15
The light that shone as the guard opened Scarlen’s cell door temporarily blinded her, and she covered her eyes with her arm, the weakness in her disallowing her arm to stay up for longer than a few seconds. She’d only just woken, the sound of the key in the lock stirring her, bringing her from sleep to a daze.
‘Time’s up,’ said the guard, no emotion in her voice. ‘Steady now.’
‘I’m not sure I can walk.’
‘You don’t have a choice. You either walk out of here or Binnow comes in with her baton, and I take it by now you know how much she loves to use hers.’
Scarlen knew Binnow was deranged, and not wanting her company, she wobbled forward, her muscles uncooperative. She looked towards Bear’s door, expecting him to be released but hoping he wouldn’t be at the same time, as she didn’t want him to see the state she was in.
‘He’s already gone.’ The guard nudged her forward, clearly wanting Scarlen to get moving.
‘What happens now?’
‘Miss Harnish is outside waiting for you. You’ll have a shower, then go to bed. It’s late, so keep the noise down, else you’ll be punished.’
Was that supposed to be some sort of joke? What noise could she possibly make except a crashing sound when her body hit the floor, as that was likely the way she was feeling.
A sympathetic smile was offered by Miss Harnish as soon as the other guard walked away. ‘How are you?’
It was a stupid question, and they both knew it, but all the same, Scarlen responded. ‘Everything hurts, and I might faint any moment.’
The guard lightly touched Scarlen’s forehead, and immediately, everything seemed a little clearer.
‘Thank you.’
‘I didn’t do anything.’
And Scarlen knew to be quiet. At least she wouldn’t pass out now, but her body still hurt, and she wasn’t sure the shower would be as helpful as bed.
As they entered the shower chamber, Miss Harnish pointed out a towel and green nightwear. ‘Your pyjamas for when you’re done. Then bed. I’ve assigned you to work only in the library tomorrow, so no walking for you.’
Scarlen struggled to free herself of the damp shift so gave up and walked into the shower clothed, slumping to the floor as soon as the warm water flowed. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the wall for a moment while the heat took its time entering her bones. A groan rumbled up through her chest, and she didn’t know if it was a complaint or happiness.
‘Come now, Smithson. Let’s get you out of that shift and washed properly.’ Harnish handed over some soap, and Scarlen remained seated while she stripped and washed the dark cell and the War Zone from her flesh, her hair, the core of her soul.
How she made it to bed, she would never know, and Dionne’s whisper went in one ear and out the other as exhaustion took control, sending her into a deep sleep, where she dreamed of waterfalls and pretty flowers.
Two weeks had passedwith no family time permitted for Scarlen and Bear, and Bear had hardly acknowledged her existence anyway, so it didn’t matter. Although she was curious why he was keeping his distance. The atmosphere had changed since the War Zone. Tension was high, and people were quieter. Dionne told her fear of the unscheduled War Zone had rattled everyone.
At least one person was happy. Elbar was due for release the following week, and Scarlen had never been so jealous of anyone before, but at the same time she was pleased for her friend, and she would miss her.
As Scarlen was talking to Dionne over dinner about how they could buy something from Temple as a parting gift for Elbar, Binnow entered, bringing her usual icy chill to the room.
‘Gallows,’ she announced, and silence fell at once as everyone started to make their way to the door.
‘What’s going on?’ Scarlen asked Dionne as they stood.
‘It’s someone’s twenty-third birthday.’
Scarlen widened her eyes in horror. ‘We’re going to watch someone hang?’
Dionne nodded, then told her to shush.
Light rain fell in the dark courtyard where the gallows was set up, but no one complained about the dampness, the cold. Amber was gathered to one side, Green to the other, making a circle around the platform, with only one narrow pathway between them.
The clang of a barred door opening echoed, followed by heavy footsteps and a sniffle.
