Hunted

by Abi Ketner

  “Looks like I’ve got my ticket out of here,” she says.

  The siren blares. Amber won’t stop staring at us with her gaunt eyes, a mischievous smile playing at her lips. If I wasn’t in such a rush to get out of here, I’d smack it off her face.

  Cole stands in place, not showing any emotion, and I wonder what he’s thinking.

  She’s got us, and she knows it.

  “It won’t be long now; they’re on their way,” she says.

  “Amber. You’re insane if you believe Wilson, of all people, would actually let you leave here,” Cole says.

  She steps closer, smirking at him. She’s so skinny, I could snap her in half. She’s definitely not the girl I remember. And yet, she’s bloated, her arms swollen, and she scratches at her skin.

  I scrunch up my face, struggling between feeling pity and swallowing down the bitter taste in my mouth that comes with seeing her. She’s never been a friend of mine, not since I was assigned to the hospital and forced to work with her.

  I guess not much has changed.

  “Still looking for the easy way out, aren’t you?” I ask.

  “Whatever it takes,” she says with a sneer.

  “Won’t work. Not this time,” Cole says.

  As his brows pull down and his tone lowers, I notice other people around us seem to disappear, scrambling for their hiding places. In the background, the sirens scream their warning.

  Zeus woofs at my side, and I put my hand on his collar. If he pounces on Amber, she might scream and bring attention to us.

  “Now, we run,” I say to Cole.

  But Amber steps in front of him, blocking our way. I narrow my eyes at her and clench Zeus’s collar as he stands on his back legs. My grip’s slipping. Amber’s eyes are glazed over though, so she doesn’t even flinch at his imposing posture.

  “Oh, no … you’re not going anywhere,” she says. Her face is flushed, but she’s not sweating.

  “Right,” Cole says. Just then, he swings the butt of his gun up and grunts with the impact.

  His gun connects with her jaw, and she crumples to the ground. My mouth opens wide, but Cole’s already on the ground, scooping Amber over his shoulder. He stands, and her arms flop around behind him.

  “Let’s move,” he says.

  I don’t have time to ask him why he’s taking her with us. Heaven knows we can’t carry everyone that recognizes us. I pull Zeus along and sprint through the streets and alleyways. Every time I check over my shoulder, Cole is right behind me with Amber, like a limp rag doll.

  “Left,” he says.

  I check around us and turn left. “Clear!”

  “The alley, four blocks up, on the right,” he says.

  By now, I hear him huffing slightly in between words. She can’t weigh much, but then again, he’s running with her over his shoulder, plus carrying all his equipment.

  Zeus tags along beside me, his tongue hanging out, like it’s the best thing in the world. Whenever Sinners see him, they back away, leaning back into the shadows. I can’t really blame them.

  The static from the loudspeakers fills the air again, the output making me cringe. We stop for a moment. I catch my breath as Cole hunkers down next to me, propping Amber’s body against a wall. The siren stops abruptly. I hear Wilson’s loud breathing, and it makes me shudder with disgust.

  “Beginning today, Sinners will not receive rations,” Wilson says.

  Feeling the effects of shock, I turn toward Cole. His lips are curled, and his eyes hold a hardened, flinty expression. I can’t stop myself from thinking about those poor people fighting over the small portions of water and food they had. It’s only going to get worse.

  “But of course there’s one exception. If you capture any of the revolt members, you’ll receive food for one month. If you deliver Lexi Hamilton, alive, you’ll be given your freedom. Happy hunting, citizens.” The speaker cuts off, but not before I hear his cruel laughter on the other end.

  “He’s going to starve them?” I ask.

  “Yes. Wilson plays mind games. He knows you care about people. He’s trying to find a way to break you.”

  I cannot wait for the day when I can push my knife right through his throat.

  With those few words, Wilson just upped the ante. Zeus lets out a low whine, sensing my apprehension. He nudges my leg, and I pat his head.

  “Stay strong. And run,” Cole says as he hefts Amber over his shoulder once more. I don’t know how he has the strength.

  Now, my head’s really on a swivel. I probe every darkened corner and every shadow. I take note of every possible exit for future reference. My muscles feel tense as I pass the next block. I hesitate, second-guessing each move, before crossing all entrances. My senses are on overload.

  I hit the fourth block and turn right into the alley. I slow my pace and feel the burn in my lungs and the stickiness of my hair on my neck. My sweat beads on my shins and slides down my legs.

  “Here,” Cole says.

  I stop, and Zeus sniffs around as Cole lowers Amber’s body to the ground. He barges through a doorway and drags her inside. And we’re back where we started.

  “And you brought her, because?” I ask, stumbling around until he flips on his flashlight.

  “She was in the lab today. Maybe she knows something.” He picks up her body with a grunt and motions me forward. “When she wakes up, Roméo can interrogate her.”

  “Good thinking, but after that blow, we’ll be lucky if she knows her name.” I’d laugh, but my body’s too uptight. The knots in my neck would take a rolling pin to push out.

  He gives me the flashlight, and I shine it down the tunnel and back into the underground. With each step, my feet sting and my eyes burn. I don’t feel safe until I see Grace’s wide eyes and outstretched arms. She grabs me tight and hugs me like it’s the last time she’ll see me.

  “Oh thank God, I thought something happened to you,” she says. “When you didn’t come back last night, we thought the worst.” Her eyes drift to Cole with Amber draped over him. “Who is that?”

  “A witch,” I say.

  “I second that,” Cole says. He places her body on the floor. Her head flops awkwardly to the left and rests on her shoulder. He touches her forehead with the outside of his hand. “Her name’s Amber. She worked with Lexi at the hospital.” He looks at me. “Her head feels warm.”

  “Well, yeah, you did knock her out,” I say.

  “Why’d you do that?” Grace asks.

  “Oh, just you wait. You’ll want to knock her out yourself.”

  “Lexi, I’m being serious here,” Cole says.

  I walk over to Amber and touch her arm. It is warm. When I do the same thing as Cole, the heat from her skin radiates into mine. “She has a fever.”

  “Great to have you back, bro,” Bruno says while running toward Cole and pulling him into a man hug. “I was about to call in the cavalry.” He slaps Cole on the back and smiles.

  “Welcome back. Did you manage to get any information?” Roméo asks. He appears from behind Bruno, his smaller stature hidden by Bruno’s towering figure. His voice is quiet, but very serious.

  “Actually, yes. Turns out Bill was right,” I say.

  “Ah-ha, yes, I knew it!” Bill says. “I’m awesome. Go on and say it. ‘Bill, you’re the most brilliant man alive.’ Do it; go on.”

  “Bill, your wisdom has left me breathless,” I say while rolling my eyes at him. “Anyway, they were escorting Sinners to the lab. After a few hours, they came out and were ordered to return home.”

  “When they left, did you notice anything different about them?”

  “Not really, if anything … maybe a little confused?” I say.

  “Amber”—Cole points to her lifeless body—“was part of the group. Thought maybe you’d want to question her,” Cole says to Roméo with a nod in his direction.

  “That, and she was trying to turn us in,” I say with a frown. I watch as Roméo strokes the cleft in his chin and
lowers his eyes for a moment.

  “By the looks of it, she didn’t come willingly,” he says. I glance at Cole, and he shifts on his feet. “Unpleasant people are always a pleasure to work with,” Roméo says. He grabs at his collar, pulling it away from his neck. “Lexi, is it too much to ask for you and Grace to stay with her? When she wakes up, let me know.”

  “Sure,” I say. “Oh, wait.” Their eyes turn back to me. “We saw Sutton.” Everyone stops and stares at me.

  “How?” Roméo asks, breaking the silence. “Was he all right?”

  When I try to answer, nothing comes out.

  “Definitely not,” Cole says. “Wilson beat him publically, trying to lure Lexi in.”

  “Guess that means you didn’t get to chat,” Bruno says.

  “He did … mouth to me … to get the records,” I say.

  “Are you sure that’s what he mouthed, Lusty? Because reading lips isn’t a skill we all have.”

  “Yes, I’m sure of it.”

  “Poor Sutton. Where was he?” Grace asks.

  “The execution stage,” Cole says. And I don’t miss the look that passes between him and Bruno. Bruno’s body tightens, his shoulders arching upward.

  “Also … ” Cole says.

  “More good news?” Bruno asks, but he’s not smiling. His fists clench at his sides.

  “Wilson took away the daily rations.”

  “Here comes the zombie war,” Bruno says.

  “But on the bright side of things, we have food down here, so we aren’t gonna starve.” Bill seems pleased with himself as if he personally collected all the food.

  “This mission just got a whole lot harder,” Bruno says. “They all know what Lexi looks like. How are we going to hide her? It was bad enough that people outside the Hole were fed wanted posters and notices every hour. Now, people inside the Hole will be hunting her too.”

  “You’re not hiding me anywhere. There’s no way I’m staying down here while you guys are up there. Plus, it’s not just me; they know all of us, except Roméo. And I doubt they know Bill’s with us.”

  “Have you got anything good to tell us?” Bruno asks. “You’re like the harbingers of death.”

  “Sorry, man, not a damn thing,” Cole says.

  “I’m going to grab some things; mind if I take Zeus with me?” Bill cuts in. I twist my head in his direction, confused.

  “For what?” I ask.

  “Company.”

  “If he’ll go with you, sure,” Cole says. “Just make sure he gets water and something to eat, please.”

  Zeus follows Bill down the dark hallway, and I turn around toward the others. Roméo leaves the room. Cole hands me a protein bar and water, but he says nothing. Whatever hovers between us isn’t going away.

  “Why don’t you boys go get some sleep? Lexi and I can handle this,” Grace says.

  “No, you two rest first,” Cole says.

  “I can’t … too much on my mind,” I say. “Really, please go sleep.” Selfishly, I’m looking forward to some time alone with Grace.

  “Okay. But only for a few hours.”

  “All right.”

  “Promise you’ll come and get me if you need anything,” he says to me.

  “Of course.”

  Grace and Bruno hug and say they love each other, while Cole and I stand in awkward silence.

  After they leave, Grace puts down two tan towels right next to each other, a good three feet away from Amber. She sits down and pats the other one for me to join her. I plop down, untie my boots, and place them behind me. The smell of soggy socks and wrinkled feet fills the air. I snort, but Grace says nothing about the aroma. For a few minutes, we sit in silence as I rub my throbbing feet and stretch my cramping muscles. Grace leaves for a few minutes before coming back with more water. She snacks on some nuts. It’s deathly quiet except for her munching.

  “This room’s so uplifting, don’t you think?” Grace asks, her attempt at humor.

  “More like depressing.” We both laugh.

  The only light is from the propane lamp Bill somehow managed to find. It lets off an eerie glow, making Amber’s hair almost bronze. My mind runs away with me. I wonder how much time we have left down here. How much time we have left at all. And then I think of Sutton. We are all on borrowed time.

  “Maybe you should paint it.”

  “For her, not a chance. Besides, she is not staying.”

  “She’s that bad, huh?”

  “You have no idea.”

  “Well neither of us knows her story and what she’s been through. Maybe we should give her the benefit of the doubt. Under her layer of hardness, she might be weak and hurt. I’ve come to realize cruel people are the ones who tend to hate themselves the most and treat others like dirt in order to make themselves feel better.”

  “Maybe you’re right, but it’s something I can’t relate to.”

  “No, you, my girl, are an exception. I admire you,” Grace says.

  “Why?”

  Amber begins to stir, and her head drops to the side as drool drips down her chin.

  “Ew, I hope I don’t do that in my sleep,” Grace says.

  “Zeus does.”

  I smile at her, and she puts her arm around me.

  “With everything you’ve been through, you still carry a heart of gold. It would be so much easier for you to be miserable and mean. But not you; you’ve taken the hardest route possible.”

  “Which is?”

  “Forgiveness. It’s one of the hardest things for us to do. To actually be able to completely forgive and move on, not many are capable of doing that.”

  “I’m not so sure I’ve done that.”

  “Oh, but you have, dear,” she says. “Bruno told me about Keegan leaving you, and how much he hurt you, but you forgave him. Someone taught you how to forgive, no?”

  “My father.” I lean my head over and rest it on Grace’s shoulder. She rests her cheek on me. “He always said, the stronger forgive those who hurt them. When you hold the anger in … all it does is tear you down and cause you to be vulnerable. And believe me, I still struggle with it every single day. Between my stepfather, my mother, and Keegan … I haven’t fully wrapped my head around my mom and stepdad yet, so don’t give me too much credit. Abandonment and torture aren’t things you forget. But I find when I’m focusing on them, it takes me away from what I have today. Cole, and you guys. You’re my family now.” But I can’t hide the way my voice quakes when I say Cole’s name.

  Grace pauses and then says, “Are you two all right?”

  I shift uncomfortably. I’m not really sure. “We’re okay, just working through some things.”

  “You don’t sound convinced,” she says. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty good at reading people, and I can sense the tension between you.”

  “That obvious, huh?” I sigh. “I know he loves me, but he’s keeping something from me, and I wish he would just spit it out.”

  “Patience, dear. When he’s ready, he’ll tell you. Try to understand we’re not guards and we’ll never be able to comprehend what they’ve been through. Plus, every relationship has its highs and lows. Bruno and I definitely have had our lows.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh yeah.” She laughs. “For a while, I thought I’d never meet a girl he hadn’t dated. But that was my own insecurity I had to deal with. He’s never given me any reason to doubt him. Not once. But we’ve definitely been through a lot in our two years together, and I have no doubt you and Cole will make it through this too.”

  Amber starts twitching, first her eyebrows, and her mouth, followed by her hands, and now almost her entire body. She flaps around like a fish on dry land. She moans but doesn’t open her eyes.

  I gasp.

  “Help me, Grace; she’s having a seizure. We have to protect her head and try to hold her down.”

  Grace does exactly what I ask her to do, and I kneel down, resting my butt on my heels so I can place Amber’s h
ead on my legs and hold it still. As soon as my hands touch her face, I yank them away.

  “She’s burning up,” I say.

  “What should we do?” Grace asks with panic in her voice.

  “To the showers. If we don’t get her temperature down, she’ll keep seizing … and possibly die.” And like a soldier carrying a wounded man, I get behind Amber, giving her a bear hug and locking my hands across her chest, as Grace grabs her legs.

  We lift her up.

  Amber’s thrashing, and sweat drips down my neck. Her body’s like a sauna. Her head rolls to the left and then to the right, then front and back. I tighten my hold on her because she’s getting harder to control.

  “I’ll open the door with my back,” I say. Luckily, it’s not a door with a knob, or I’d have to drop her.

  Grace nods, eyes wide.

  Slamming my back into the door, it swings open, and my adrenaline races.

  “Okay, open a stall, start the water, and let me know when it’s lukewarm.”

  “Why not cold?”

  “Cold water only cools the skin, and shivering would just cause her core body temperature to spike.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Luckily, I paid attention to the nurses when I worked in the hospital.”

  I kneel down as Grace lets go of Amber’s legs. She goes into the closest stall and turns the knob. Brown water spits through, but eventually it starts dripping nearly clear water.

  “While it’s warming up, can you grab some towels? They’re in the corner cabinet by the sinks.”

  “Got it,” Grace says.

  Amber’s still seizing, so we have to work fast to remove her clothes and get a steady stream of water to lower her temperature.

  Grace comes back with an armful of towels.

  “Oh, that’s perfect.”

  “All right, just tell me what to do.”

  “Okay, fold one, and when I lift her head, put the towel underneath.” Grace follows my instructions.

  Lowering Amber’s head to the ground, I kneel down, sitting on my heels, and hold her head in between my thighs.

  “Good, now sit on her hips, face me, and hold her arms down.”