by Marks, C. C.
Just as I’d begun to tune them out enough to sleep again, I heard the door at the end of the hallway open and slam against the wall. The Draghoul around me went crazy, and I distinguished a few sets of booted feet stomping down the corridor.
I stood at the window, hoping it was Thomas or Peter or both, here to get me out, but Jonas’s face appeared instead. Beside him was a sneering guard I recognized as Nick Stone. He had a tight fist gripped around the upper arm of Peter. My first thought was that I’d been right to suspect him. He’d probably brought them all here to begin my torture.
Then Jonas lifted his hand and my gaze shifted to a shiny metal key framed by the window. “Did you really think I’d let this idiot get his hands on the key?”
I watched, dumbfounded, as he slammed the key against the glass, clearly expecting an answer. “Why are you asking me?”
“Because you sent him. Made him believe lies about his mother and me, so he’d help you.” His boot struck out at the lantern, and it rocked on its side before settling a foot down the hall, still upright.
“Did you think I’d sit here meekly and wait for you to hurt me? To save myself I would have in a heartbeat, but I didn’t have to lie. I just told him where he could find the truth.”
Jonas turned toward a cowering Peter. Obviously he hadn’t totally shaken the shadow of this man from over him. “You see! She’d say anything to save her neck. You’re just the fool she was waiting for.”
Peter’s confused gaze swung to me, and I stared straight back at him. “I didn’t lie. Besides, you said you’d known all along somehow. Didn’t you?”
He dropped his eyes to the floor, and the creatures around us chose that moment to pick up their ear-splitting cries. Behind the guard, I saw the face of my mother as she fought to get to the living people in front of her. She didn’t deserve an end like this. None of us did, not even the monsters standing outside my door.
“Why do this to me? What’s the point of bringing children into this messed up world anyway? We’re all infected. We’ll all be terrors eventually. No one should be given that for a future.”
“You’re a fool. I don’t care about children. I care about a cure. We need more immune specimens like your sister. Once Quillen perfects a cure, I’ll be the first to use it, and then maybe I’ll share it with the others—for a price.”
My brain turned over his words until everything became clear. This man was more devious than I’d even dared give him credit for. He was downright malicious, going above and beyond the boundaries of evil. “So, I’ll be kept here until I’m close to giving birth. Then you’ll infect me, hopefully creating another immune child, like Star.”
He clapped his hands in a slow clap. “Give the girl a prize. You’re just a means to an end.”
“You’re the monster.”
“Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet. Tomorrow, the community will host a lottery. Funny, I have a notion my name will be the most likely one pulled.”
Nick and Peter followed as Jonas turned to go down the hall, but he turned back briefly to collect the lantern, taking the light with him as he went.
“I’ll never be willing.”
“I don’t care. Get some rest. Tomorrow’s a big day for us all.”
The door closed with a crash behind them, once again bathing me in darkness. If ever there were a time to cry, it would be now. Yet, for the time being, no tears came. Instead, an intense anger burned within me, stirring up thoughts of how many ways I would hurt Jonas the minute he came near me. Images of crushing his windpipe, bloodying his nose, and of course, bringing him to his knees with a swift kick between his legs all came to mind. Not for the first time, I was thankful for Thomas’s brief lessons. I’d put them to good use soon.
I paced in the darkness, tripping over the mattress on the floor a few times. A step into the tray of food on the floor reminded me I hadn’t eaten. I lifted it and took it to the sink. Unfortunately, I’d ruined anything edible with my restlessness, but I pulled the saved chunks of bread out and finished off the few I had left. It wasn’t much, but I was grateful to have it, even if it had come from a spineless, sniveling idiot, who’d ruined my best chance of escape by getting caught trying to steal a key.
I knew the moment the night slid into day because silence fell up and down the hall. The creatures had gone into their sleep state, and I was wide awake with a growing rage.
I practiced punching and kicking the air then moved to the mattress by the wall. By the time I finished, I was sweating and realized I’d probably expended way too much needed energy.
With my hands up, I felt my way to the bunks and sat on the suspended springs of the lower bed. I steadied my breathing and waited for whatever was next.
What came next though was totally unexpected. With a loud buzz and a whoosh, I thought I heard my cell door slide open. But that made no sense, so I continued to sit, not daring to trust what I thought I’d heard.
Then the door at the end of the corridor opened, only the sound came to me clearer than it had before, like a barrier had been taken away.
Light streamed down the hallway, and I saw for myself that my door was indeed open. Not wasting another moment, I ran for the mattress on the wall and stood with my feet braced apart, ready to do some damage. Whoever it was, was in for a world of hurt.
The footsteps of my would-be victim came closer and as he stopped in front of my open cell, I shoved into him with all my might, and heard a grunt of pain as whoever it was landed against the opposite wall. Seizing the moment, I abandoned my weapon and ran down the hall toward the gaping doorway and my freedom.
I didn’t look back as the person behind me groaned and slid to the floor. I’d done what I’d meant to do, and now I had to escape.
“Charlie, wait!”
I stopped and swiveled around. Thomas lay awkwardly against the wall and floor, a mattress cocked over his legs. I stared for a few extra seconds before springing into action to run back to him and toss the mattress aside.
“Oh, Thomas, I didn’t know it was you. I thought it was a guard or Jonas or someone here to hurt me.”
He eased up to a sitting position and rubbed a knot on the back of his head. “Well, if it had been one of them, that wasn’t a bad idea to get past them.” He pulled himself up the wall to stand. The look in his eyes filled me with a little pride, but I quickly squashed it when he swayed a little on his feet.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I think I hit my head, but I’m good now.”
“How’d you get the doors open without a key?”
He rubbed his hand over his head again and looked up and down the hallway. “I wasn’t sure it would work, but I found an override button. It opens all the doors in this wing. Worked pretty well.” With the hand he used to nurse the injury I inflicted on him, he reached for my hand instead. The warmth of his skin sent a tingle up my arm and to my mid-section. I was so happy to see him. “Come on, we got to get you out of here.”
He picked up the dropped lantern, and I noticed Star wasn’t on his back, thank goodness. If I’d hurt her with my ignorance, I’d never forgive myself.
“Where’s Star?”
“I’ll take you to her right now. Come on.” With a tug, he pulled me toward the exit, and I followed at a trot. As we went, he pushed the doors of the cells that held the Draghoul closed.
Before we slipped out the doorway though, I stopped him and turned back. “I can’t leave her like this.” I didn’t have to explain who I meant.
“She’s not your mother anymore.”
“I know, but she wouldn’t want to be…this.”
He sighed heavily and pulled me into a hug. “For now, leave her here. Don’t give up on a cure. Maybe someday we can make her better.”
I didn’t think he was being realistic or even smart about the danger these creatures posed, but I nodded in his arms and let him pull me free of this horrible prison. Maybe there was hope for a cure. “Are we going to Quillen?”
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He led me through darkened hallways like he knew where he was going. I, on the other hand, grew more and more lost with each twist and turn he took. “No, why?”
“He said he could make a cure with Star’s blood. I thought maybe we should give it a try.”
Without breaking his stride, he explained over his shoulder, “Quillen can’t really cure anyone here. He doesn’t have the resources. He told me as much. Our only hope is to get you and Star to Mercy.”
“Why is that our only hope?”
“Quillen told me he’d planned to send Star’s blood to a group of scientists there. They have the means to possibly create a cure in the labs there, but I don’t think he was able to get any to Zeke. Now, you’ll have to get her to them yourself. It’s the only way the world will ever see a cure.”
After a few more twists and turns, we stopped in front of a closed door, and Thomas twisted the knob, flung the door wide, revealing a familiar person waiting inside.
“Zeke? I thought you were gone?”
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and I got the feeling he was actually happy to see me. “I couldn’t leave without my partner-in-crime.” He turned and showed my sister strapped to his back, her legs working up and down the minute she saw me. “Oh, and you too, of course.”
I laughed and rushed to hug him and Star, loving the feel of her chubby fists grabbing my hood and pulling me toward her for slobbery kisses. It was the best feeling in the world.
Thomas cleared his throat and said, “Daylight’s wasting. You better leave.”
I turned and met his pained gaze. “You’re coming too. We can’t go without you, Thomas.”
He shook his head. “No, I have to stay here. I can’t leave now when the place is turning upside down. Besides, Jonas will try to send guards after you. I have to be here to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
I looked at the wall and worked to catch my breath. “I don’t care what’s going on here. We need you with us. You’re going, and that’s all there is to it.” I met his gaze and tried for my mother’s don’t-dare-argue look, but a sad smile was in his eyes and on his lips.
“Zeke will take care of you. If anyone can, he can. Right, Zeke?”
I felt Zeke’s hand on my shoulder. “Thomas will be okay. The community is going to need a strong leader. No one else can do it as well, and the people will listen to him.”
I pulled free of Zeke’s hand and crossed the room to stand in front of Thomas. My hand wrapped around his, and I stared at his chest, quiet as I gathered my thoughts. I hoped I was wrong, but this could be the last time I saw him, and I wanted to get it right.
Finally, I looked up at him. “I thought I hated you.” He rolled his eyes and tried to pull free, but I held tight. “No, wait. Let me finish. You made me feel weak at first. I didn’t realize it was your way of trying to protect me.”
I swallowed hard at the intensity in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to argue, but I forged on, “Then you made me feel strong. You helped me take charge of my fate and taught me I could stand up for myself. You showed me there are good people around me, helping me…caring about me.”
“Charlie, I…”
I eased my fingers over his mouth to stop him. If I didn’t say it now, I’d never say it. “Thomas, I need you to come with us because…because…I care for you. Maybe I even love you.” Ugh! I should have said it better. I shouldn’t have let my insecurity garble my words all up.
Zeke shifted uncomfortably behind me, but I didn’t dare look away. “I’ll give you two some privacy. But, we have to go soon, Charlie, so don’t be long.” A door opened, and daylight flooded the room. Still, I looked at Thomas only.
What would he say? Would he completely reject me? Probably, but I’d had to say it.
“I love you too, Charlie. I think I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you. That’s why I have to let you go. You deserve better than this. I want you safe behind the walls of Mercy. I don’t want you scratching out a pitiful existence here anymore. Better things are out there for you.”
I wrapped both my hands around one of his and pulled it against my chest. “Come with me. We would be happy together. You can always keep me safe.”
The air between us thickened, and his gaze dropped to my lips. I knew what he was thinking because I was thinking it too. He pulled his hand free from my grip and eased both his arms around my waist, pulling me into a loose embrace. He lowered his head toward mine, slowly closing the space between us until he hovered, bathing me in warm, rapid breaths before covering my mouth with a gentle kiss. It felt good and right, and I reveled in the touch, not at all afraid of the strong feelings swirling inside of me. The whispery trace of his lips seemed sweet and hesitant, and a strange excitement filled me when he increased the pressure, completing the soft caress. Seconds felt like minutes as we continued to cling to each other. Finally, he pulled away and placed one more light kiss on my forehead before taking a step back, putting a little distance between us.
He shook his head back and forth slowly. “I have to stay here. It’s my duty. It’s for the best.” He took another step backwards. “Then, when everyone is ready, I’ll lead the community to the city. Will you wait for me there?”
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to hold back my tears. A few escaped as I nodded. “I don’t want to leave you. What if I never see you again?”
“You will, but if you truly care for me, you’ll go. You’ll make sure Star and you make it to Mercy. Now, go. Wasted daylight is not a joke. You’ll need all you can get.”
With a swipe of my hand, I wiped away a few teardrops and turned toward the open door. I slogged toward the exit and gave one last look over my shoulder. “I’ll wait for you.”
“You better.”
I stepped into a densely treed area behind the building and heard the soft thud of a door closing behind me. I’d run through this exact spot during nightwatch duty, but never noticed a door before. As I looked behind me, I couldn’t find a trace of the door I’d just exited. Instead of moving on though, I stood still for a few moments, unsure of my decision. I looked toward Zeke standing beside an open trapdoor built into the back of the shockwall. He stared back at me and gave an impatient motion to follow him.
A close look at the building behind me revealed the slightest outline of misshapen bricks, but I didn’t see any handle or button to access the door from the exterior. Would I go back inside, if I could? If I stayed, at least I knew what awaited me. Inside, I faced a future of constant fighting to keep my freedom. I looked toward the fence. Out there, I could go with Zeke and Star to an uncertain future, but one over which I had some control. In the end, I made my hard decision. The question was, could I live with it?
As I ran to catch up to Zeke, I felt as if each step I took was a step toward a better world. Not a perfect world, but a better one. Some might say where I was headed held more danger than where I was leaving, but as I took one last look at the crumbling, monstrous edifice behind me, I knew better.
We crawled down into the trapdoor and emerged on the other side. I didn’t know what awaited me out here, but I’d chosen an unknown future, and the hope growing inside me was the mercy I could give myself.
Hope you enjoyed Edge of Mercy, the first in the Mercy Series. Please, if you have a minute, leave a review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, or another bookseller’s website. If you send me a link to the review, I’ll happily share an e-book copy of Heart of Mercy when it’s published in July 2013. Oh, and don’t forget to tell all your reader friends.
Sneak Peek of Heart of Mercy
Book Two in the Mercy Series
Death would come sometime. It was an inevitable part of life. But running for my life in the middle of the Dead Forest was so not how I wanted to die. It wasn’t how I was going to die, if I had anything to say about it. I didn’t escape Jonas Bannon, a monster if there ever was one, to be clawed apart by the Draghoul tonight. I didn’t disguise myself as a boy for month
s, just to turn into one of the creatures edging ever closer as the sun traveled through the sky. Yeah, I had issues.
My lungs burned, my thighs ached, but I pushed past the pain and did my best to keep up with Zeke and not slow him down. Other than occasional glances at the map in his hand, he didn’t ease his pace much, but I refused to fall behind. My sister Star was strapped to his back, and if we didn’t make it to Mercy tonight, we were all as good as dead.
“You okay?”
I looked up and met his worried, brown-eyed gaze. He’d paused a few feet ahead of me and stared down from the mid-size hill we were climbing. My chest heaved as I worked to catch my breath. I bent at the waist and rested my hands on my knees. He looked barely winded.
“Heh. Just peachy.”
His eyebrows scrunched together. “Are you sure?”
I straightened and rolled my eyes. This was going to get real annoying real quick. My mother and I dragged ourselves to the wall of the community barely ten months ago, and it was Zeke who pulled us through the gate. I’d disguised myself as a boy then, and since I’d told Zeke the truth days ago, he’d treated me like something breakable. It was time to set him straight on the subject. “I’m still the same Charlie who worked the fields beside you day after day, even if I’m a girl. You know that don’t you? I’m stronger than you think, so stop asking if I’m okay.”
His pursed lips told me the issue wasn’t resolved completely, but he nodded his head and turned his gaze toward the crest of the hill. He glanced back at the map in his hands, a pained look on his face.
“Can we move on?” It wasn’t just impatience that motivated me to ask. The sun was already overhead, which meant we only had about seven or eight more hours of daylight. And we didn’t want to be in the forest at night. We’d be easy prey for the Draghoul, and safe places to hide were few.
