The Thirteenth (36 page)

She moved to the bed area and, sitting down for a moment, took in her new surroundings, trying to comprehend what was happening. She felt it would be better to simply accept what was going on without question. To think too much about any of it would surely drive her insane. She was going to need a very long time to come to terms with everything that had happened to her.

The silence was broken by insistent knocking. Val froze, realising instantly that it was coming from the door to Alchany. When it didn’t stop, she stood up and walked cautiously to the door. What if this was one of Excariot’s friends popping in for a visit? She pulled out her sword, then slowly opened the door.

“Don’t point that thing at me, girl!” A very small woman pushed Val’s sword to one side, completely unaffected by the sparks flashing from it.

“Sorry,” Val said as she walked backwards into the room.

“Twenty-three Thirteen you made a pick-up call. I’m the collector.” The woman pulled out a sheet of paper.

“Well, I did it by mistake. I’m sorry.” Val sat back down on the bed.

The woman became very agitated.

“Let’s get something straight, Twenty-three Thirteen, crossing dimensions is easy, filling in the paperwork takes all my life force. I will have to tell them why you called me out under false pretences and then fill in a fifty-seven thirty. Do you have any idea how long that takes?” She poked Val in the chest.

“I’m sorry,” Val shrugged and thought how much the woman’s little finger had hurt her.

“You guards are always sorry. So much for perfect DNA.”

“You can call me Val if you like. That’s my name.” Val smiled trying to help the woman warm to her.

“So Val, are you ever going to make a call again when you don’t have a prisoner for me?” the woman said in a highly patronising voice.

“No.” Val put her head down.

“Listen, I know you are new to this and the only female guard that has ever existed, so you are going to get it hard. I know your story and I do feel for you, but you have to start getting things right. The warden will be on your back if you don’t.” The little woman’s face had softened and Val appreciated her words.

“If it helps, I really am sorry,” Val said.

“Not unless sorry fills in the forms for an unauthorised call out, no,” the woman responded, “it doesn’t help.”

“Why didn’t anyone come through the door before now and catch Excariot?” Val asked.

“Excariot had the door shut. We can only cross through dimensions when doors are open. We can knock, but if no one answers then we can’t help you.” The woman turned and started to walk towards the door.

“Will I see you again?” Val needed as many familiar faces as possible right now.

“Yes, I’m your designated collector. If anyone else comes though without prior warning from the warden, then you need to exterminate them on sight.” The woman walked through the door and closed it behind her.

Val was tempted to open the door so she could see the woman again, but she thought she’d better not get into any more trouble that day.

After a few minutes alone, Val realised that she had one more thing she needed to do. She stood up, making her way to the apartment stairs and switched off the light. She made her way out locking the door behind her and left the bookshop.

The sun was rising and the air felt cold and fresh. She made her way past Shane’s shop and crossed the road to the bus stop. As she sat at the stop, the familiarity felt good. The bus arrived in good time, there was hardly any traffic, just the commuters who had to be somewhere at crazy o’clock to please a boss who probably didn’t appreciate them. At least their boss couldn’t remove their souls from their bodies Val thought.

She walked briskly and in a few minutes she was standing outside her house. The lights were on downstairs. Val knew her dad would be getting ready for work and her mum would be cooking him some huge breakfast. She ran across the road to get a better look. Crouching down under the lounge window, she peeked in. Her dad was sitting at the table with a book in his hand. Then her mum appeared and Val felt a stinging behind her eyes that was almost too painful to bear.

“Hello,” a voice came from behind her. Val’s heart nearly stopped beating. She slowly turned, expecting to see a police officer or something similar, but it was just the lad who dropped off the newspaper.

“Hi,” Val responded, trying not to look too much like a stalker.

“You know the Saunders?” he asked.

“Why?” Val was cautious; this boy could be an alien for all she knew.

“Because you are looking in their window at six in the morning,” the lad responded, throwing the paper onto the front step. He turned and rode away. Val slipped to the door and picked up the paper. The Independent. It was her dad’s favourite and her mum said that at least it burned well. Val was holding it as the front door opened and there stood Susan.

“Hello there, do we have a new newspaper girl?” Susan smiled at Val.

“Yes, here you go.” Val handed her mother the paper.

“Thank you, you know The Independent is the best one to burn.” Susan smiled tapping the paper on her hand, then turned away and shut the door. Val stood breathing in her mother’s scent for as long as it lasted. Her mum hadn’t even recognised her. Val felt sure that they were safe, but was heartbroken that she would never see them again. She couldn’t take any risks because she didn’t know who was going to be watching her and when. She didn’t know how long it would take for her to find the criminals, or if she would survive in one piece, but at least she could be sure that her parents were not going to be Excariot’s bargaining chips.

Val made her way solemnly back to the shop. As she arrived she noticed something different about the place. Above the door the plaque no longer had Wallace’s name on it. It now said ‘Established by Valerie Saunders’. She placed her finger on the surname and stroked it.

This was it; it was time to grow up. Val knew that Excariot was coming. He was going to do anything in his power to finish her and get Lailah back. Val was going to fight him every step of the way, but now she needed to sleep.

She opened the door to the shop and noticed that the alarm wasn’t counting down. Val made her way over to the box on the wall where the words “New Code” were flashing at her.

Val knew exactly what she was going to put in and she spoke the numbers as she pressed. “Twenty-three, Thirteen, enter.”

Special acknowledgment goes to: Michelle & Katie Potter for all their help and support. The Albion Tea Room in Market Rasen for endless hot chocolates to keep me going. Rand Farm Park, near Wragby for free hands to work while children play. North Kesteven Fencing Club, for all their help and advice. And finally to all my family and friends past and present, who have made me who I am today, Thanks.