The Perfect Outcast

by Melissa O. Hansen

  It was true, she had accepted this, but Zaiden still occupied her mind every free moment. “I–I don’t think I could bear seeing him like that when it’s my fault he’s imprisoned in the first place. Even if he doesn’t care about me—but I can’t help wondering, you know, if he would, now that I look different…” she trailed off.

  “You think he’d only like you if you’re pretty?” Jade asked.

  Alina shrugged. “I know it’s vain. But I always felt that was why boys never paid attention to me.”

  Jade stroked her hand. “You put too much emphasis on beauty. I understand why—you had a different experience in Pria than the rest of us. But when everyone is beautiful, the meaning of the word changes. It’s a matter of opinion. Once or twice, I heard people say how unforgettable you were because of your unique face.”

  Alina rolled her eyes. “Of course—I had red blemishes and crooked teeth and other things they hadn’t seen before. But here—well, you’ve seen how people react.”

  “Yes, but remember, they have a different opinion of beauty. If Zaiden did make it here, he might be attracted to the simple girls of Carthem the same way he was drawn to you in Pria.”

  “You think he was?”

  Jade grinned. “I don’t know his reasons, but yes, he definitely was.”

  “It doesn’t matter, anyway. If he makes it here, he’ll be a crazy killer, stalking me.” She tried to laugh but dissolved into tears.

  Jade rubbed her back, and after allowing her to cry for a moment, spoke gently. “I’m not sure if this will help you feel better, but can I tell you my story?”

  Alina looked at her and nodded, wiping her cheeks.

  “You probably haven’t thought of this, but isn’t it peculiar Sampson didn’t release me into Carthem as a violent crazy woman after J’koby was sent back? To this day, he remains the worst of Sampson’s enemies, and Sampson knew we loved each other.”

  “But since J’koby was mortal, why didn’t Sampson kill him?” Alina asked.

  “I don’t know for sure, but my guess is he wanted more. He’s a cruel man. He wants his enemies to suffer and feel oppressed under his power. That’s the ultimate satisfaction for him.”

  “Did he try to make you insane?”

  “Yes. I believe he imprisoned me for that purpose. And to hasten this, he put you—a newborn baby—in a dark cell next to mine, so I would be tortured by your cries and my inability to do anything about them. This was temporary, though, until he could decide what to do with you. He needed to keep you secret. But naturally, no one in Gordian knew anything about mortal babies—not even he, who once lived in a mortal world. He never had children of his own. Or if he did, he didn’t know them.

  “But during those two years that J’koby lived with Camden, he taught me everything about caring for babies. He didn’t have children himself, but he knew a lot, having lived among mortals for so long. The plan was, if Sampson discovered you and killed him and your mother, I would become your caretaker.”

  “The plan worked, then!”

  Jade nodded. “It wasn’t easy, though. Your cries and my helplessness would have driven me mad if I didn’t take action. Sampson knew how you threatened him, so he searched desperately for a way to keep you alive. He always sent one of his indoctrinated guards down to feed you—he never came himself, because he was terrified of you. You threatened him so much, he got anxious just being near you.”

  She took a deep breath. “When I heard your cries, I got an idea. I told the guard you might be ill and to send for Sampson right away. He came down immediately. I told him I believed your cries indicated you were dying. Sampson didn’t believe me at first. He knew viruses and germs didn’t exist in Pria and thought as long as you ate, you’d be fine. His naiveté was so extreme, it was almost easy.” She grinned.

  “I told him there were many ways a child could die without germs or infections. They could die if neglected or isolated without affection. Their body organs and brain could shut down, and so on. Everything I said was true, and he must have remembered some from his mortal days, because he believed me.

  “So, he turned on a light, and holding me firmly, led me into your cell where he told me to examine you for signs of illness. He knew you’d need a diaper, so you had extra layers down there, but his guard didn’t have the slightest clue how to change your bedding, much less how often. You were lying in a small cradle, soaked in urine and feces. I took off your clothes and wiped you clean enough to reveal a flaming red rash from your upper torso down to your knees. Not only was this alarming to see, but you were screaming at the top of your lungs and Sampson went into a panic. He thought you, and therefore his precious kingdom, were heading for a quick and painful death.”

  “The rash—was it serious?” Alina asked.

  Jade chuckled. “No. J’koby told me about them. Any small detail might get you into my custody, so he told me everything specific to babies. This worked. I told Sampson I knew how to treat the rash, but you couldn’t live in a dark dungeon and survive—you needed to be nurtured to thrive. The better life he gave you, the longer you would live, and the more time he would have to find a solution. I offered to be your guardian and he consented, on one condition—I was put under surveillance. He didn’t want you to know who you were. Who you are.”

  Jade paused and looked down at her hands, tears trickling around her nose. “That was the best moment of my life, the day I became your caretaker and was spared being sent into Carthem to murder my love.”

  Alina was crying, too. She reached out to hug her.

  “Don’t give up hope for Zaiden,” Jade whispered. “It takes a long time—years—to make someone crazy enough to murder a loved one. Sampson doesn’t have that kind of time.”

  At six o’clock the next morning, Alina dressed in her traveling clothes and placed the last of her things in her pack. She buried Zaiden’s disc and the panel at the bottom, where no one could see it, then slid the guidebook into a side pocket where it would be accessible. The book didn’t seem as ominous to her now. Jade’s words soothed her, and Trinee brought a welcome diversion when she called after Jade went to sleep. The girls chatted and giggled late into the night, and when the dawn came, Alina felt ready to face the journey ahead of her.

  Rex tapped on the door and entered, dressed in similar khaki-colored pants and waterproof boots.

  “Is Jade awake?” he asked.

  “Not yet.”

  “We need to wake her. We’re supposed to meet Baylor in the lobby in fifteen minutes.” He looked at her bag on the floor. “Did you pack the guidebook?”

  “Yes.”

  He sighed. “I suppose we better take it, though I’d soon burn it for all the good it does.”

  Alina walked to the bed and rubbed Jade’s arm. “Wake up, Jade. We need to leave in a few minutes.” Jade stirred for a moment, then swung the covers off and went into the bathroom. Alina put on her pack and followed Rex into the hallway. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

  “Did you sleep okay?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “Not a wink.”

  “Maybe you can sleep on the drive.”

  “Baylor said the road’s pretty bumpy. Lots of ruts and dips.”

  “Well, think of how good you’ll sleep tonight when we’re in the wild. You’ll be glad to be tired then.”

  “I hope so.”

  “At least we don’t have to clean bathrooms anymore,” Alina said, trying to perk him up. He forced a smile.

  They said nothing more until Jade joined them in the hallway in her traveling clothes. She hoisted her pack onto her back and straightened her hat. “Are we ready?” she asked.

  “Let’s go,” said Rex.

  A small crowd gathered in the lobby to say goodbye: Dr. Scott and Jade’s nurses, Lance, Eleanor, and Baylor’s family. Trinee surprised Alina by being there so early after their late night. Her eyes looked puffy, but she smiled as she linked arms with Alina.

  “Promise me y
ou’ll look after Dad?” she whispered.

  Alina’s face softened. “Of course.”

  “Mom’s really worried this time, more than usual.”

  Alina glanced at Janet. She looked sick.

  Trinee furrowed her brow. “This trip will be the most dangerous he’s been on.”

  Alina’s heart sank. She was the reason their journey was so dangerous. “You know I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to him.”

  Trinee’s eyes widened. “That’s not what I meant—I don’t want you to feel responsible. We all know fighting Sampson is dangerous. I’ll never blame you if something goes wrong.”

  “I know. But I’ll do everything I can to keep him—all of them—safe.”

  “I know you will.”

  “I’ll miss you, Trin.”

  “I’ll miss you too.”

  They hugged tightly. Trinee turned back to join her parents, and Alina walked to Lance, who stood on the side by himself, observing the group. He smiled at her as she approached.

  “You know, Alina,” he said when she reached him, “despite what people say about me being the best hope for Carthem, the truth is, you are. I’m glad you’re immortal so you’ll be safe. But there may come a time when you have to change so the mission can progress. Be prepared and learn all you can so when the time comes, you’ll be ready.”

  Alina didn’t understand him, but she nodded as if she did.

  “Baylor will get you there safely. I hope you have a wonderful reunion with your father and grandfather.”

  “Thank you, Lance.” She pulled out the vial of serum tears and handed it to him.

  He beamed as he took it from her. “Thank you. I knew you could do it.”

  The crowd followed them out the door, with Jade and her nurses the lively ones of the group. Tears rolled down Janet’s face as she held Baylor’s hand. He had his other arm around Trinee, who forced a smile.

  Their vehicle sat in the parking lot, loaded with supplies. Baylor threw their packs in the back, hugged and kissed his family one more time, then hopped into the driver’s seat.

  Jade and Alina climbed in the back, leaving the front passenger side for Rex. The crowd waved as they drove away. Janet and Trinee held each other, both in tears. Baylor didn’t look back, but his eyes were wet.

  As they turned a corner and pulled onto the main street, Alina’s mouth dropped in a startled gasp. Despite the early hour, the entire town lined the street, waving and cheering as the vehicle came into view. She grabbed Baylor’s shoulder.

  “Do they know about me?” she asked.

  He turned his head and smiled. “Yes. Lance made a public announcement last night. It’s time for people to know you’re here. You need some encouragement as we head off—it helps us remember what we’re fighting for.”

  Large signs and banners waved with the crowd.

  Good luck Alina!

  We’re fighting with you!

  Make Carthem free!

  The roof of the vehicle was down, and Alina scrambled over the packs and stood to wave. Children jumped up and down when they saw her, and others blew kisses, eagerly returning her waves.

  “We love you, Alina!” they called to her.

  She blinked back tears as she looked into each face, these people who had lived under Sampson’s oppression all their lives. J’koby’s mission, her birth, the Cause—brought them hope for a better life. She swallowed and tried to smile. If they knew her, they wouldn’t dare put so much faith in her.

  The cheers grew more exuberant as Baylor drove to the end of the street and crossed through Stormport’s protective shield. Alina climbed as high as she could, waving until the paved road changed to dirt and the people became small dots on the horizon.

  “Time to put up the roof,” said Baylor, and as Alina sat down, the car enclosed around them. “We should also put on the ear shields. Brainwastes can sneak into cars, no matter how tight they are.” He put one around his head and snapped it on.

  Alina felt a twinge of guilt for her immortal comforts. The shields looked tight and uncomfortable. Jade grimaced as she snapped hers in place. “Interesting,” she said. “I can hear the same as before.”

  “Another tribute to Lance’s genius,” said Baylor. “Shields would be worthless if they kept people from hearing other dangers.” Baylor revved the engine over a large sandy patch. One of the back tires sank in, and he switched to four-wheel drive.

  “Wow. This is going to be a long trip,” Rex commented.

  But Baylor soon got into a rhythm, and he kept the car at a steady if bouncy pace. He seemed to know the road well.

  A restless mood settled over the group. “Tell me about life in Pria,” Baylor said, trying to disperse the tension. “Are all the women as beautiful as you, Alina?”

  “Oh yes,” Rex said. “And if they had brains and personality like she and Jade, Pria would be a paradise indeed. But most of them are shallow and vain.”

  Baylor chuckled, and Rex began elaborating on the many women who tried to seduce him over the years. Baylor shook his head in disbelief, but Rex didn’t exaggerate—women did outrageous things in Pria to get attention. Alina leaned back in her seat to enjoy the view outside. The prairie lands stretched out before them: flat and golden.

  Before long, Alina heard a strange noise, which grew louder as she put her ear to the window. She furrowed her brow. Could something be wrong with the car?

  “Baylor?” she said, but he was engrossed in Rex’s story.

  “There I was at home, having barely escaped her, when I heard a knock at my door,” Rex prattled. “Well, I wasn’t about to answer it. The next thing I knew this woman was peering through my bedroom window—”

  “Quiet!” Baylor hissed.

  They stiffened. “What is it?” Rex asked in a hoarse whisper.

  Baylor didn’t answer but cracked his window and removed the dart gun from his pocket. He held it steady through the gap.

  A shrill cry broke out, and Rex, Alina, and Jade screamed and cowered in the car. Baylor fired, silencing it.

  “What was that?” Rex panted.

  “A grimalkin,” Baylor answered. “Vicious feline creatures with poisonous claws. They pounce and scratch their prey. If a claw draws blood, the poison is pumped to the heart in minutes.”

  “We wouldn’t last five minutes without you, Baylor!” Jade exclaimed. “How did you hear it?”

  “They give a strange hiss when going for the kill. It’s not very loud, but distinct enough I usually notice it.”

  “I heard it, too,” said Alina.

  Baylor nodded at her. “I’m sorry to put an end to the only relief we have, but I don’t think we should talk. Not that your story isn’t engaging, Rex. I definitely want to hear the ending another time. But for now, we should speak only when necessary and in whispers. I’ve never encountered a creature so close to Stormport before.”

  “Keeping the windows closed should help, right?” Rex asked.

  “Glass can’t stop anything Prian-made, just so you know.”

  More edgy than before, they strained to hear any unusual sounds outside. Baylor’s driving became erratic, and he pushed on the gas to get the tires out of ruts along the road.

  A few moments later, Alina heard the noise again, this time strong and disjointed, like a chorus hissing all at once. She panicked.

  “Baylor!” she cried, “I hear the hissing, and there’s a lot of them this time!”

  “I don’t hear anything—”

  “I heard it before you did last time, too.”

  Baylor stopped the car. “Guns out, everyone,” he said, cracking the windows so the guns could fit through. “This could be bad,” he warned as the hissing met their ears.

  A moment later, the battle cry of grimalkins cut the air, drowning out the whizzing of darts around them. Thirty or more, with vomit-colored fur and ink-black eyes, stalked the vehicle. Jade shrieked as several jumped on the roof, their sharp claws screeching over the metal. On
e poked its head over the edge and swatted through the window crack. The creatures fell to the ground when hit, only to be replaced by more of them. Alina gritted her teeth and prayed the darts wouldn’t run out. Had the guns been tested like this before?

  An unusually large grimalkin clawed at the window with a horrible grating noise. It lay low on the roof where the guns could not aim. “Smart creature,” Alina muttered.

  “Hit its paw—anything!” Baylor shouted, sweat dripping from his forehead.

  After several unsuccessful shots, Alina could see the glass about to shatter. Numerous grimalkins remained, and if they penetrated the car, she’d be the one person left alive.

  She leaned against the window and slipped her hands through the crack, seizing the animal around its neck. It scratched ferociously at her hands and arms, but with one strong twist, she broke its neck and flung it to the ground.

  One by one, she killed each creature on the car until she could open the door, then slipped out and slammed it behind her. She ran from the car, screaming at the top of her lungs. The diversion worked. Fifteen sets of claws sprung on her at once, and in less than a minute, a heap of mangled grimalkins lay on the ground around her.

  She flipped back her hair and ran her hands over her arms. Her sleeves were in shreds, but her skin was smooth without a scratch in sight.

  Jade and Rex burst into cheers, and despite Baylor’s instructions not to leave the vehicle, they scrambled out and ran to her, almost knocking her to the ground.

  “Alina, that was incredible!” Rex exclaimed, squeezing her against him. “I’m not afraid of anything now!”

  “Maybe we’ll be safer than we thought,” Jade agreed. Alina beamed, but when she looked at Baylor, her smile faded.

  He seemed relieved, but with a hint of sadness in his eyes. She knew then, as he did—defending themselves wouldn’t always be that easy. Larger and more dangerous creatures than grimalkins haunted Carthem’s wilderness.

  They drove through the prairie all afternoon. After several hours without any encounters, Rex reached a cheerful mood and Jade napped peacefully on Alina’s shoulder. Baylor, however, was on edge. His shoulders tightened as he drove, and his eyes didn’t blink. The absence of creature sightings made him jittery, as if he expected something to pounce on the car at any moment. He kept repeating, both to others and himself, how they must reach their destination before dark.