Escape from Eden (Original Series book 2) (20 page)

H
er hair is
long and straight. And shiny. I've never seen her dark hair so shiny before. Her outfit is also unlike anything I've seen her wear. Her shirt isn't really a shirt, but more of a strip of satiny material that crosses over her chest and connects in the back. Then there's her tight leather pants. If it weren't for her distinctive high cheekbones and her large eyes, I wouldn't have believed it was my mother.

She doesn’t even look thirty-seven; she looks to be in her early twenties. Either she has amazing genetics, or she’s using a special crème that makes you appear younger. I remember her talking about it sometimes when I was little, and how great it would be to have some, but it hadn't been manufactured for decades—not since Primes began dying early. There was no need for it.

My mother dances not far away from me, her body pressed against a Prime. I duck behind my current dance partner. It is difficult to keep dancing, to keep pretending, when all I want to do is run to her. Why is she a part of this? They must be forcing her, just like Stella said. She is beautiful for an Original. My stomach turns sour when I think of the things they probably have her do. I
need
to save her.

Some time passes. I can't stop staring at her, my mother who appears to be having the time of her life, laughing and smiling and touching and kissing, but it's all an act. This would be hell for me, and surely it is for her too. Only when I feel a hand grab my backside do I become suddenly aware of everything else.

The meathead I'd danced with earlier is trying to force me closer to him. Even though his teeth are perfectly shaped and shiny white, his breath permeates the air with a foul odor that contradicts everything about him.

I shove him away and attempt to dodge his next advance, but he only grabs on tighter and presses himself to me. I want to cry out, but I can't draw any attention to myself. Instead of doing what I really want to do, which is to smash my palm straight up into his nose, I grab onto him just as roughly. His eyes widen with surprise, and a sly smile spreads across his face. He leans in to kiss me. I let him.

His lips are tight and cold. I try not to think about it too much. What I do focus on, however, is where my hands are, which is quickly and lightly searching through every one of his accessible pockets. On the third one, I feel something thin and small and smooth. The large Prime pulls away just as I slide it from his pocket. I risk a quick glance. It's a security badge.

I'm about to dive into the crowd away from him, when all of a sudden the music screeches to a stop. There's a collective groan from everyone around me. Someone yells to turn it back on, followed by several more protests. A few others begin to walk away. I move to join them when I'm shoved aside by two guards in uniform pushing their way through the crowd. They stop when they reach my mother. I turn my head to the side, mindful to keep my face hidden behind my hair, and strain to hear what they say.

"We have a situation you need to deal with," the taller one says.

My mother lets out an annoyed sigh. "What is it this time?"

"There is another Original loose."

"Then go find it," she snaps. "I don't deal with things outside of the wall."

The two Primes glance at each other before the one with all-white hair says, "We believe the Original has snuck into Enfield, not out."

This startles my mother, and her eyebrows draw together. "But who would do that? Nobody tries to get in here. The notion is ridiculous."

"Nevertheless," the tall one says, "we found evidence to the contrary. You need to get this figured out and fast. Ebony has already sent the Inquisitors to question the Original we found earlier. They will be here in a few hours, and if they don't like what they hear, well…" He shrugs. "It's not going to be pretty for you."

The group around us has slowly begun to dissipate. Before I'm spotted, I take a few steps back behind a tree where I can still see and hear what's going on.

The soft lines on my mother's face turn hard and cruel. "Don't worry. I'll get to the bottom of this." She searches the thinning crowd. "Someone will know something."

"Just get it taken care of," the Prime says, then walks away.

My mother stays where she is, scowling after him. Her expression, clothing and demeanor are nothing like I remember. She must've had to endure so much on top of all the brain washing. I'm half tempted to step out into the open and say that her suffering is almost over, but my beating heart keeps me grounded. I really should be getting back to Link. I squeeze the badge in my hand.

"Hey!" my mother's voice yells.

My blood turns cold, and I'm afraid I've been seen.

"Get Ape," she says. "Tell him to meet me at the Towers in ten minutes. And tell him to bring the straps."

I risk a glance around the side of the tree. She is speaking to a woman several feet away. The woman nods her head and sprints into the darkness.

My mother growls and turns on her heel. I lean my head against the tree and blow air out my puckered lips. Most everyone has left, and those who are still behind are too inebriated to find their way off the Green. I leave my hiding spot and cross the park. As soon as I am alone, I check the time on my wristpad.

I hurry back to security, but not too fast. There are a lot more guards out in the open. Only a few of them walk side by side. No one says anything to me as I pass; I don't speak either. This is one time I'm glad Primes aren’t communicative.

The two women Speeders are still camped out in front of the Security building, and I bet there are more inside. After making sure no one is around, I climb up the fence again using the same cloth I used earlier to cross the barbed wire. As soon as I'm back at the door, I retrieve my backpack from the shadows and remove the Taser in case I run into any trouble.

The security card feels cold in my hand. I say a silent prayer, then slide the card through the box. It buzzes. I jerk open the door and breathe a sigh of relief before I slip inside.

The lights are dimmed inside the building with only every third one turned on. A gray hallway stretches ahead then turns at the end. There are no cameras I can see.

Having no other choice, I walk down the hall pretending I'm supposed to be there. I don't hear any voices, but that doesn't surprise me. It's almost four in the morning, and I'm in a building with people who only talk to each other when they want something. As long as I stay under the radar, no one will want anything from me.

I stop at the corner and casually peek out. Just up ahead is a stairway. I sneak up the stairs, but hurry and duck. Not far away, a Prime stands against the wall, his head leaning into it. His eyes are closed, as if he's sleeping. I risk a glance again. He's standing next to a door. This might be where they’re keeping Link.

I inhale deeply several times, trying to work up some courage. If I don't move quickly, I may not have another chance, and the last thing I need right now are more deaths, especially Link’s.

I come out of the stairway and move toward the man, mindful of my steps and the Taser firmly in my grip. He's much taller than me, with black spiked hair at least three inches high. I need to see his eyes to know what species I'm dealing with, but as I draw closer, I realize he has ear buds in his ears. He must be listening to music and that's why he hasn't opened his eyes yet. I almost giggle. This will be too easy.

I rush toward him and am about to jab the Taser into his abdomen when his eyelids fly open, shining a deep red. I nearly drop the weapon in my hand, but instead quickly move it behind my back. He's a Raid and can drop me with a single punch. I'm so dead.

He looks me up and down and removes the earpiece from his ear. I hope he doesn't notice the sweat on my brow.

"Is it morning already?" his deep voice asks.

I gulp and say, "Yup. The Inquisitors just arrived. They will be here soon."

He seems to accept my answer.

"I need to see the prisoner," I say, trying to keep my voice even.

The Raid glances over his shoulder to a narrow window behind him. "Go ahead, take a peek."

After moving the Taser to my other hand, the one he can't see, I take a step toward him hoping he will stay where he is, but he moves away from me.
Stupid Primes and their aversion to closeness.
My jaw clenches tight.

I peer through the small window. Link is shackled to a chair, his head slumped forward. There's blood covering his right shoulder. In one deep breath, my racing pulse slows to a steady beat. My free hand curls into a fist. I'm no longer fearful, but angry.

I turn to the Raid. "Open the door."

"I can't do that."

"I'll have you know that Ebony asked me specifically to come speak with this Original. We believe he has information about William Radkey. Now open this door."

He straightens and towers over me, close but still not close enough for me to tase him before he can stop me.

"Not until I see an Inquisitor," he says.

"You buffoon!" I sneer, trying to sound as nasty as possible. "You're wasting time!"

His face goes red, and his left eye twitches. "What did you call me?"

I stand as tall as I can. "You heard me. You are ridiculous! If I have my way, you'll never work here again."

He takes one giant step toward me. "I don't care if you are a girl, no one talks to me like that."

Before he can take hold of me, I jab the Taser into his gut, my thumb pressing the trigger. His whole body convulses, and he slumps to the floor unconscious.

I kick at his leg. "And I don't care if you are a Prime. Nobody hurts my friends." I bend over and rip his security card off a clip on his belt, then scan it into the pad next to Link's door.

As soon as the door opens, I rush to Link and take his head in my hands. I expect to see his face bruised and bloody, but it is neither. I press a palm to my stomach, tension draining from me. However, it returns just as quickly when I notice a deep slice on his shoulder. He moans beneath my touch. He must still be recovering from whatever they gave him.

I pat his cheek, tears stinging my eyes. "Wake up, Link. Come on. Open your eyes. I need you!"

He moans again, but gives me nothing else.

I quickly undo his straps while still talking to him. At one point he opens his eyes, but closes them again.

"Please don't make this difficult." I walk to the door to check on the guard. He's still sound asleep. Not far away, I spot a bathroom. I duck across the hall and find a vase of flowers on the back of the toilet. I trash the flowers and fill the vase with the coldest water I can get.

Back in the room, I press Link's head against the chair. "Last chance, buddy. Open your eyes."

His mouth falls open to inhale a deeper, sleepier breath.

I toss the full vase of water into his face. His eyes open wide, and he gasps for air.

"Don't you dare close those eyes again," I warn, "or next time it will be worse."

Link looks at me, blinks a few times, then frowns. "Where am I?"

"In Enfield. They captured you, remember?"

He groans and rubs a spot on his thigh. "That's right. I missed that last dart." He pauses. "What are you doing here?"

"What do you think I'm doing here? Did you really think I would stay behind?" I reach into my backpack.

"No, I guess not. So what now?"

"You clean yourself up, so we can finish the mission. What happened to your shoulder?"

"My own stupidity. It's not bad." He pushes up on the chair, but it takes him several seconds to gain his balance.

I place my hand on his side to help steady him. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'll manage."

I squeeze his arm and stare up at him, my heart heavy. "I wish there was another way."

"We've got this." He smiles, which makes me smile.

"Try and keep that tear hidden." I sniff, brushing at the torn material on his shoulder. "You don't want to draw any attention to yourself."

"Thanks," he says, meeting my gaze.

We stare at each other for a few long seconds, both of us frightened by what we need to do next. I hand him the Taser I took from his bag, the com device, and Ebony's security badge so he can shut off the electrical field,. "You're going to need these."

"Aren't you coming with me?"

"I'll help you get into the building, but then I have to go. I found my mother."

"That's great! Is she okay?"

"I don't think so, but I'll help her." I touch his cheek lightly. "I'm glad they didn't mess up your face. It would've been hard to explain to the other guards."

"Not to mention scoring a chick." He winks at me, then grimaces. "Whatever they knocked me out with sure gave me a headache."

"It will all be over soon."

I duck out the door ahead of him and hurry back the way I came. Outside, I'm discouraged to find the night sky not so dark. We're almost out of time. Soon this place will be crawling with fully alert guards.

After I re-shoulder my backpack, we climb over the fence and walk alongside the rear of the buildings trying to appear normal, but hurrying just the same. We don't see anyone else, but that doesn't mean no one can see us. There are plenty of windows all around, and darkness is no longer our friend.

"Would it be better if we waited until tonight?" Link asks. "It's getting light."

"We should be okay. Most of the guards are out searching the grounds for an Original they think snuck in."

"Did you get tagged too?" He frowns.

"Just barely, as I was going over the wall."

I stop moving at the opening of an alley and point to a building across the street. "It's that one right there. Get to the basement."

"I remember. Don't worry. I'll shut off security." Link looks away from me and toward the building. "No one's out front. I think I can handle this. Why don't you go find your mother?"

I stare at the entrance, focusing on the darkened glass windows. Anyone could be on the other side. I don't dare leave Link to find out on his own.

"Circle around to the back of the building," I say. "I'm going to draw some guards out. You get them from behind."