Innocents

by Lena August

  Chapter 3

  When I wake up the next morning, the smoke is even heavier than yesterday, leaving a foul taste in my mouth every time I inhale. I roll out of bed, still half asleep. If Sera wasn’t here I would have slept later, but I don’t want to keep her waiting so I make my way to the cafeteria still in my pajamas.

  “Hey Brie, you’re finally awake,” one of my other friends, Livi, calls as I enter the commons areas. Since Livi is only sixteen, we never have any classes together so I only get to see her on weekends. But even so, we have grown close since Sera left.

  “It’s not even 10 o’clock,” I protest. Livi just shrugs her shoulders.

  “Well, I’ve been up since five,” She wrinkles her nose, “I don’t see how you can sleep with all this smoke in the air.”

  I laugh, “Yeah, I see Thieves is having a little problem with fires lately.”

  Her smile fades a bit, and I understand, I have long since gotten used to the idea of the PSC causing “accidents” to lower the population when an island gets overcrowded, but Livi is sensitive about that kind of thing. She also hasn’t had as much time to get used to the barbaric ways of the Islands. Livi came here only two years ago, making her older than most of the other residents were upon their arrival to Innocents.

  This, along with her sensitive, rule abiding nature and clumsiness make her a target for insults. I protect her whenever I can. Luckily, Sera chooses this instant to enter the commons, covering the awkward moment. She catches sight of us and crosses the room to sit at our table. Sera beams when she sees Livi and springs on her, nearly bringing her to the ground. But Sera steadies her at the last moment, “Oh my God, Liv. I’ve really, really missed you!”

  “Sera! I didn’t even know you were here!” Livi gushes and Sera gives me an exaggerated glare, obviously wondering why I hadn’t told her.

  “Hey,” I protest, “This is the first time I’ve seen Livi since you arrived. I didn’t get around to mentioning it.”

  Sera waves me off. “Excuses,” she mutters and I have to laugh.

  “How long are you here for?” Livi demands

  “Just until tomorrow,” replies Sera, “I came to wish Brie good luck for her Occupational Test.”

  Livi looks down at her food unhappily and I know what’s wrong. Once I leave, Livi will be left alone. She doesn’t have many other friends. Sera notices this too and immediately breaks the silence, “Well, I thought that since this is one of Brie’s last full days here we could spend it at the coast.”

  This sounds good to me, but Livi looks nervous.

  “The guards will kill us if we’re caught down there, it’s off limits.”

  “Aw, relax, Liv,” Sera says pulling Livi toward the door by the arm, “It’s not like were criminals. And anyway, no one enforces that rule. People are always at the beach. Hey, were not going to defect to Mainlands or anything. It’s just a swim.”

  Livi doesn’t look completely reassured, but she allows Sera to drag her out the door. She trips as she walks past a group of girls sitting at a table and one of them snickers at her. I glare in their direction before hurrying to catch up with Sera and Livi.

  “See, it’s a perfect day for a swim,” Sera says gleefully as we step outside.

  I have to admit that she’s right. Apart from the thick, black smoke coming from Thieves, it is a gorgeous late summer day, just right for spending in the water.

  It’s a ten minute walk from our living space to the coast, and Sera keeps us entertained with stories about her work. I listen at first, but then allow my attention to wander. If all goes well, in a few days’ time I will be settled in my new house near Murderers. The prospect fills me with nervous anticipation. I can’t wait to start my job.

  Sera was right, I am the best trainee for it. Saffi has even admitted to me that I may be one of the best students she has ever trained. She also warned me that if I get on the wrong side of the fence, I won’t be much of a match for the inhabitants of Murderers. But I don’t intend on going over the fence. Guards stay on one side, Murderers on the other. That is the way it works. You start to have problems when the Murderers attempt to get on our side. That’s what caused Saffi to lose her arm.

  I am aroused from my daydreams by a cruel, scornful voice.

  “Hey, no way. The newbie is actually breaking a rule?”

  We have arrived at the coast, where a tall red-headed boy that I don’t recognize and a group of his friends are already gathered. I grind my teeth, trying to keep my temper under control. Even though Livi has already been here for two years, the crueler Innocents still insist on calling her “newbie” on account of her difficulty adjusting to Innocents life. The red head walks up to Livi, getting in her face.

  “You know, Newbie, it’s against the rules to come down here. I’m surprised you even had the nerve to do it. All the times I’ve seen you, you’ve been stumbling around making sure you obey every rule possible. It’s a bit pathetic really. But you’d better run away quick. You wouldn’t want me reporting you.”

  My temper gets the better of me and I shove the boy away from Livi, “It’s just as illegal for you to be here, and I really doubt the guards would punish us and not you.” I snap angrily.

  “Careful, Brie,” Sera warns quietly. But I ignore her and glare at the boy.

  The red head’s eyes harden as he turns toward me, as if he’s not used to being threatened, but his tone remains mocking.

  “Ah, but you see, we’re an exception. I doubt the guards would dare to do anything to us.” His friends laugh as though they are sharing some kind of inside joke. “But, now that you’re here, you might as well join us,” he says scornfully. He slings his arm around Livi’s shoulder and says in a carrying whisper “I’m sure I could find something to do with you.”

  I pull Livi out of the boy’s grasp pushing him away hard enough to make him stumble back a few steps. He curses and then grabs my arm forcing me to face him.

  “You better be careful watch yourself, bitch. I’ll warn you that you don’t want to pick a fight with me.”

  I force myself not to break eye contact. “Screw you,” I say and I shake my arm from his grasp and push him out of the way. His eyes flash with rage, and I feel a strong sense of satisfaction. But as I turn around to head back, he lunges at me, grabbing me by the hair and pulling me back. Caught off guard, I fall heavily to the ground. Livi screams as the red head kicks me hard in the side.

  Pain explodes down my body and it feels as if my ribs are on fire. Before I can recover, he kicks me again. This time, I am able to roll away to avoid the worst of it, but the blow still knocks the wind out of me. I see him winding up for a third kick. I brace myself, and just before his foot connects with my side, I grab his leg and yank it as hard as I can. He doesn’t fall, but it upsets his balance just enough to allow me to scramble to my feet. Pain shoots through my side, but I ignore it the best I can.

  While he is still recovering, I punch him hard in the stomach. He responds with a blow that hits me in my weakened side. It whirls me around and I cringe with pain. I hear him coming up behind me for another attack. I don’t have time to turn around so I drive my elbow up as hard as I can. Something cracks as my elbow connects with its target and I feel warm blood squirt onto my arm. The boy falls, cursing, and clutching his nose, his face is covered with blood.

  He rolls out of my range and staggers to his feet. I lunge for him, but before I can reach him, I am pulled back by a pair of strong arms. I allow myself to be dragged back and a man rushes toward my attacker and forces his hands away from his nose. It is still gushing blood.

  “What the hell did you do to him?” He screams at me, “How dare you attack my son, on my island!”

  My insides go cold. His island? Then I recognize the man, he is the president of the PSC, and I have just broken his son’s nose.