside. When he noticed us, he dropped the hay and walked towards our direction.
“I see you brought a friend Devon,” he stated with a deep voice and a friendly smile.
“Joe, this is Ellie,” Devon introduced.
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
“Same here,” he responded warmly.
“Joe is Lucy’s mate,” Devon informed and added, “By the way, Ellie here is an animal doctor. She could take a look at your livestock.”
Joe’s face lit up, for a huge strong man the expression was awkward on him. “Really? Could you?” he asked facing me.
I grinned. “I’ll be happy to.”
The barn was large, housing a horse, pigs, goats, and a few cows. The hens and roosters were enclosed separately in a wide chicken coop just behind the barn. Devon was assisting me while I examined the animals one by one. He gently held them, trying to calm them down by softly saying soothing words gaining their trust, his voice made them yield on his arms soon after. He talked to them as if they were people, and teased and pretended the animals were talking back to him. It was funny to watch but I made sure to contain my amusement around him. He was good at dealing with animals, and the way they were at ease with him came naturally.
Most of the livestock were healthy and just needed supplements. Only a few had minor infections, and others had signs of parasites in them and could easily be eradicated with the right medication. By the looks of it, Joe was taking good care of the animals. After I was done with the examination, I informed Joe and Devon of my findings and requested the necessary medications.
“I’ll have the gatherers acquire these items,” Devon said.
We spent the rest of the afternoon helping with the farm chores. Taking the goats out to the enclosure to graze and giving the horse and the cows a bath. Devon scrubbed with soap while I hose them down with water. Bubbles formed on the cow we were bathing and it seems to be enjoying it under the warm weather. All the time we were doing the chores, Devon was always smiling. He chuckled when the horse shook himself after the bath and I couldn’t resist giggling from the sight of him soaking wet. It was clear, Devon was easy to be with, no wonder many liked him and it was hard not to notice his friendly air in him.
Looking around the crops, the animals, the small house, I never imagined myself to be here back in simpler living. I found life to be peculiar when not long ago I was among with the Elites and Alphas in their ravishing world of wealth and extravagance. Then here I was, suddenly thrust into a whole different world yet again. I was among royalties in their palaces but now, I walked among people who genuinely worry about the future instead of what clothes to wear. I belonged to them in many ways and I was so at eased and safe. I rather be here even with the cows, at least they weren’t staring at me like I was their prey.
After we were done with the chores, Devon and I returned to the cave before it got dark. He told me Allison would kill him if she found out we returned late. Walking through the hallway in silence, I had no idea where we were going but I assumed our time together was over.
I was following him when I said, “I guess my job is done for the day.”
He stopped and turned to me, grinning. “And you’ve done an excellent job.”
I didn’t respond to his remarks, instead, I said with no emotions, “Okay bye.”
He was startled then gave a hurt expression. “You’re leaving me already?”
“There’s nothing else left to do,” I said annoyingly and without waiting for his remark, I walked passed him and decided to go to the mess hall.
“Let me come with you.” I heard him call out from behind me.
I entered the mess hall and it was still a bit early, not as crowded as lunch time. I was glad to finally see Curtis sitting and talking with Nigel across from him. He waved smiling when he saw me enter. I was worried Devon would follow me but I didn’t dare glance behind to find out. When I took a seat at the bench beside Curtis, I was relieved Devon decided to sit on another table farther away. Curtis didn’t seem aware I was with him when I arrived.
Curtis smiled sweetly. “So what were you up to today?” he asked.
I told him everything what I did with Allison up to the farm but I left everything about Devon out of the conversation. Curtis was happy for me I get to do what I was passionate about. Then I asked him if he had any news from Pinewood.
“Pinewood is in a terrible state. Ever since Andrew knew we were the Defiers he was searching, he’s now locking down Pinewood and torturing everybody who defied him. News also came that the steel plants are operational again and he’s been gathering more people to work there against their will with threats of hurting their families
if they refuse,” he answered mournfully.
I was disheartened by the news. After what Curtis had done with the plants, we were back to where we started. “Isn’t there something we can do?”
Curtis shook his head. “Ryder won’t risk a full scale attack on Pinewood without losing Defiers, we are short of manpower as it is.” He placed a hand over mine and added, “The only solution is to end the Empire once and for all, destroy the source to stop the spread of the disease called oppression.”
I sighed. There was nothing we could do then but wait. I shuddered at the thought of Andrew hurting those poor people back in Pinewood. He was more capable of doing bodily harm than with his words. Then I wondered how Katherine was doing, I really hoped she was safe and that Andrew wouldn’t find out it was because of her we escaped.
The mess hall began to get crowded when we fell in line to get our food. Devon continued to keep his distance and he made me quite uneasy when I caught him constantly staring at my direction.
While we ate, we talked about Curtis’ plans. He mentioned that Ryder needed more firearms and a few air shuttles.
“If we had air shuttles, where will they hide them?” I asked.
“There’s an old empty hangar hidden deep in the forest. Olfren told me it was built at first to accommodate the machines and the builders working on the cave when there was nothing inside here but rocks,” Curtis answered.
He also said we needed more recruits if we were to even the odds against the Corps and I saw the hopelessness in Curtis’ expression. The Corps was a large and strong force of combat trained army, an ordinary civilian wouldn’t stand a chance to face them straight on.
“Don’t forget my training Curtis,” Nigel reminded.
“Training for what?” I asked.
“I’m teaching Nigel how to shoot a gun,” Curtis responded.
“Can I join?” I eagerly said.
He shook his head, taking his hand away. “No.”
I frowned. “Why not?”
“It’s too dangerous Ellie, there’s no way I’m letting you fight an army.”
“I thought we needed more people to fight.”
“Yes but not you. I’m sorry,” he insisted with finality.
I remained silent throughout dinner, upset that Curtis denied me something I was more than willing to do for the Defiers. It was time to take action and before I could confidently say that, I must prepare and train myself first to fight. I wanted to be useful, and not just in chores, but to something truly noble and brave. I knew Curtis was only saying that because he cared for me but I was tired of being treated like I was fragile which I never was.
In the living quarters, I was distant and cold when I said my good night to Curtis, he noticed and gave a look of concern, and then I tried to smile so he wouldn’t fuss over it. I entered the room I shared with Allison but she wasn’t in yet. The wooden floor, the stone walls with only a white bulb at the center of the room, I confessed this wasn’t the most comfortable place especially at night when it gets cold without any source of heat inside these caves. There were two beds with thin mattresses and each was only enough for one. I wasn’t complaining, I was grateful I was some place safe, and accepted not because of my station but for what I believed in. This was an opportunity to prove myself how far would I go to fight against the system I despised since the moment I was aware I was never in control of my own life because of it.
More than a week passed since my arrival. I was spending most of the time working with Devon at the farm. He got the medications I asked for and we gave it to the animals that required it. He was interested in what I was doing, and asked what the medication was for and how to administer it. I taught him what I knew and he listened and observed most patiently. I never saw him this serious before but his expression remained soft and his blue eyes full of determination.
“I always wanted to learn how to take care of animals,” he said while gently stroking a goat after we gave it oral supplements.
“Really?” I exclaimed.
He nodded. “But being an Omega gave me no opportunity.”
I was surprised we had something in common. I knew little about Devon personally except for my impressions of him. His dreams, his plans were all new, and it made an intriguing story while we worked on the patches. He excitedly fantasized about traveling, meeting all kinds of people and discovering new things he’d be passionate about. He wanted to do anything spectacular or daring like diving into an ocean or explore a place that no one had. I listened to him silently while digging the soil to remove a carrot from under it. I pitied him because his dreams sounded amazing but totally out of place to what we were doing now, something as ordinary as digging dirt.
As he spoke, the more I noticed how worlds apart he was from Curtis. Curtis was all about his duties and responsibilities while Devon was a dreamer. Two different men, and in my opinion, their nature had something to do with the stations they were born into but not entirely. Curtis was a Lord, it was expected he had his duty to his dukedom. Devon was an Omega with limited means, with hardly any choices presented to him, all he could do was dream about it. Of course this wasn’t accurate in general since an Elite could also be a dreamer and Omegas did have responsibilities and duties.
Curtis and I seldom saw each other ever since he became busy with the preparations with Nigel and Olfren. I was disappointed, not only because I didn’t see him as often as I wanted, but also he refused to involve me with their plans. When we did run into each other in the cave, we both were tired after a long day of work. It became difficult to be intimate with him with all the people constantly around us, we had no privacy at all, but despite that, he always tried to cheer me up.
By now, Curtis was on his way recruiting more Defiers and willing sympathizers with Olfren and Thomas, it was risky of him going out there when we were still hunted by the Emperor which was why he cut his dark hair short to be less recognizable. He told me they won’t be gone long when we said our farewell, still I was worried for him. He explained it was also necessary for him to leave to go to Blackard and ask Ambrose for help in supplying more firearms and shuttles. He made it sound like it was our only chance if ever we were to win.
Days have passed and I grew more anxious Curtis hasn’t return sooner than I thought he’d be. Although my unsettling feeling of Curtis’ long absence was constantly bothering me, Devon lately became a distraction. I grew sympathetic of him being born an Omega, the station with no opportunities and no room for ambitions but he looked happy, even when we were getting our hands dirty every day, he still seemed to be optimistic.
One day, out of nowhere, I had the courage to ask him if he hated his life being an Omega. He was stunned by my asking especially since until now I never gave any comments about his stories or about his life.
Eventually he smiled and replied, “I don’t think you’d hate something you’ve already accepted.”
He sounded defeated but there was no sadness in him.
“How did you join the Defiers though?” I asked curious.
He was digging deeper in the soil using a small trowel then pulled out a potato from under it and placed it in the basket beside us. “I left the bakery after you were gone from Coastal City then I took odd jobs in the city just trying to get by and find my place but nothing ever suited me. So I relocated to the city of Perruse where I stayed long until I met the right people who eventually introduced me to the Defiers. They gave me a chance when no one ever had…” He dug again in the dirt and added, “Yes I accepted my life as an Omega but it doesn’t mean I was contented with it. I knew there could be more, and a chance to fight for it was very appealing to me.” He grinned.
He was indeed a dreamer.
After that, I slowly became more comfortable around Devon, making myself more agreeable to him, it was the least I could do for his kindness. It wasn’t difficult though because his mood was always happy. I started to laugh more often when he acted silly or when he wasn’t even try
ing to be funny, like when a piglet almost the same length as my arms suddenly escaped its enclosure. We were chasing after it but couldn’t catch it because it was too fast and cunning. Devon was lying on the ground after he slid on the wet dirt when the piglet quickly changed direction squealing. He quickly stood up to continue the chase with mud all over his clothes and for the first time, I was laughing hard.
We finally caught the piglet after we cornered it, Devon held it up with his hands, and it was squealing hard, moving frantically wanting to be released. There was a brief concern in Devon’s face when he had difficulty making it stay still, afraid he might drop it then he chuckled soon after when the piglet was secured in his arms, still squealing louder. He ran and brought it back to the enclosure inside the barn where it had escaped from before it could wildly squirm again. I continued laughing just by the look on Devon’s face struggling with the noisy piglet and when everything was as it should be, he laughed with me.
There were also times he asked questions about my life after Coastal City. So I told him what it was like being an Elite, the Lords and Ladies I met, and the places I’ve been to but there were some details I left out. I knew I could tell him almost everything and at the same time I was careful not to. I had to keep some distance and not letting my guard down around him. There were moments I only wanted to share with Curtis and no one else. I also didn’t want to mislead Devon, we now knew more about each other and I was only doing this as a friend, nothing beyond that.
I was a raking an empty patch when I quickly dropped the rake and gave a small cry of pain. Devon quickly stood up and came towards where I was when he heard.
“Are you alright?” he asked sounding worried.
I looked at my hand and there was a fresh red blister on my palm.
Devon gently held my hand, examined it and said, “We need to treat this.”
I was surprised when we were walking and he was still holding my hand leading me to the house. His hand felt rough but had a gentle touch. I didn’t know what to do if I should allow this, however, it would only become a big deal if I took my hand away so I let him hold me, and I kept telling myself it didn’t matter and meant nothing. He brought me near a faucet beside the barn and placed my hand with the blister under it.
The Prevalence: Sequel and Final Book of The Premortals (The Premortals Series 2) Page 17