Perfect Summer

by Karen King

  I knew what she meant. Every night I had nightmares when either me or Josh or both of us were being chopped up into little pieces. I woke up sweating, then would have to get out of bed and check that my little brother was in his room. I stood there watching him sleeping soundly and thanked God that he was safe, and that he didn’t understand what had happened to him. Sometimes Mum or Dad would come in too. They placed their arms on my shoulder and we stood there for a while, in silence, just watching Josh sleep.

  It had been a terrifying ordeal, but it had made me stronger somehow, more sure of myself. I’d looked death in the face and survived. And whilst I wouldn’t want to go through the experience again, it made me realize that I was tougher than I’d ever thought possible. It had made me reassess my life too, think about what was important. I’m not saying that I’d stop wearing makeup or would never have any beauty enhancement, but it wasn’t high priority anymore. I’d seen the damage that kind of thinking had done.

  It had been over a week since it all happened and I still hadn’t heard from Summer. I didn’t know what to do, whether to call her or wait for her to contact me. Then I thought back to how I’d felt when Josh was born, how I hadn’t wanted to face anyone until I came to terms with what had happened. So I hadn’t contacted Summer. But she’d finally come round with some chocolates and a present for Josh. We’d talked and everything had seemed better.

  I didn’t think it was a good idea to go around to Summer’s house. Her parents probably needed time to sort things out. I messaged her telling her I was here for her and to pop around anytime. She replied that it was a bit awkward at home right now but she’d be in touch soon.

  I hadn’t heard from Jamie either. I’d messaged and emailed him but he hadn’t replied. I was sad about that because I liked him a lot and he’d saved our lives. Everyone said we were both heroes, but I didn’t agree. I’d done what I had to do to save my little brother. When Jamie knew Holly was dead he could have run, saved his own skin. But he’d stayed with us. Helped us get away.

  We’d vowed to keep in touch but maybe Jamie couldn’t face it, couldn’t cope with the fact that Josh had survived and Holly hadn’t. Maybe every time he saw me it would be like a knife twisting in a raw wound. So I stopped messaging him. The least I could do was let him grieve in peace.

  Summer contacted me at last. It had been almost two weeks. She said things were strained at home so we met at Pretzie’s, a café bar in the precinct. I guessed she felt too awkward to come to my house.

  I saw her sitting in a table in the corner, drinking a smoothie, as soon as I walked in. She waved. I ordered a banana milkshake and walked over to join her.

  “You okay?” I asked as I sat down opposite her. She looked tired and not quite as immaculately groomed as usual.

  She nodded. “Coping. How about you? And Josh? I was so worried about you all when you got kidnapped. I felt terrible that I hadn’t been with you. I might have been able to help.”

  “You did help. You sent the LEF to rescue us,” I told her. “Thank goodness you contacted them right away and told them we were being held in a research centre. If they’d been a few minutes later we’d have all been dead.”

  “Leo called them. He heard you on the phone. I didn’t know at the time, of course, but he was worried about Emma.” She looked at me. “I can’t believe that he was having an affair for all those years. That he had a daughter. I thought he and Tamara were happy. Now I feel like I don’t know anything anymore. That I can’t trust anyone.”

  I didn’t know what to say to her. I’d met Zeta, Emma’s mum, at the hospital. She’d come to thank me and Jamie for rescuing Emma. I’d liked her right away. She was pretty. Not as beautiful as Tamara, but warm and friendly. The sort of person you felt you could turn to if you were in trouble. I saw why Leo was attracted to her. I didn’t think Summer would want to know that, though, so I silently sipped my milkshake and listened while she raged about how her dad had let them down, how he’d been suspended from his job, might even face charges. I felt so sorry for her. Her perfect world had tumbled down around her, and there was nothing she could do about it.

  “What about Emma?” I asked. “Have you met her yet?”

  Summer shook her head. “Tamara won’t have her in the house. And I don’t think I’m ready to meet her yet. I mean, I know it’s not her fault but my whole life has changed because of her…of what Leo did.”

  “She’s a brave kid, Summer. Those sickos were going to kill us but she didn’t freak out and she tried to look after Josh. And your dad loves her. You should have seen them together.”

  “I know he loves her...but she shouldn’t even exist,” Summer blurted out. “It’s bad enough that he had an affair, that he had a child from that affair, but...” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry, Morgan. I know how this must sound to you, what with Josh… but can you imagine what everyone will say at school?”

  Of course I could imagine. I’d been through it. But Josh wasn’t a result of my dad’s affair. That would have made it twice as bad.

  “Look, Summer. I know it’s hard and I don’t know what to say to help you. Except, well, you were there for me when Josh was born and I’m here for you. I know how you must hate your dad right now. I’d hate mine if he’d cheated on Mum and had a secret child. But he took care of Emma, and he came to our rescue, even though he knew the truth about him would come out and it would probably ruin his career.”

  She nodded. “I know. But he’s screwed up my life. All our lives. I can’t forgive him for that.” She swallowed. “Not yet anyway. Maybe not ever.”

  Who could blame her? I doubt if I’d be able to forgive my dad either.

  “How’s Jamie?” she asked suddenly. “He must be gutted about his sister.”

  “He is. He adored her. I haven’t heard from him since we were rescued. I guess he’s still coming to terms with it.”

  “I wanted to see you to tell you that I’m not going back to school. I can’t face it,” Summer said. “Mum’s taking me and Kyle away for a while. We’re staying with Grandad and Grandma for a few weeks until things die down. Mum’s arranged private tuition for us both, until the exams, and I’m going to take them at a centre near the grandfolk.” She pushed the empty glass away and stood up. “I’ve got to go now, Morgan. I’ll message you.”

  As I watched her walk away, I had a feeling that this was goodbye. That I wouldn’t see her again.

  I would miss her so much. Summer and I had been friends forever. That was all gone. Being Summer’s friend had been what defined me, what made me feel that I could cope with the grief the other kids gave me because of Josh. It had given me street cred, meant that I wasn’t a no-hoper. I could imagine how badly Opal, Tiffany and the others would rib me now I no longer had Summer at my side. I finished my drink slowly then went home.

  Josh ran to greet me as I walked in.

  “Maw!” he said, hugging my knees. I bent down and picked him up. I’d lost my best friend but I could have lost my brother for good. Like Jamie had lost his sister. I could have lost my lifestyle, my home, everything I took for granted like Summer had done.

  I reminded myself I was the lucky one.

  The E-screen was on in the background. Josh turned his head as his favourite jingle came on. “Perfectly lovely, perfectly happy.”

  I reached for the remote and switched it off. “Come on, Joshie. Let’s play ball.”

  I put Josh down, picked up the ball, and took my little brother’s hand in mine. As we walked out into the garden, my squilb bleeped, I took it out of my pocket and flicked it open. It was a message from Jamie asking if I could come online to chat. My heart skipped a beat. He still wanted to be friends.

  “Maw.”

  Josh tugged at me hand, impatient for me to play with him. I smiled down at him, then I picked up the ball and threw it across the garden.

  “Go get it, Josh!”

  As Josh run, giggling, after the ball I sent Jamie a message back. “Be online in 15
mins x x.”

  Then I went to play with Josh.

  About the Author

  Karen King has been writing children’s books since the mid-eighties. She’s written for many children's magazines too including Sindy, Barbie, Winnie the Pooh and Thomas the Tank Engine. Some of her short stories were featured on Playdays BBC and some of her poems on the BBC One Potato, Two Potato website. She writes for all ages and in all genres but Perfect Summer is her first YA novel.

  Also from Astraea Press:

  Prologue

  “Kyle, run! You have to run!” Kaden screamed in my face, trying to raise his voice above the windstorm ripping through the trees. The Empirical Enforcement Squad was fast approaching. I couldn’t hear them, but the black uniforms were spotted through the thick forest like a warning beacon.

  “Kyle! Didn’t you hear me?” Kaden took me by the shoulders and gave me a large shove towards the north forest. “If they catch you, you’re as good as dead.” A tear ran down his cheek and rolled across his quivering lip.

  With a cry, I flung my arms around his shoulders and let out a sob before turning on my heel and running.

  I had to go. I had to escape the Enforcers. Most of the little girls they caught died in their hands, ravaged and then killed. The ones who lived ended up taking their own lives. It was not an option for me, nor for my best friend, who was doing his utmost to push me into the shadow of the trees.

  I knew what he was doing.

  Sacrificing his life, so I could have mine.

  For the fate of little boys was worse than girls.

  Slavery.

  And I knew Kaden would rather die than be a slave. Naturally, they would oblige him. And it would be my fault. All because I was out picking berries and daydreaming in the forest past curfew. But all of that didn’t matter, not now, when I was literally watching my life play out in front of my very eyes.

  I let out a pitiful scream as I reached the edge of the woods. There was a clearing directly in front of me, and the forest continued to the right. I quickly calculated my chances in the forest and then in the clearing.

  The clearing had a large lake I could run around and possibly hide in, that was if they didn’t stop and search for me. Once in the clearing it would be possible to outrun the Enforcers and their ships, for they moved slower over water. None of us really knew why. It was just a fact.

  My lungs burned in protest as my tired legs urged me forward. My feet caught a branch, surging me forward towards the sharply-wooded forest floor.

  I screamed from the impact and warm blood trickled down both of my legs. I paused to take a look at the large wounds on my shins and frantically brushed away the dirt near the cuts.

  I had no time left. I could hear the shouting. With a whimper, I scrambled underneath a rock ledge and peered over. The ledge shielded me from being seen but smelled musty and old. Thoughts of snakes and rats flooded my brain, but I had to stay safe. My gaze locked on movement from where I had just run.

  Kaden was leaning against one of the trees. I could make out his devastating features. With brown hair and warm eyes, he was so handsome it was hard not to tremble in his presence. His strong arms braced across his chest, and a mocking smile firmly in place.

  I watched in horror as two of the Enforcers approached the trees next to Kaden. His expression was strong, unwavering. I would always remember him that way—courageous.

  He looked like a warrior. A feeling of self sufficiency washed over me. It was the first time in my short life that I felt grown up, even if it hadn’t been of my own choosing. At only thirteen and fifteen, we had been forced to grow up before our time. To provide for our mothers who, when they gave birth, often faced the perils of death from lack of medical supplies. And to give food to our brothers and sisters, all in hope that one day we would be free from the tyrannical government of the West Republic.

  Kaden didn’t even scream as the Enforcer slapped him across the face. Nor did he flinch when the man spit on him, the saliva mingling with the blood tricking down his chiseled jaw.

  At fifteen, Kaden was the eldest of my friends. I had always been half in love with him. But what girl wouldn’t be? He had helped feed my family for the past five years when my father was unable to work. He was so protective, so gallant. If only it wouldn’t have cost him his life.

  I crouched closer to the ground. Pine needles brushed against my legs, burning my flesh. I had always been allergic, and now it seemed to flare to life at the worst of times.

  I reached down and rubbed the exposed part of my legs to relieve some of the pain, cursing my stupidity at wearing such tattered pants out in the woods.

  Kaden swore as the Enforcer grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. The black of his uniform burned my eyes in all of its symbolism, like death had descended upon us. The Enforcer’s gloved hands clenched around Kadens’ face as he asked about me. My gaze darted to the horrific scene, watching my world crumble. Each piece hit the floor until finally there was nothing left.

  Kaden lunged for the man but was subdued by another hit to the head.

  I froze.

  Kaden looked the man in the eye and smiled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Perhaps you’re mistaken?”

  The Enforcer swore and punched Kaden in the stomach. I had to fight the bile building in my throat. Extreme nausea overcame me. How could a person be so cruel? I was one girl. What worth was I to the Republic? One girl couldn’t cause so much harm as they thought. After all, girls were worth nothing to the government, merely slaves or a means to providing more heirs to the empire. I knew it was just the fact that they lost me, and they would suffer the consequences. Nothing more, nothing less.

  It had to be.

  “I’ll ask you one more time—where is the girl?” The Enforcer seemed to enjoy inflicting pain on Kaden. His smile wide as he continued to deliver blows to Kaden’s body.

  Kaden grinned. “I’ll tell you one more time. I have no idea what girl you’re talking about.”

  “So you’ll die,” the man said plainly.

  “So I will,” Kaden answered.

  A scream erupted from my throat before I could stop it. Without warning, Enforcers came crushing around me, dragging me to my feet, and pulling me towards the ship. “No! No! Kaden!” I yelled and begged, but Kaden was nowhere to be found. I gave myself up in vain with the small hope that at least my sacrifice would save his life.

  Finally as Enforcers began to circle me, knives raised, I caught a glimpse of his white shirt amongst all the darkness of the Empire’s death squad.

  I pushed at the Enforcer. If only I could keep my gaze on Kaden, then he would be safe. The forest buzzed to life with the Enforcer ship whipping the trees. My eyes stung from swirling debris, trying to stay open. Kaden disappeared behind the black uniforms, then appeared again as the Enforcer lifted me into the ship.

  Two men approached Kaden. The first struck him across the face causing him to stumble to the ground. The second man pulled out a red dagger.

  The last thing I saw was Kaden being stabbed in the back. A dark Enforcer knife lodged in his flesh. I couldn’t tell where the knife began and Kaden ended.

  My world went black.

  Chapter One

  Six years later

  I yawned as the scent of water lilies and lilacs wafted into my room. It was more of a prison, but I never said the word aloud lest I upset my adopted family and cause my own death.

  I was already in trouble for trying to leave the castle grounds without Lex’s commanding presence. He was my own private security detail and an all around easy guy to get along with—at least when he was in a good mood, which, lucky for me, was often. I read to him, and he took me wherever I wanted to go.

  Those in the service of the West Republic were never allowed an education. It was the one way the Republic was able to keep order within the realm. If servants were not educated, then they lacked the knowledge to rise up against authority.

  I, of course, was a
n exception, considering I was captured at such a young age. The Emperor never told me why he spared my life, or why I was to be untouched by any of the Enforcers. Only that I had a specific destiny, one that even he could not reveal to me until the time came.

  He’s old. That’s why I often credited his odd ramblings to his senile mind. After all, what could one girl possibly do that would affect the world in any way?

  Besides, that life was gone. It was taken from me the day they killed my best friend. Tears burned my eyes at the sudden memory. Six years was a long time to mourn the loss of a friend, but at night the tears still rolled down my cheeks, the smell of pine needles wafted into my consciousness, and the absolute terror that gripped my chest the moment Kaden was ripped from this world all came back.

  I would never see his playful smile again. It had always seemed to make my days better when I could start off the morning with Kaden greeting me or teasing me. His smile had been devastating, innocent but at the same time secretive and sensual. Yet nothing compared to the way his hand felt in mine. I shuddered, never again would the warmth of his tight embrace surround me.

  He had given me my first kiss that year.

  We were hunting for squirrels. He’d stopped to pick up a smooth stone—I always collected smooth stones for my slingshot. He’d handed it to me and then kept hanging on to my hand.

  He had said, “I know right now it doesn’t make sense to you. But I pledge my life to yours.” His green eyes had twinkled, and I loved the way that he made me feel, as if I was the most beautiful girl in the world.

  “And I pledge my life to yours,” I had answered back, swearing my undying loyalty, though I was so nervous I had thought I might throw up. Even in my immaturity I knew the oath that I had made. I had told him that I wanted to be with him and nobody else. I was his and he was mine.

  “Forever?” he’d asked.