The first thing that hit me was the smell. Bleach and antiseptic mingled with blood and damp. I’d entered a room a little like a reception with some soft furnishings and people buzzing around a filing cabinet. To my right a separate room was partitioned by a fringe of plastic sheeting. To my left was a door with the name “Dr Woods” engraved into a mahogany plaque fitted to the centre of the door. The plaque was the darkest object in the room with everything else falling somewhere on the spectrum between white and beige.
Ali pulled back the plastic fringe, and I stepped through to feel a blast of chilly air-conditioning hit me in the face. We had stepped into a ward, a very clean and tidy ward, of about ten patients. I’d never been in hospital before. Dad was the one who treated me when I was sick – he hated hospitals. I immediately felt on edge as though something was wrong. Then I realised the strange thing about the ward – over half of the patients were pregnant women.
“Excuse me, nurse,” Ali said to a rotund woman in a blue uniform. “We’re looking fer a young boy about sixteen, blond hair––”
“He’s at the back,” she said, all business with no time for niceties. She picked up a clipboard at the end of a bed and said to the sweaty girl on the bed sheets, “You’re doing really well, Hayley.”
“It hurts,” the girl said with tears running down her cheeks.
I looked in her eyes and saw Emily writhing in pain at school. The memory of that day, along with the note of desperation in Hayley’s voice, made me nauseated. Another image flashed in my mind, poor Emily in labour, crying as she is arrested by the Enforcers.
“Is she in labour?” I said, aghast.
The nurse laughed. “Yes. Oh, dear, you look about to faint! It’s perfectly natural. One day you will go through this, and you will see that it’s nothing to be afraid of.”
I realised then that after leaving Area 14 and escaping the Operation, I still hadn’t thought about the consequences. I gulped. “And they have the baby in this room?”
“No, no. They go through to a private delivery room. We’re short on space, so we have to wait until the last moment. Hayley is a way off yet though.”
I tried to block the thought of labour out of my mind and instead concentrated on Daniel. We were just feet away from him and my heartbeat quickened. I looked around for Angela, but she wasn’t there. I took a few more steps, my eyes skimming over the bed up to his face, looking for something – I didn’t know what – anything to show that he was going to be all right.
“Hey,” he said with a smile.
I reciprocated his smile.
“It’s good to see you,” he said.
My hand rose to my necklace. I felt the bulge under my shirt.
His eyes drifted to Sebastian with a glaze of disappointment. “Good to see you too, Sebastian.”
“I’m glad you’re all right,” Sebastian replied. He turned to me. “I think I’m gonna go… um…”
“Check out yer new digs,” Ali added. “I’ve got just the place fer ye.” He clapped Sebastian on the shoulder and they turned to leave but before they did Ali said to me, “When yer ready to find yer dad he’ll be in the barns behind the crèche training the Freaks.”
“The what?”
He laughed. “Ye’ll see when ye get there, but before that – nip over te Stevie on the market. He’ll sort ye out some brekky.”
“Ok,” I said. “Oh, and Ali.”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for all this.”
“Fer what?”
“Everything. Helping my friends in Area 14. Taking us to the Council.” I wanted to say treating Sebastian like a human being but I left it alone. “I know that none of this will be your real job, and I just wanted you to know that I’m grateful.”
“Yer all right, kid.” Ali cleared his throat and turned away.
I was alone with Daniel, a few nurses and half a dozen pregnant girls. I pulled a chair close to his bed and sat down. “It’s so good to see you, I can’t tell you how…” My cheeks flushed and I stopped myself before everything gushed out. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
“I’ve been worried about you too.”
I laughed. “You’re the one with the life threatening injury.” I touched his arm. “How are you?”
I looked at him, I mean really looked at him, for the first time – he was still pale but there was more blush to his cheeks than I’d seen in days. The pillow was half-filled by his blond hair, a tangled and lovely mess, and his eyes were warmer than usual, the colour of the sea again now that the thunderstorms had passed. He looked almost peaceful – I wasn’t used to seeing him like that. I was so used to his nervous fidgeting or watching him stalk the length of a room.
“You look better,” I said.
“I feel it.” He sighed. “It sounds crazy, but since we’ve got here I just feel so much better. I feel
right
. I know it’s weird, and it doesn’t make any sense, but I feel like I was supposed to find this place and that I… belong here.”
My eyes widened and my grip tightened on Daniel’s arm. “Yes! That’s how I feel too, and I didn’t know how to describe it, but what you just said is exactly it. Since we first arrived I’ve had this strange calm feeling, like everything is clicking into place. It’s like a bond.” It was like how I felt about Daniel, as though there was a thread connecting us together. Well now it was as though that thread had been tied together in a bow with the Clans. I’d found a missing jigsaw piece.
“Have you seen your dad yet?” he searched my face, his eyes full of worry for me. He knew me and he knew how hard it would be for me.
I stared down at my feet.
“Mina, you can’t avoid him forever.” He reached over and placed a hand on mine. The warmth tingled in my fingers. “You want to see him.”
He was right. I did want to see him, but I was scared of facing the man who had abandoned me when I needed him the most.
“You need to hear him out,” Daniel said. “You always said that you would give anything for a second chance with your mum despite how you feel about her leaving you for the Resistance. You have that chance with your dad.”
Tears pricked at my eyes. “I know. It’s just so hard.”
He laughed. “Worse than breaking out of Area 14? The hard part is over. It’s time to make a new life here, and it’s going to be good, I can feel it. Everyone is here, Mina, just waiting to begin again, everyone in your life.” He paused. “Except––”
“Matthew.” My blood froze. “How am I going to tell him about Matthew? His own brother!”
“You’ll find the words.” Daniel squeezed my hand. “You always do the right thing. Well, at least you do when I’m not there to ruin things.”
“You don’t ruin things, Dan––”
He shook his head. “That’s not true. It’s my fault we went to the Slums that night and it’s my fault we broke into Murder-Troll’s house. If it wasn’t for what happened – if I’d just gone home like you told me to then your uncle would have made it out of Area 14. Instead, he was taken away from you just hours after you met.”
I flinched at the memory. It was a painful one. “I could have turned around and left you that night, but I didn’t.”
“Because of me.”
“No. Because I wanted to go in that house just as much as you did. You think you’re the bad one and the one who makes the wrong decisions but trust me – I’d find danger on my own. I’m my mother’s daughter after all.” I sighed. “That’s all in the past now. I want to be different here. Forget the Resistance, let’s just live here, contented and happy until we’re old.”
Daniel’s lopsided grin was back. “You? Forget the Resistance? What’s got into you?”
“I dunno,” I said, surprised by my own feelings. “Maybe it’s the way this place feels. Maybe it’s the drama of getting here.” Maybe it was seeing Daniel hurt and near death.
“I don’t believe you. The Mina Hart I know will be training in martial arts and planning a London invasion at any given moment.” He grinned. “That’s the Mina I know and love.” His expression changed to one of horror, and his cheeks ripened like beetroots. “I mean…”
“Love?” I asked. “You… you––”
“Oh, hi Mina. Did you register with the Council this morning?”
It was Angela with a glass of water for Daniel. I had no idea how she managed to find the most inappropriate times to interrupt me, but it was certainly a talent.
“Umm, yes.”
She stepped past me and handed the water to Daniel. “Good. General Lloyd is a bit scary isn’t he?”
“Umm… yeah… sure.” I jumped up from my chair, dropping Daniel’s hand. “I’ve got to… I’ve got to go find my dad. I’ll see you guys later.” I backed away from the bed, bumping into the nurse. Before I knew it, I was running out of the room. But I didn’t know what I was running away from.
I put my hands on my knees outside the castle gates taking in gulps of air. It was as though everything hit me at once; getting out of Area 14, sleeping in a cramped up tent, climbing the stairs in the castle, the smell of the hospital. I hadn’t eaten for so long that my stomach lurched and I gagged.
“Y’all right, lass?” asked the red haired soldier. I tried to remember his name… Cam.
“Yes,” I said, lying through my teeth and trying to straighten my back to prove a point.
“Nah,” he said. “Ah’ve seen them on tha death bed look better. Sit down. Stick tha head between tha knees, eh.”
“I can’t understand a word you’re saying.” I collapsed to the floor and rested my head against the gate which was open to let troops come and go. Some of them looked down at me and stared.
Cam disappeared leaving me in charge of the gate and hurried back seconds later with a glass of water. “Here, lass.” He passed it to me in a hurry. “Dunnae go shooting yer mouth about me leavin’. The General would have me knackers fer earrings.”
I sipped on the water. “Don’t worry. I don’t think I’d be able to tell anyone anything you say to me.” I laughed, and Cam laughed back. “Where are you from?”
“Glaz-ge.”
“Where?”
Cam laughed again, a long belly laugh that sounded deep and satisfying. “Fe Gad’s sake lass, ah’ll sey it posh fer yers then - GLASGOW.”
I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. “I’m sorry! I’ve never been to Scotland before.”
“Nay kidding,” he chuckled. “Least ah’ve put a smile on yer face though, ey?” He held his hand down to me to help me up. “Ah think ye need some fud in yer belly and a kip.”
“Excuse me?”
“Breakfast and sleep.” He raised his voice with a smile on his face. “Get te Stevie’s. He’ll sort ye out, lass.”
For a boy younger than me he knew how to give orders, but it was in a warm, friendly way. He gave me a cheerful shove towards the markets and I saluted him before giggling again. As I walked away, I forgot all about what I was running from.
*
A spring day in Scotland felt like winter, despite the glow of the sun. I pulled the sleeves of my top down over my hands and hugged myself as I walked into the chilly wind, hurrying past the crèche. I didn’t want to stop and stare like before. I didn’t want those eyes examining me again; the girl from Area 14, the one who brought a GEM. Did they know about my powers? I couldn’t be sure.
I crossed the grass, following the length of the castle border. The army had put up a wall of strong metal sheeting to keep the rest of the Clan population out. It seemed like a strange thing for a community to do, but there was a lot I needed to learn about the Clans before I started to pass judgement on their way of life. I knew what it was like to be judged for doing things differently, and I had to stop myself from being the kind of person that I hated. I kicked a few grass stems in frustration. My thoughts were of a person who sounded strong and confident yet deep down I was a coward. How could I behave like that in front of Daniel? After he had said those beautiful words to me I’d turned and run away like the biggest scaredy-cat around. With a hefty sigh I turned right onto the grass and approached the market.
The stalls lined up along the outskirts of the crèche in parallel with a wide walk-way down the centre. In Area 14 the market stalls were more like carts with stretched plastic in bright, stripy colours pulled over the top as a roof. In the Compound the market stalls were wooden shacks with tarpaulin as the roof. But it was just as colourful and vibrant with stalls of fruit and vegetables, ornaments and bric-a-brac. There were even plastic banners with slogans painted on them; Claire’s Carrots: Will Swap Grain for a lb; Fruit and Veg Stall – No Ornamental Swaps; Junk Shop! Will Swap for Food. I slowed down as I stepped between the stalls, reading all the banners and looking at the goods, people bumping me from either side, the noise of babies crying, the chatter of hagglers, the many young girls clutching the hands of red faced and snotty nosed, toddlers. I caught a scent on the breeze; hot food so salty and delicious it made my mouth-water. Without realising my feet quickened and I followed the enticing smell. When was the last time I ate? I had no idea. At the end of the market I found a caravan parked sideways. The top section of the door was open and Stevie hung out shouting down to the queue of people waiting below. He caught my eye and grinned before disappearing into the caravan to cook the latest order.
When he reappeared and handed down something wrapped in a paper napkin to a girl in her teens clutching a baby to her hip he shouted over to me. “What’ll ye be havin’, Mina?”
“I don’t have anything to swap?” I shouted back. The crowd in front turned and glared at me. I tried to avoid their hostile stares.
“Nay matter,” Stevie said, swiping his arm across the air. There was an angry murmur amongst the crowd of waiting people. “Hey,” Stevie directed at them, “this lass has been through hell and back. Show a bit o’respect and kindness, eh? Mina, lass, I’m gunnae whip ye up one o’my specials.”
I smiled, grateful for both the food and the words, but as he disappeared into his caravan I felt the eyes turn back to me again. The air chilled and I plunged my hands into my pockets hoping that the ground would swallow me whole. Women whispered to each other and I couldn’t help but wonder what they were saying about me. I was the Blemished girl who had never seen babies before, the creepy girl who stared at their children and the one who had brought the GEM to their little haven. Would I ever be accepted? Would I ever fit in?
Stevie re-appeared, and my stomach relaxed with relief and the anticipation of food. “C’mere, lass.”
I made my way through the crowd and took the parcel from Stevie. “Thank you.”
He placed a hand on my arm. “Eat that slowly, now. When was the last time ye ate?”
“I’m not sure,” I replied.
“If ye eat that too quick ye’ll make yeself sick,” he warned.
I thanked him again before walking off to find a quiet place to eat my breakfast. At least there were people here who were kind and generous – Ali, Stevie, Mary and Cam. They were good people. I opened the paper napkin and found a large bread roll stuffed with thick bacon, onions and topped with a fried egg. It was sticky and greasy and downright unhealthy and everything I needed. Holding it tight to keep the filling in I took a gigantic bite. I heeded Stevie’s warning, relishing every mouthful. At the same time I wandered away from the market stalls, enjoying the feel of grass under my feet, the warming sun. It had to be mid-morning now, and the chill on the breeze had waned to something gentler.
I tried to work out the size of the compound from end to end. There was around two acres in front of the castle. On the left of the castle there was a large section for just the farm, which occupied at least another three acres between the castle border and the compound border. On the right of the castle there was less space to the border wall, more like one acre. I’d have to ask Ali if the Compound was the only part of Scotland bordered from England, I’d heard that the army had re-built Hadrian’s Wall when the Fracture began. Some of that lay in England and not Scotland. Or had they built a new border? I chewed on my sandwich. The Compound was small, I knew that much, and as far as I could work out there wasn’t a gate on the other side, leading further into Scotland. So who in Scotland were they keeping out of the Compound? Or were they trying to keep us in?
“Who are you?”
The voice, a boy’s voice, jolted me out of my thoughts and I jumped. When I turned around, I saw a scruffy haired, dark-eyed boy with his arms folded across his chest. His nostrils flared. His eyes examined me like I was a puzzle to work out.
“Salt and Rosemary. You’re a very thoughtful girl.” He waggled his finger at me and inhaled again. “Ugh. Undertones of fermented chillis. You’re a very
angry
girl.” He wafted his hands under his nose, taking in more deep breaths. “Roses. You’re in love. Cut grass. You’re honest. Pepper. You’re confused––”
“What the hell are you doing?” I snapped.
The boy laughed. “I’m scenting your personality.”
I cringed. “You’re mentally deranged.”
He folded his arms again and rocked back on his heels in amusement. “You think I’ve never heard that one before?” His eyes narrowed, fixing on me with ferocity. “You never answered my question and since we’ve already established that you are honest I think you should tell me who you are before I summon the gang.”
“You have a gang?” I raised an eyebrow. His tone was beginning to annoy me, and I felt my finger twitch in anticipation.
“Phew!” The boy clutched at his nose. “You really do have a temper. Moulding chillis.” He shook his head in wonder. “It’s the most disgusting smell, and you reek of it.”
Embarrassed, I sniffed my arm-pit, realising that I hadn’t showered in days. The boy erupted into a fit of scornful laughter.
“You can’t smell it, you idiot. Don’t you understand what I’m saying?” He moved towards me. “I. Can. Smell. Your. Emotions.”
“If you come even an
inch
closer to me I’ll throw you across that field.” I felt blood rise to my cheeks.
He snorted. “What can an itty-bitty girl like––”
The boy never got a chance to finish before the searing power erupted through my mind and I lifted the boy off the ground, dangling him six feet above the ground. He screamed and shrieked and it was my time to laugh.
“What are you doing, you nutter? Put me down! What the hell are you…? Whoaaa… help! A crazy girl is chucking me around… ahhhh!”
I laughed and threw him from side to side like a ball. Using my power had never been this easy. I thought about throwing him across the field, picking out a few painful looking thorn bushes…
“Mina! Put him down this instance.”
I gasped and dropped the boy to the ground. I knew that voice. It was the voice I’d heard a thousand, a million times – before bed, at breakfast, in the kitchen, in the garden, on the swings, in the shops… everywhere. It was my dad.