• • •
Ridgeway and I waited on the sub-deck until it cleared of prisoners.
The lights of two fishing trawlers were blinding as they moved into position, as heavy fumes polluted the salty air. A cable stretched from them and tightened on a Sub to the left. As the trawlers moved forward they screamed with the pain of the strain until the vessel began to sink under water. Another cable tightened ahead and the other sub began its forward, downward motion.
‘We better get below,’ Ridgeway hollered above the squeal of the trawler engines.
The seaman led me up the ladder to an open hatch. At the top I paused and placed a hand in my pocket and found Ishbel’s pebble. I wondered if she would go to the prison. She would find the body. How would she feel about her father’s death and my part in it? I turned towards Black Rock for the last time. Its ghostly outline stood in silhouette against the rain-slated seascape, its total blackness broken by one single light shining from the cliff face. I knew that window so well and I pictured the new-look Scud standing there as he had done on many other occasions, still trapped, looking through the starburst glass at the blackness beyond. Maybe Ishbel would persuade him to leave. I bowed my head in thanks to them both and allowed myself to be lowered into the cramped doorway that led to Freedom.
Ways of the Doomed
Moira McPartlin
© Moira McPartlin 2017
First published by Saraband in 2015
The author asserts the moral right to be identified
as the author of the work in accordance with the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Fledgling Press Ltd,
Cover illustration: Graeme Clarke
This edition published by:
Fledgling Press Ltd,
39 Argyle Crescent,
Edinburgh,
EH15 2QE
www.fledglingpress.co.uk
Print ISBN 9781912280032
eBook ISBN 9781912280049
“If you liked Divergent and ‘that one about hunger’, you’re going to love Ways of The Doomed. Moira McPartlin’s prose is rich but unpretentious, her storytelling, thumping. An exciting new voice in YA fiction.” Helen FitzGerald
“Chilling, intelligent, and thought-provoking, this richly imagined vision of the future gripped me from the outset. Beautifully written with fully realised characters, vivid settings, and a clever and playful use of language, Ways of the Doomed makes for a thrilling read. I loved it! My only complaint? I can’t wait for book 2.” Christina Banach, author of Minty
praise for Moira McPartlin’s debut, The Incomers:
shortlisted – Saltire Society First Book Award 2012
“A graceful, searching tale of a stranger in a strange land. Its emotional resonance and narrative sweep fascinate to the end.” Alan Bissett
“Graceful, delicate stuff that masterfully builds as it goes, painting a picture of a time, place and people that is never less than engrossing.” Daily Record
"Raises issues of estrangement vividly and compassionately" Northwords Now
Also by Moira McPartlin
The Incomers
Wants of the Silent
About the author
Moira McPartlin’s debut novel, The Incomers, was shortlisted for the Saltire Society First Book of the Year Award and was a critical success. Moira is also a prolific writer of short stories and poetry, which have been published in a wide variety of literary magazines.
Read on...
Sorlie arrives in the Atlantic Archipelago to find Vanora’s empire in decline…
Ishbel fights to keep Scud alive…
the Noiri’s hold on Esperaneo’s supply chain is increasing …
and there is a new player in town.
Who holds the real power in Esperaneo? The State? Vanora? The Noiri? Or The Prince?
And who will heed the Wants of the Silent?
Ways of the Doomed Page 25
