Avoidables 2

by Rachel Medhurst

  Avoidables 2

  Purple’s War

  By

  Rachel Medhurst

  Copyright © Rachel Medhurst 2014

  Avoidables 3 is out now!

  Sign up for fun and info at: www.rachelmedhurst.com

  This novella is dedicated to the men in the world that can’t find love. Open your heart and it will come to you.

  CONTENTS

  Episode One

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Episode Two

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Episode Three

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Episode Four

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Episode Five

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Serial Three

  Author

  Episode One

  Chapter One

  The camp was well set out so it was a shame I’d soon have to destroy it. I stood on the edge of the red mountain top, looking down at the rebel’s base. I’d been searching for them for three days. At first, Artie had admitted defeat. He’d even tried to forbid me from coming after Hope, but soon changed his mind. He hadn’t let me see the note that Leon had left. I was still unsure whether Hope had gone with him or had a female whim and gone on her own.

  My phone started to vibrate against my leg. I crouched low and answered it.

  ‘I’m here,’ I whispered as I watched a few people sitting around the camp fires. It was dark now and I was glad they still had some fires lit.

  ‘What can you see?’ came Artie’s reply.

  ‘They had quite a few fires, but most people are going to bed. I…’

  I stopped speaking when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. A person had come running out of a gap in the mountain. Their hair was dark and fell to their shoulders and as they passed a fire, I saw that she only had one arm. Bingo. A bulky man came out of the gap and walked a few paces behind her. I noticed he was half naked and was rubbing his face.

  ‘I’ve spotted Hope,’ I said.

  Artie knew when to keep quiet. ‘Don’t go straight in, Purple, take your time,’ he answered. His military training had always come in handy.

  I shut off my phone and watched as Hope went into a tent. Noland. That was the man who was walking after her. I held my breath as he came to a stop outside her tent. He sat down in front of it and I let my breath out.

  What the hell was Noland doing? He’d wanted to work for Artie again, but here he was mixing with the rebels. Why? I started to rise when I saw Leon approach Noland. That bastard needed to see the back of my fist. I clenched my hands and stopped myself from unfurling my wings and flying down there to sort it out. But this needed to be handled a little more delicately. I knew Artie didn’t want me to come because I could be rash, but I was doing okay so far.

  My phone vibrated again and I growled when I saw the name on the screen. ‘What do you want, Jason?’

  ‘Artie just told me what happened,’ he shouted. ‘Why didn’t you let me know?’

  I rolled away from the side of the mountain. I didn’t know how far sound could travel around these places.

  ‘Shut up!’ I whispered, ‘If you’d been there when it happened then you’d know wouldn’t you. You gave up your right to Hope when you left her.’ I could feel the phone slipping in my hand. A heat ran over my body and I was tempted to put the phone down and let him suffer.

  ‘Purple, please…you don’t understand. Please tell me if she’s okay?’

  I hated to hear a man plead. There was something so desperate about a man who was so in love with a woman that he turned into a wreck. A tiny part of me laughed at myself; the same part of me which longed to belong to someone. I quickly shoved it down and growled again.

  ‘I don’t know if she’s okay, but I can tell you she’s alive.’

  I moved back over to the edge and saw Noland and Leon walk away from Hope’s tent, leaving another man to sit guard. So they were keeping her prisoner. She hadn’t gone willingly. These men were going to pay.

  ‘Thank you, Purple,’ Jason sighed. ‘I know you don’t believe a word I say. Please trust me when I say that I love her. She’s my soulmate and I’m working hard to make it right.’

  ‘So why has it taken you three days to call?’ I couldn’t help the tone of my voice. If my soulmate had gone missing, I’d know right away and I’d also be there to find her. Not that I’d ever have a soulmate. That soppy stuff was for other men. Not me.

  ‘I couldn’t feel her distress. I thought she understood and was fine. Until tonight. Something happened and I just felt something wasn’t quite right.’ He sounded sad and I almost had sympathy, but that soon disappeared.

  ‘Well it’s not been right for a few days. Maybe you’re not as connected as you think you are.’ It was harsh I know, but where was he? I was on a mountain top planning to rescue his girlfriend while he was playing happy families with his fiancé.

  ‘Purple, don’t be like that. You’ve seen us together.’

  I’d put doubt into his mind. I sighed and gave in.

  ‘I’m at the camp now. I’ve just seen her. She’s fine, okay. Now get back to your happy family and let me get her out of here.’ I shut the phone off. I couldn’t help it. I’d never liked the man.

  I stood again and debated going down there and destroying the whole camp. Rebels had caused nothing but problems for us in Lower Side and even though their recent bombing had brought about a trial, the truth was that Avoidables were never given a fair trial. They were instantly killed. We were avoidable for a reason. Perfects hated the way we looked and acted. Yet, they liked to use us for their pleasures. They even kept some of us for slaves. Sandor, our previous flatmate, had been one of those slaves. The rebels had got hold of her and somehow made her bomb the Perfect government’s compound. They’d actually done us a favour and I wondered if that had been their intention. I doubted it. I was hesitating. My gut told me that destroying this camp would make me as bad as them. They were still Avoidables after all. Rebels were not peaceful warriors like us. They didn’t care if they killed Perfects, they just wanted attention and went the wrong way about it.

  I decided to fly down and talk to Hope. I opened my wings. They were from my dragon ancestry, a deep purple, like my eyes. Although I wore custom made t-shirts that allowed them freedom, most of the time, I had them tucked away into my ridged back.

  I flapped once and started a glide. The rebels were in their tents, everyone except for Hope’s guard. He was asleep on the floor outside. I headed for the back of the tent. It was set away from the others. They’d cleverly put her in a tent at the very back of the camp, furthest away from the entrance. If she’d tried to escape, she wouldn’t have got very far. I landed softly. She knew I was here, I could hear her thoughts. She lifted the back of the tent. I lay on the floor and crawled in, dragging dirt with me. When I got inside, I stood up and opened my arms. She stepped into them and put her head on my chest. I could feel my t-shirt grow wet as I stoked her head. We were silent.

  ‘Don’t speak, Hope, just think,’ I whispered directly into her ear. She stepped back. Her hair was damp and un-brushed and she had dark circles under her eyes. Her pale skin was starting to tan. Her thin frame was smaller. She saw the scowl on my face and patted my arm.

  It’s okay, Purple, they’ve been looking after me. They don’t have a lot themselves.

  I nodded and gestured to the front of the tent.

  He’s harmless, I’m so
glad you didn’t hurt them. They have the same mission as us. They just do it in a different way.

  I grabbed her hair and bent to her ear. The gasp that came out of her sent a shiver over me. I hadn’t meant to be so rough but for a minute there I could swear she liked it.

  ‘Sorry. Why did Leon kidnap you? He’s going to pay,’ I hissed. Hope pushed me. This time it was her face that held the scowl. A small candle burned in the corner. I hadn’t noticed it before, but as we stood looking at each other, the shadows danced on her face.

  Purple, I know you’re only trying to help me, but I think I should stay here. They want me to help. They’re prepared to let me know everything. Unlike you and Artie.

  I swallowed. Hope wanted to stay with the rebels? I did not see that one coming. Artie and I had kept Hope in the dark because we felt the need to protect her. I know this frustrated her but she was an important angel and she was vital to the mission. Deep down, I couldn’t blame her for wanting to leave us but what about her soulmate?

  ‘And Jason…?’ I whispered.

  She shrugged. Her eyes filled and I stepped forward. She put a hand on my chest and shook her head.

  He made his choice. He has to do what he has to do and if that means marrying his fiancé, then so be it. I hold nothing against him. Sometimes in life, we can’t be with the one we love. It’s better to surrender and get on with it. Maybe one day we’ll be together, but until then, I have to stay here.

  I swallowed. She sounded so defeated. I was used to Hope knowing what she wanted. Right now, she seemed confused.

  There was that longing again. Where had it come from? I’d never felt the need to have a soulmate or even a partner. I was happy being on my own, wasn’t I? I’d sometimes slept with women for the sake of it, but had stopped that a while ago. I didn’t need complications like that.

  ‘Okay, I can see you’ve made your mind up,’ I said, turning to leave. Hope grabbed my arm and gave me a hug.

  I’ll see you at the trial.

  I somehow doubted that, but I couldn’t say anything. Hope was a grown woman and it was time I started to let her make her own choices. I crawled back under the tent. Something wasn’t right. I tried to jump up, but something heavy landed on my head. Son of a…

  Chapter Two

  ‘We’ll keep him here…’ said a deep voice nearby. I pulled my eyelids open as I woke up. My hand went to my head and rubbed at the spot they’d hit me.

  ‘Purple, I was worried about you,’ Hope said. She bent down and offered me some water. I was lying in her tent. Leon and Noland were standing by the entrance. Noland was smirking but Leon shook his head.

  ‘I’m surprised, Purple. You’re usually so good at what you do,’ he said.

  ‘Yes, but we did have Deep to help us,’ Noland said. Leon hit the much bigger man on the arm. Noland glanced down as if he’d flicked him. I felt my stomach roll. I’d not seen Deep for five years.

  ‘Who’s Deep?’ Hope asked.

  She was sitting beside me, holding my hand. My eyes kept trying to close again.

  ‘Ask your friend,’ Noland said, laughing.

  She looked at me and raised her eyebrows. I was still trying to process the fact that Deep was still alive.

  ‘Deep is Purple’s brother, Hope, did you not know?’ Leon came over and looked down at me. His gaze was probing. It was quite obvious that Leon was the one in charge. Hope gasped and squeezed my hand. I’d mentioned that I’d had a brother.

  ‘I thought he was dead,’ she said.

  ‘So did I,’ I managed to grumble.

  ‘Nope, he’s alive and well. He could hear your thoughts as he sat outside and guarded Hope last night.’ Leon glanced over at Noland.

  I couldn’t believe my brother was alive. He was three years older than me and had once been my hero. He’d told me about the rebels when I was eighteen, but I’d been too dedicated to my father to be interested. I was going to become a doctor, just like him.

  Deep decided to join the cause and after saying a quick goodbye in the middle of the night, he disappeared. My father had blamed me for not stopping him, so I changed my mind about following in his footsteps and decided to become a warrior instead.

  ‘We need to let Purple rest, he has concussion. Please don’t worry about how we’ll treat you. Hope will tell you that we’ve treated her well.’ Leon stepped back.

  ‘Where is Deep now?’ I asked.

  He scratched his head and then glanced at Hope. ‘I’m sorry, Purple, there’s no way you can see him just yet. When you’re recovered, we’ll talk more.’ He turned and walked out of the tent.

  Noland stood for a moment looking at us. Hope glanced at him and I could have sworn her cheeks went red, but maybe it was just the candlelight.

  ‘We get two for one. This has just become very interesting,’ he said, following Leon.

  ‘Purple, how…?’

  ‘Deep can read minds so he would’ve detected me and covered his thoughts.’ I closed my eyes. I’d never been caught before. It didn’t feel good.

  ‘You told me Deep was dead?’ She stroked my cheek.

  ‘I’ve not heard from him in five years, I assumed he was,’ I replied. I couldn’t fight the pulling sensation, so I turned on my side and let the sleep come. As I drifted off, I felt Hope lay next to me and put her casted arm around my waist.

  I felt warm as the concussion knocked me out.

  Chapter Three

  Considering they lived in the middle of nowhere, with hardly anything, the rebels’ lifestyle was actually really civilised. I’d expected that they would live like cavemen but I was wrong.

  ‘Hello, Purple,’ said a voice behind me. I recognised it instantly and felt my back go rigid. I was sitting around the main campfire. It was unlit and ready to go later tonight. The camp was busy. People were doing their daily chores and eating breakfast. I kept myself facing forward.

  ‘Are you not going to greet your brother?’

  Deep came and stood in front of me. I’d grown to be just as big as he was. He was also tanned but his hair was shaved close and he had stubble. His face was rounder than mine but his jaw was just as strong. His eyes were a lighter purple I noted. Then I stood up and shook my head as he smiled.

  ‘You’ve grown big, brother,’ he said, clasping my shoulder in his thick hand. I found it hard not to smirk at him. We’d always joked that I was the runt and would never grow past five foot. Now, at six foot seven, we were equal. ‘You’ve grown hairier, brother,’ I replied, grasping his shoulder in mine. It was good to see him. We laughed as we embraced, patting each other on the back. This warm reunion wasn’t something I’d been expecting.

  ‘Ah, the women seem to like it,’ he said, winking. He glanced over at Hope who was sitting with two other women. One of them had long flowing brown hair and dark eyes. Her skin was pale and creamy. Her nose was small and her lips were plump but not too big. I tore my gaze from her as the group looked over at us.

  ‘Is she your woman?’ my brother asked as we sat down on the wooden bench.

  I shook my head. ‘No, she’s my best friend. I’ve been protecting her since I found her five years ago.’

  I watched as Noland approached the women and started flirt with them. Hope and the other one were smiling at him although the long-haired one kept glancing over at us. I turned to my brother head on and looked him over again. He wore nothing on his torso, leaving his ridged back on show. The trousers he wore were slung low and made out of leather. He had scars over his muscled chest.

  ‘Where…?’ I pointed at them.

  ‘I got them fighting. I had to prove myself to our first leader when I got here.’ He didn’t elaborate. He was also watching Noland.

  ‘Did you know that Noland worked for Artie?’ I said, not looking back at the group.

  ‘Yes, we sent him to work for Artie.’

  I felt my brow drop. They’d sent one of their own to help us?

  ‘We’re not the bad guys, Purple, we’re all fo
r Artie’s cause. We just feel that he’s not doing quite enough. And maybe he can be a little too friendly with the Perfects.’ My brother looked me in the eye and I saw the truth in his statement.

  Artie had always said that the rebels were harming the cause. He said that if we let them take over, they’d kill the Perfects and ruin any chance of reconciliation.

  ‘But…’ I started.

  ‘Artie told you that we would blow up everyone and let them all die?’ Deep was grinning.

  ‘I’m confused,’ I said. I looked away from my brother and my gaze clashed with the long-haired women. She smiled slightly and then looked away. It wasn’t a flirtatious smile like most of the women I met. It was a curious gesture.

  ‘Everyone in Lower Side believes we’re killers who will do anything just to hurt the Perfects. The truth is, we’re warriors that won’t just sit around and do nothing.’

  ‘We don’t sit around and do nothing either,’ I said, defending the cause. Artie was the official enforcer of the Lower Side.

  ‘No, I know you don’t, but sometimes Artie has his own interests at heart. He used to be one of them and more than anything he wants to be accepted back into the fold. He would drop you all in a moment if they asked him to go and live over there.’ Deep put his hand on my shoulder, forcing me to look at him. ‘Don’t get me wrong, he’s worked hard. That’s how he has got to where he is now. But he’s scared that we’re going to ruin all his hard work and the truth is, the Perfects are still calling the shots, and Artie is just bowing down to them.’

  I thought of the angels and how Artie was technically working with them. I couldn’t tell Deep that though. It would put Hope in danger and who knows what the rebels would say to the actual Perfect government. I smiled at my brother when I realised he was watching me. Since being told that he was here, I’d made sure to throw up my mind defence. It was only a thought, but it kept Deep from hearing them. It was something our father had taught us as kids. We’d fought hard when we couldn’t get out of each other’s heads.