Aberrant Page 5

  The guard carefully positioned the newborn into the back of the truck inside a special seat, before turning around with his gun drawn on the woman. "You'll go back inside before what happened to your daughter happens to you."

  "You'll kill me?" She laughed hysterically. "Go ahead!" She stepped one foot in front of the other. Not a hint of fear in her eyes. "My husband would if he could. Why shouldn't you be the ones to do it? You made me marry him!" I could hear the scuffle of commotion as they fought over the gun. I couldn't see who had it or who was winning. I doubted there would be any winners today.

  The truck blocked my view as a shot rang out. Blood smeared along the car window, and the mother's body slid down the car and onto the ground into the gutter. I gasped in horror and choked back a sob as I ran further away from the vehicles, the Monospaces and guards. I wanted no part of ever being near a vehicle again.

  "You've seen a car before, right?" Scarlet asked as though it were no big deal. She hadn't noticed the fear on my face, and I certainly didn't expect her to understand the reason. If she was lucky, she’d never lived a day in Genesis. Joshua hadn't known my fear, either. I never found the courage to tell him what I witnessed. "Get in and buckle up. It's not a long drive."

  Joshua glanced over the car. "I've never seen one," he confessed to Scarlet. "We never had the need for them back at home." He turned and stared at me. "You okay?" he asked, looking me over as he helped me into the backseat.

  "Fine." I sighed, buckling myself in. I could hear the latch as Joshua secured his own seatbelt. My body was covered in a sheen of sweat, and I felt sick to my stomach. I didn’t know whether to be grateful or offended he sat up front beside her. As we took off in the open-air vehicle, I quickly decided I was grateful. The bumps jolted me around and my stomach was doing somersaults. I just hoped we wouldn't crash.

  From the backseat, I could barely hear what they said, but she sounded flirty and rather pleased with herself. Joshua smiled and I could see her reach out, resting a hand on his forearm. I wanted to slap the smile off her face. I couldn't move though. It was impossible, considering the fact I was restrained by the safety belt and we were moving across the plains at an astonishing speed. I gripped the backseat, wanting this ride to be over and was hoping we'd arrive soon.

  "Are we there yet?" I screamed into the wind as I felt us make a sharp turn, and we headed as what I could only imagine to be west.

  "Relax, Olivia. I'll get you there in one piece." Her laughter vibrated through the vehicle, and I shuddered at the thought of Joshua smiling and laughing with her. I couldn't see his face from where I was situated, but didn't dare move, either. No. I would not be jealous. I had no reason to be.

  The ride seemed to last forever. It felt longer than the walk through the tunnel but I knew that was unlikely because the sun hadn't yet set.

  CHAPTER 6

  We crested a hill, or what Scarlet explained to us was once called 'The Bluffs.' I didn't ask what that meant – I found myself too tired as my eyes grew heavy. In the distance, I spotted a city. Finally, I could see our destination.

  We drove faster – it hardly seemed possible – whizzing past old buildings, structures that hadn't been tended to in at least five hundred years.

  Approaching the town, barbed wire surrounded the community. What were they trying to keep out? We hadn't seen much on the drive. I saw no signs of civilization during the ride from the underground tunnel. I knew the horrendous stories from school about the Gravelands, but so far, I'd witnessed only miles of nothingness.

  We approached the guards standing tall at the entrance. They opened the gate without so much as us slowing down. Clearly, they knew Scarlet and didn't feel it necessary to wait. I wondered if getting in and out was so easy, or just for her. Who exactly was Scarlet, our escort on the final leg from the tunnel to the rebel alliance? Hastily she made her way through the city. The tallest buildings seemed to reach the sky and tower above the clouds. Eyeing the streets, I couldn’t tell where people lived. Every building looked different. I knew my mouth hung open, but I couldn't help it. "Why the need for such lavish buildings?" I asked staring up at the skyscrapers, my eyes squinting towards the sun.

  "That was built long before Haven was a town," Scarlet explained, "we just try and make the most of the buildings and resources we have."

  "The government doesn't interfere?" I couldn't fathom how they would be left alone. Was it not obvious people were living within the city? Was the barbed wire not evidence enough?

  "There's a mutual understanding between us," Scarlet answered. "We're bugs to them and so long as we don't infect their homes and invade their space, they have no reason to squash us. That's enough for me." She didn't elaborate and I felt as though she was implying I shouldn't ask questions about it. "I know it's different, but you'll get used to it," she called over her shoulder, the wind whipping through the truck. "The city looks big but there's only a few thousand people here. Nothing compared to Torv. Have you heard of that city?" She didn't give either of us time to answer. "I've heard your home in Genesis was much smaller, but you'll find Haven to be home in no time. I'm going to take you to your quarters. You’ll find sleeping arrangements and a place for you both to shower and get cleaned up. After that, the council has plans to meet with you."

  "The council?" I heard Joshua ask, not sounding as though he understood anything more than I did. I felt some relief in his response.

  "Soon enough," she answered, stopping the vehicle in front of a building. They all looked tall to me but this one only reached five stories, and still made me feel incredibly small. I hesitated before stepping out of the truck.

  "How long has Haven been here?" The city felt foreign to me, unnatural.

  "Can't say," Scarlet shrugged, nonchalant, "hundreds of years, I'm pretty sure." She didn't move from the front seat. Joshua stepped out from the truck, grabbed our bags and handed mine to me before he shut the door.

  "Thanks for the ride." He nodded at Scarlet before he reached for my hand, leading me through the heavy, wooden unlocked doors. I didn't say a word as I glanced up at the staircase and balcony just overhead. Intricate designs pasted onto the wall covered the foyer. I couldn't help but stare – I'd never seen anything quite like it. The stairs were a dark oak and the carpet a deep beige, matching the walls.

  "Joshua, Olivia!" I heard a familiar voice and nearly jumped out of my skin seeing his mother, Rebecca, greeting us.

  "Mom?" He was obviously taken aback by her presence. What did that mean back home for my mother? I couldn’t imagine the Governor had released her from prison. How had Rebecca escaped Genesis? Did the officials question her? What about his father? I had so many questions but couldn't find the words against the deafening sound of my heart.

  Rebecca hugged her son tightly in her arms and then pulled me into a quick embrace, offering a warm inviting smile. "I'm glad you're both safe. I won't be here long." Her brown eyes bright. "The council called a meeting and there was no chance I was going to miss it."

  "You're on the council," I remarked as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. I should have known. She was the sole reason I had won my freedom.

  "Yes." His mother nodded, smiling politely at me. "I'll show you both to your rooms on the second floor and you can get cleaned up in the meantime."

  "Rooms?" I asked curiously.

  Rebecca laughed softly. "You didn't very well think your marriage was legal?" She shook her head, her truffle hair falling down her back. "The laws back home don't apply in Haven. We allow our people to choose who they marry. So long as you are living here, you are in separate rooms until you choose a spouse," Rebecca told us.

  Joshua glanced at me for the briefest of seconds before embracing his mother in a hug, "Thank you," he breathed a sigh of relief. "You don't know how happy I am."

  I was appalled. Was he actually thanking her for not having to remain married to me? Was I that terrible a choice to be with? Is that why he left Genesis? "We can marry so
meone else?" I asked, refusing to look at Joshua.

  Rebecca nodded faintly. "It is your choice to make." She told her son, reaching for his arm giving it a squeeze. "To marry no one at all or marry someone different entirely. In fact, we encourage you to go out and meet the other members of our town, Haven. We want you to adapt to society, fit in wherever possible."

  I didn't quite understand what that meant. I knew they expected us to live here indefinitely, but I wanted my life to be with Joshua. I felt burned, in the worst way possible. Yes, Rebecca had rescued me from prison, but for what reason? What motivated her? I wanted to think she had been entirely selfless when Joshua had told her the news, but the pit of my stomach told me otherwise.

  Rebecca led the way up the staircase and to the second floor. Rows of rooms lined the hall, and I couldn't help but wonder if this was some sort of dormitory, and if so who else lived here.

  There were so many levels but the staircase only seemed to take us to the second floor. "How do people get upstairs?" I asked gesturing towards the ceiling. I'd seen the windows for several more floors.

  Rebecca smiled warmly, "the elevator, dear. It's in the back of the foyer but there's no need for either of you to use it."

  "Elevator?" I repeated curiously. I'd never heard such a word before.

  "It's similar to a car," Rebecca elaborated, "you ride it from one floor to the next." I tried to imagine such a device, like the car Scarlet had driven us in on, located within the building that would ride you from floor to floor. It would have to be vertical which only made me laugh. Rebecca shot me a peculiar look. "What's so funny, dear?"

  "How do you not fall out?" I asked, curious.

  Rebecca rolled her eyes, not answering my question. "You will each have your own private suite. I had to pull some strings," She informed us proudly, "But I know you will both be pleased with the arrangements."

  "Thanks, Mom," Joshua nodded. I didn't say a word. What could I say to express my gratitude and also discomfort with the present situation? I felt bitter in this new home – it wasn’t the life I wanted or wished for. Maybe I didn’t agree with the government, but I had played by their rules, mostly. It wasn’t fair, being tossed into prison and forced on the run. I just wanted to be left alone. I reached for my door, turned the handle and pushed it open. I didn't look back and didn't say anything to either of them. I dropped my pack on the floor inside my room and shut the door abruptly.

  I headed for the dresser, finding brightly colored and patterned blouses and skirts. I'd never seen so many colors of fabric before. Next, I opened the closet, curious what else may be waiting and was shocked to see a dozen or so dresses and several pairs of shoes. My fingers moved along the material, feeling each with curiosity. I paused, glancing at a rich blue dress and pulled it from the closet. When I stepped inside the bathroom, my mouth dropped at the oversized tub and glass shower stall. They were both huge! The bathroom was practically its own room in size. At home we had a shower, but it was timed and at a specific temperature. We had exactly three minutes to get clean three times a week. The water shortage had made things difficult at times, and the government considered showering daily a waste. However, they frowned upon showering less than that as well. Then you smelled like Levi Keller.

  Turning the shower on, I jumped at the freezing cold temperature and played with the dials jumping away again when my hands nearly got scalded. I stripped out of my grimy clothes and stepped beneath the spray. It felt good to get clean, and I turned the water warmer than it would be back home, feeling my body relax under the spray. I didn't pay attention to how long I'd been standing there and realized the water hadn't shut off on me. What a luxury! I found some soap and finished cleaning before shutting off the shower. It took a good two minutes to figure out how to do that. I wasn't used to so many buttons and knobs. With time, I'd figure it out.

  Drying off, I wrapped a large fluffy towel around my body. I couldn't help but wonder where such luxuries came from. Were they trying to show us the good side of the rebellion to make us want to join forces? Did they expect us to fight with them? I wasn’t ready for a fight. I had no training and doubted I could shoot a gun and hit a target if my life depended on it. Besides, I imagined myself capable of other jobs aside from joining their militia in Haven. I dried myself off and slipped on the dress I'd found in the closet. It was beautiful, soft and flowing down to my toes. I found a brush by the sink and worked the knots out of my hair. Staring at my reflection I wondered if I was the same girl days ago. I hardly looked like the girl I knew. I hardly felt like her, either. On the counter, sat an array of brightly colored trays and compacts. I had no idea what they were and left them untouched.

  I grabbed the filthy dress that had been white just yesterday morning and tossed it into the trashcan in the corner of the bathroom, never wanting to see it again. It was a small act of rebellion. I would not let them control my identity or my future.

  With a fresh start, I headed into my room and grabbed the pack, digging out my father's journal. I wanted to know what my father could have written about in such secret. I opened the first page of the journal, seeing his handwriting and immediately felt a rush of nausea spread through me. I hadn’t seen my father in more than ten years and here was his writing. It saddened me that I hadn't found his journal. I was grateful Joshua had given it to me, but I still found it hard to come to terms with. Quietly, I read the pages, trying to understand what my father had felt, what he experienced.

  Yesterday, I met my wife for the first time. I should be overzealous with joy at her beauty, but all I can do is despise the government for deciding we must be together. This is not the life I want or wish for. Children should not be won, but born from love. Tomorrow I will begin my new job. I've already gotten wind that I will be a writer for 'The Genesis Times'. Little do they know I was once a rebel journalist. I have not and will not ever give up what we fight for. Our country was born on certain liberties. The men and women of our newfound land have no knowledge of such things. The victors wrote our so-called history, these lies told to the children of our society. I know my time will be limited, but I must fight for the resistance. I must make a difference. Leaving is not an option. Not now, not yet until change has been made.

  My eyes read over his words, and I paused, realizing he must have been eighteen when he made his first journal entry, when he had accepted the marriage ceremony as I had yesterday. I always thought my parents cared for one another, even if the government had decided upon their union. Love, though, was a word hardly ever spoken in Genesis. I turned the page, reading another entry from a few years later. I wondered what had happened in that time to make him stop writing. Had he worried about getting caught, of facing the government and being tried for treason? I couldn’t blame him, especially after having spent a few hours in prison. Saying it wasn’t pleasant was an understatement.

  I don't know how it happened. They say women can't conceive, at least not naturally. But Samantha is pregnant. She hasn't won the lottery, and I know we have limited options. It will be our first child, so the government won't demand us to give up our baby. At least I hope not. All I can think is that the government will want to hide the knowledge that the baby was born naturally. I can only hope Samantha will have a daughter, or else everything will be discovered. If we are lucky enough for a girl, I'm unsure how safe she will ever be in this city. If I take her from these walls, we can expect so much chaos and violence. I fear for her life. I see no solution in sight.

  I fell back against the mattress, staring up at the ceiling as I held the journal against my chest. It wasn't easy reading the words from a man I missed and loved greatly. Sighing, a huge burden of sadness coursed through me as I felt what he must have when they'd learned of my mother’s pregnancy. With a heavy heart, I turned the page again and continued reading another entry of the journal.

  I don't know how I'll ever repay those who have promised to help us. I will owe them a dangerous amount of debt. I fear what this fa
vor will amount to. Samantha will win the lottery this month. I can only hope all will be okay. Samantha is incredibly nervous we will get caught. I've assured her I've taken all the necessary precautions. The doctor has insisted that should the government find out she became pregnant naturally, they will insist on terminating the pregnancy – something unheard of for at least one hundred years. It has been at least that long since women could carry children without assistance. We're unsure how she was able to conceive, and the doctors tell us we must pray for a girl or our secret will be exposed. I do worry what this will mean if we bring a daughter into this world, but I will deal with that and protect her when she comes of age. I will put my life on the line for her when the time comes.

  My heart constricted and my eyes welled with tears. He never did get the chance to tell me the truth, and my mother had decided to keep it from me until the government threw me into prison for a crime I did not commit.

  I jumped from the mattress when I heard a knock at the door. “Olivia?” A female voice called from the other side.

  “Just a sec!” I answered, shutting the journal and glanced quickly around the room. I needed to hide it. I didn’t trust those in Haven, and couldn’t risk them discovering my father’s journal. I wasn’t sure what it would mean to the rebel alliance. I rushed toward the dresser, maneuvering it behind the wooden furniture. It wasn't the safest place, but it was the only place I could think of that wouldn't be obvious.

  I walked to the door and opened it to see a bright eyed, red-haired girl a few years younger than me. "It's time to meet the council," she informed me with a cheery grin.

  "What about Joshua?" I asked, noticing she led me away from his room and down the hall. I glanced back and wondered why he didn’t join us.