The Vanished Page 7

  Mary was upon us with just a few long strides, she walked with the kind of confidence which swung her hips with swagger. Even when stationary she exuded something like a powerful nonchalance. She hooked her fingers into her belt loops and jerked a chin at me.

  “Yer dad around, lass?”

  I nodded. “He’s on the platform upstairs, meditating with Hiro.”

  Her face brightened a little at the sound of Hiro’s name. It seemed that the little boy had a fan club and I wasn’t surprised. I’d been pretty enamoured with him since the first time we met.

  “I’ll pop up and have a wee chat with ‘im then, eh.” She smiled, and her face crinkled at the corners of her mouth and eyes. “You doin’ ok, lass?”

  “Sure,” I said.

  She tapped me on the shoulder with the palm of her hand. “Ye know where I am.”

  The three of us watched Mary walk away with her thumbs still pushed low into the belt loops of her trousers. I noticed that as soon as her back was turned Kitty and Mike’s fingers found each other again.

  “I can’t believe she caught us,” Kitty whispered.

  “Why? She’s not the boss of you,” I said.

  Kitty frowned. “You don’t understand. She looked after us when we first arrived.”

  “Gave us food and clothes…” Mike said.

  “… a place to live,” Kitty finished. “She’s like a mum to us.”

  “And we don’t want to let her down.”

  “You two are scary,” I said with a laugh. “But what do you think she’s here for? Do you think it’s because of Sebastian’s fight this morning?”

  “Could be,” Kitty replied. She was already bored with standing still and started dancing around the punch-bag instead.

  “What fight?” Mike asked.

  “Oh there was a fight this morning,” Kitty said, punching the bag now. “Mina broke it up with her super-power. There was a crowd and everything.”

  “Nice one, telekinesis.” He rolled his eyes. “Do you know what the one thing is that all these people hate more than us?”

  “No,” I said.

  “What we can do. They hate being reminded of the fact that we are total Freaks!” He pulled at his messy black hair. “Great, they are going to hate us even more now. Ugh! Old socks.”

  “Excuse me?” I said.

  “Your guilt reeks of old socks.” He backed away, picking up a sword to swing in a different corner of the room.

  “How do you two cope with your powers?” I said to Kitty. “He must smell you, and you taste him? Isn’t that weird.”

  “Nah,” she replied, still hitting the punch-bag. “Part of the power is that we aren’t good transmitters. I just get a hint of Mike and him the same for me. You want a cup of tea?”

  “Okay.” I shrugged. Kitty liked her tea, not that she needed any extra caffeine, and it was one of the things I liked about living with her. We moved over to the little campfire that we had to keep alive to boil water and heat tins of beans.

  “Can I ask you a question, Mina?” Kitty dunked the kettle into a bucket of water we kept in the barn.

  “Yeah, of course you can.”

  “Do you know why your dad wants us to learn how to fight? Don’t you think it’s weird?” She leaned in closer to me, too close as always. “He turned up a month ago and told us he was the one who had brought us together. Then he said that we have to learn how to control our powers, which we didn’t think was strange. We started on the barn and painted it, and you arrived. And then all of a sudden we’re learning martial arts and practicing with swords. Don’t you think that’s weird?”

  I didn’t because it was all I’d known from my dad, but perhaps now was the time to question his motives. “He always told me that martial arts helped to teach me the discipline to control my power. It was dangerous when we were in Area 14. There was always a chance that I could get found out. But I don’t understand why we need to fight here. Things are safer here, aren’t they?”

  Kitty’s eyes widened, and I could tell that she was about to share some gossip. “Well, there is something which has been spreading round the Compound. It’s something big and kinda scary.”

  “What is it?” I asked, now hooked.

  Kitty opened her mouth to tell me but was interrupted by another visitor. Dr Woods entered the barn, the coattails of his white medical jacket floating behind him.

  “Tell me later,” I whispered. If Dr Woods had something to say about Sebastian I wanted to be there to hear it. “Are you looking for my dad?”

  His eyes, which had been travelling around the barn, taking in the set-up of punch bags and swords, found me and held my focus. “Thank you, Mina. I would like a word with the Professor if he is around.”

  “I’m here, Stephen,” Dad called as he descended the stairs from the top platform of the barn. Hiro and Mary followed behind.

  Stephen? I thought to myself. Since when did Dad end up on first name terms with the members of the Council? Mary I could understand – she helped him to look after the children he sent to the Compound – but Dr Woods? They’d known each other a few short weeks.

  “What is it that you wanted to talk about?” Dad asked with an easy smile.

  Mike appeared next to Kitty. His nostrils flared and I wondered what scent he’d picked up. Hiro stood half behind Mary’s legs with his hands clamped over his ears. I wanted to pick him up and hold him. He looked so small and helpless.

  “I have good news,” Dr Woods said, he opened his arms as he spoke, as though he wanted to embrace us all. “I’ve had words with the rest of the Council.” His eyes flitted to Mary for just a second, whose expression suggested that she had been left out of this Council discussion. “We’ve decided that because of the recent intake of residents to the Compound we need an event to bring the community together.”

  “What kinda event is this, Stephen? I dunnae remember any of ye consulting me,” Mary said. Her eyes were two cold beads and I shuddered at the thought of crossing her.

  “I do apologise, Mary,” the doctor continued. “I think you were out on business at the time––”

  “And it couldnae waited til I was back, eh?” Mary folded her arms.

  “––but nevertheless, the important news I have to tell you all is that the Compound is going to hold a summer fete which welcomes newcomers like Mina, Angela and Daniel––”

  “What about Sebastian?” I interrupted.

  “And Sebastian,” he said between gritted teeth. “It will be held as soon as possible and we need to start with the preparations.”

  “That sounds splendid,” Dad said. “The children here would be glad to help you.”

  “Well, that is good news, and I’ll pass it on. There is going to be an announcement tomorrow. Mary, would you be interested in taking part in the announcement?” Dr Woods said.

  “Damn right I would,” Mary replied.

  Dr Woods clapped his hands together. “Oh, and one more thing! Something I think you will be interested in, Mina. Daniel is now ready to come out of hospital.”

  My stomach did a backflip. “When?”

  “Now, if you want,” he smiled at me, revealing a set of perfect white teeth.

  “Yes, now.” My hands went clammy with anticipation.

  “After training,” Dad chipped in. I glared at him.

  “At the end of the day then,” Dr Woods said. That smile widened once more before he left. Mary stomped after him.

  “Were we making a pot of tea?” Dad went back to the kettle over the fire, helping Kitty with the tea.

  Hiro and Mike gathered around me. They both looked troubled and their eyes followed Dr Woods as he left the barn.

  “I don’t like that man,” Hiro said.

  “Me neither,” Mike added. “He smells rotten.”

  13

  “He says the alphabet over and over in his mind,” Hiro told us. “It’s like he doesn’t want me to know what’s in his head.”

  “Maybe he’s
just private. Having someone reading your mind is pretty unnerving,” I said.

  “Yeah but he has this dank, mouldy scent to him,” Mike whispered. “It’s like a house with a rotten basement, as though there’s something festering deep down inside. I don’t trust him and I never have.”

  “Has he always smelled like that?” I asked.

  “When I first moved here I didn’t notice it. He tends to avoid us. In fact it was strange him coming here at all. Maybe it was just to check out the set up we’ve got going on, or to spy on our powers.” Mike shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans.

  “He saw me use mine this morning,” I added.

  “That could have gotten his imagination going. I bet he decided to come and inspect us.” Mike’s eyes glazed over as though he was talking to himself.

  “Time for meditation, Mina.” Dad waved his hand to call me over. When I reached him, he handed me a cup of tea. The porcelain was hot, almost burning my palm. “Drink this, it will help you concentrate.

  The thought of concentrating seemed laughable. How could I think about anything other than what I’d just heard? I was starting to think that Dr Woods wasn’t the sort of person who should be at the head of the Council. So much for settling into an easy life.

  *

  The rest of the day dragged on, and despite knowing how keen I was to see Daniel, my dad still made me train until it was almost sun down, telling me that I had to learn to focus on my powers if I wanted to succeed at anything. He thought me having a boyfriend was distracting and didn’t mind telling me so. I wanted to remind him that the distraction in my life was there for me when I needed him, which was more than my dad had been. But as always I kept my mouth shut and got on with things.

  After training I hurried towards the castle gates, waving at Cam, who always seemed to be on guard. He was such a slip of a boy I wondered how much use he would be if there was an invasion. The Compound was a strange and confusing place. I had a lot to get used to.

  Cam let me through with a wink and a smile, and I hurried through the castle to Ward 2. There were fewer patients as some of the women had given birth and left, taking their tiny screaming new-borns with them. It was quiet apart from my quick footsteps sounding along the floor and the nurse fussing over an elderly gentleman with a morphine drip. She turned around at the sound of my footsteps.

  “You just missed him,” she said. I’d found out that her name was Susan over the course of the last few weeks and she had been a nurse in Area 6 before getting frustrated over the treatment of the Blemished and leaving. “Ali sorted out a tent for him.”

  “Are you sure?” I replied, my heart sinking with disappointment. “I wanted to be here when he was discharged.” I mentally cursed my dad and his stupid discipline.

  “No doubt about it. I took him the document to sign myself,” she said. “Find Ali, he was in charge of the relocation.”

  It all sounded so clinical. I hated the thought of Daniel going through all of that on his own. But there was no point dwelling on the outcome, I had to find Ali and see Daniel. With quick thanks to Susan, I retraced my steps and followed the gravel path down to Ali’s trailer.

  I’d been to Ali’s trailer twice before when helping him and Sebastian set up the market stall on the way to a training session. He didn’t live in the same steel contraptions that everyone else did, his trailer was wooden, on large wheels, with a rounded roof and steps leading to the doorway. In the daylight it was bright red with cream and green swirling patterns painted all over the wood; little birds and flowers twining together. The roof was covered with faded red tarpaulin. Ali told me that he’d found the old gypsy caravan abandoned on the outskirts of Dumfries. He fancied it for his home and tied it up to the Scavenger van to bring back. Knowing Reg’s driving it was a miracle it had made it back in one piece. I climbed the rickety wooden steps and knocked on the door.

  Ali opened the door up wide releasing the aroma of cumin and spice. My mouth watered. “What’s up, kid?”

  “Where’s Daniel?” I blurted out. “I mean… where did you find for him to stay?”

  “Jesus, dispense with the pleasantries why don’t ye? Not even a hello.”

  “Sorry.”

  He laughed. “I’d be offended if I didn’t know ye better. But I do and I know what yer like, kid.” Ali pointed through the darkness. “See that purple tent under the floodlight?”

  I squinted towards the large dome tent. It was spacious enough for at least five people, and I hoped that Daniel was able to make a home under there.

  “He’s in there for now. I’m gonna have te get out Scavenging for more trailers come winter.”

  “Thanks, Ali,” I said, turning on my heel and disappearing into the darkness.

  I hardly heard his goodbye, probably a sarcastic one considering my rudeness, but I just couldn’t stand there and chat when Daniel was out of hospital and alone. I walked so fast that I almost tripped on tent ropes and when I got there I realised that I had no idea what to do next. Did I just unzip the cover and barge in? There was nowhere to knock. Instead, I kicked a tent peg and hissed “Daniel” as loud as I could without disturbing the people around us. It wasn’t so late at night that people were asleep. Some were still sat around their fires, warming their hands and cooking food, but I didn’t want to attract too much attention.

  The cover unzipped and my heart skipped a beat as I caught a glimpse of ruffled blonde hair. “Mina? Is that you?”

  I didn’t get a chance to answer before a hand caught my leg and almost dragged me into the tent. I tumbled to my knees and into Daniel’s arms. It was like he had four hands, they were everywhere – my face, hair, and waist. Our mouths found each other, hungry and urgent and his body pressed against mine. There was no way I was going to let him go now. My hands reached up into his hair and he gasped as I took hold, pulling him into me. He responded by wrapping his arms around my body and squeezing me against him. I could barely breathe. I didn’t want to breathe ever again if it meant I would have to stop kissing him. This was everything I’d wanted and more. When we broke from each other I had to pant to catch my breath.

  “That was quite a hello,” I said, grinning.

  “I missed you.” He leaned back into his sleeping bag and pulled me down with him.

  Now that we’d broken apart I got a better look at his new living quarters, although it was difficult in the dim light of his torch. In our rush, I’d been pulled right through the tiny porch section where Daniel’s camping stove had been set up and into the back where Daniel’s clothes were folded on top of a tiny table and his sleeping bag was laid out on top of an air mattress.

  “Hey, it’s not so bad in here,” I remarked.

  “Ali helped me out. It’ll be great for the summer, but I’ll have to find something more permanent in winter. Ali told me that the population has grown so much this summer that they’re really short on trailers. They are planning a big Scavenger outing to recover some for winter.”

  “Doesn’t all that sound strange when the army live in a castle and never help out?” I said.

  “Yeah it does. Nurse Susan took me on a tour of the grounds once. There are loads of rooms and most soldiers had a room to themselves. If they doubled up people could live in here,” he said.

  I thought about this for a moment. As much as I wanted to believe that the Compound and the Clans were the safe haven I was hoping for it was becoming more and more apparent every day that it wasn’t. There were things that didn’t fit right, things that reminded me of the kind of corruption that went on in the Areas. I sighed. I didn’t want to have these thoughts right now, not on Daniel’s first night out of the hospital.

  “Let’s go for a walk,” I suggested. “I’ve been stuck in the barn all day and it stinks of mouldy straw. I need some fresh air.”

  “Sure,” Daniel replied, almost jumping to his feet. It was amazing to see him moving around without cringing at his injury. “I need to build my strength up. You sh
ould have seen me getting out of breath just putting the tent up!”

  I squeezed his hand. “I wish I’d been here to help.”

  He laughed. “I’m not an invalid, Mina.”

  There was something different about Daniel. It was as though someone had lifted a veil or polished him up to sparkle. He glowed. He was more talkative and less brooding. I liked it. I loved to see him happy.

  He looked at me with a goofy grin. “What are you thinking about? I’ve never seen you smile so wide.”

  “Oh, nothing.” I pulled at his hand. “Come on.”

  We stepped out of the tent and Daniel turned back to zip the front. There was nowhere to hide any belongings in the Compound you just had to hope that no one would steal your things. Hand in hand the two of us dodged tents and hopped over guide ropes, hoping that it would be easy enough to find the tent on the way back. We decided to walk along the gravel path towards the castle; I thought I could introduce Daniel to Cam if he was still on gate watch.

  It wasn’t a silent night; there was the sound of babies crying, some campfire singing and laughter. The breeze was crisp and when I shivered Daniel held me close. We sauntered at a casual pace, enjoying our bodies so close together. As we approached the castle, I noticed three dark figures around the gate. For some reason my instinct was to pull Daniel behind the tree closest to the castle so that we could see and hear them, but they couldn’t see us.

  “What are you––”

  “Shh!” I hissed.

  “There’s nothing to worry about,” a voice interrupted us both. I recognised it straight away, it was Dr Woods and with him were two teenagers about fifteen or sixteen, one boy and one girl. “This is a celebration. You’ve been looking forward to this for years. Haven’t you?”

  “Yes,” they both answered together.

  “Does it hurt?” the girl said.

  Dr Woods turned to the girl. He put his hand on her cheek in what seemed like a little too much familiarity. “No, Jane. It’s fine. If you use all of the equipment laid out in the room, it won’t hurt a bit. We’ve made it as comfortable as possible in there.”