Page 87 of Beyond The Maples
The woman frowns, rubbing her wrists and scooping her grandson onto her lap greedily, despite him being far too big for such a gesture.
"I've been honest about everything," she replies bitterly, exhausted.
"Why does the Council want you three?" I say as quietly as I can, hoping Vera isn't listening at the back.
She sighs, utterly defeated. "I already told you lot, I have no idea. We have nothing of value. Look around."
I nod. She's right, of course. If they'd been a part of any real resistance, they'd at least have some supplies. Weapons. The search of the house had come up empty, and it's clear no one has been using the town for years. That is the beauty of the dust ––easy to tell what things have lain untouched, and what has not.
I sit in the chair her husband had just been in, and lean forward on my hands.
"How long has there been new growth here?" I press, my voice just above a whisper.
She hesitates, glancing down at Parker, her eyes glassy and lips pursed.
"It's hard to know. Things nevertrulydied out here completely... there were always bits and pieces. And in the last few months, we've seen new growth popping up. The closer to the barrier, the more there is," she responds in a hushed tone.
I look at Tarius. His brow furrows like he's trying to catch up. I move to get up, when a soft hand snakes around my wrist.
"Please.They will kill us if we go. No one like us ever goes to The Centre and comes back. We can't help where we live. We don't know anything. At least let Parker go. Or let my husband go with him, and take me." Tears fall from her big tawny eyes, desperation gripping her words.
I want to look away, but I make myself hold her gaze. My chest tightens as I search her face, because I know she's telling the truth. I can hear it in her voice, and see it on her face. They've done nothing wrong. I also know she's right; if they go to The Centre, the chances of them coming out are slim.
The air around me seems to slow and thicken. I always vowed I'd give up my soul ––piece by piece ––if it meant keeping my siblingsalive. If I hand this family over without any resistance, I can't blame the blackened pieces of me on protecting my family.
"Shit," I mutter, running a hand over my face. Marching to the front door, I open it and peer around. Just Farra and Leo. That works.
I grab Farra's arm and pull her close, whispering in her ear. She shakes her head, as if to argue.
"Trust me?" I plead.
She sighs. "Fine. But I'm taking Leo."
I nod. That will have to do.
She darts from the door and goes around to the back of the house with Leo, and I hear chatter.
The back door opens violently, making Hazel jump.
"We're going to check something out. Choser will stay at the back door, Rigby at the front. Treow, you make sure they are packed up and ready by the time we're back. We won't be long," Vera barks, before slamming the door closed again.
Tarius jumps, heading to the front instantly.
I turn around to find the husband, packing slowly now, as if in protest, putting things in a small pack for the kid. I grab the bigger ones that are full and check them over.
"You're going to want to hustle, if you want to get out of here," I say to him. His eyes meet mine, hesitant but hopeful.
I walk over to the little boy, and put my mask around his neck, and secure his pack to his back.
"You guys are going to have to run. I know you have a bad leg, and I'll try to give you as much time as possible, but you need to be fast." I'm tempted to tell them to go through the barrier, to give them a better chance at escape. But I have no clue if they'll get through––if they'll disappear, or turn to dust, or end up like Farra's brother––so I say nothing. I let the fates decide what happens next. It's the best I can do right now.
The woman springs to action, grabbing the other pack and shoving a picture from the top shelf into the boy's pack. Of his parents,I'd guess.
Opening the back door, I grab Berkley and haul him inside.
"You're not going to fight me on this. You're going to come inside, and we are going to let them try to make a break for it."
Berkley looks stunned.
