‘Push that fucker, Smithson.’ Oxley’s words motivated her to move forward another inch. ‘Don’t let it own you.’
She shifted Bear again, then pushed and pushed.
‘Heave,’ roared Oxley. ‘Heave.’
Shaking, sweating, every fibre of her being spent, she somehow moved the wheel all the way around to the sound of Oxley’s encouragement, her mother’s song, and the need to get Bear to the healer.
‘Done,’ said Kane, and as soon as he opened the gate, Oxley charged in to carry his friend to the healer while Scarlen’s knees buckled.
Sitting on the cold, damp ground, she simply stared at nothing as jobs had started and those assigned to the silent system started to enter the yard, each lightly touching hershoulder as they passed, their wordless praise giving her the strength to stand and continue with her day.
17
Binnow entered the canteen at dinnertime, and silence fell as a sea of eyes met the hessian sack she held.
No one dared object or ask why names were being pulled for the War Zone so soon, as last time had taught them the rules had changed.
Scarlen was glad Bear was still in the infirmary. Maybe that made him exempt. There was no telling.
‘Five from here,’ said Binnow, reaching into the sack.
Judd was the first name, then two women from Amber who weren’t part of any gang, then Oxley was called, and lastly, Scarlen Smithson.
Scarlen looked to Oxley.We’re being punished.
He turned to whisper something to Raven, then Binnow left, and Miss Harnish told everyone to get back to their dinner.
‘Shit! What is happening around here lately?’ Dionne leaned across the table. ‘You okay, Scarlen?’
‘I’m starting to think I’ll die in this place.’
‘Everyone thinks that. You have to stay strong. And whatever you do, make sure you get a dagger out there. Top priority, you hear me?’
Scarlen slightly bobbed her head, knowing she had to fight, be it her mind, the system, or Judd. She could already feel his eyes boring into her but daren’t acknowledge him. ‘At least I have two sweatshirts this time that are both mine.’
Dionne smiled at her small joke, concern brimming.
The rest of dinnertime was quiet, and hardly anyone looked at Scarlen, let alone spoke to her, and she had to wonder if they saw her as cursed. Maybe she was, or perhaps her father had a hand in her torture.
The War Zonesoon came around, and Scarlen found herself standing in line once more, scanning trees for any immediate signs of a dagger. The other inmates looked a lot tougher than last time, but the twins had taught her looks can be deceiving, so she wasn’t going to feel intimidated by height and muscle or Judd’s scowl she could see out of her periphery.
‘Shame you can’t all die,’ said Mr Jontson, keys jingling at the barred door.
Shame I can’t gut you like a fish.Scarlen got ready to run, mostly in the opposite direction to Judd, as he was the one she trusted the least, and she didn’t even know the others except Oxley. The five Ones glared at each other as though already at war, and the two women from Amber Block Two seemed to be friends, judging by the sly nod they gave each other when they thought no one was looking, but Scarlen noticed. She was taking it all in this time.
The horn blew, and everyone took off towards the trees, the stampede vibrating the hard ground.
Scarlen wasn’t going to keep running like before. This time she was searching high and low, brushing leaves and twigs, shifting damp clumps of earth, and upturning small boulders, desperately searching for a weapon, her only backup this time.
The glint of metal flashed for all but a moment in among a mound of earth that on further inspection was an ants’ nest. With a shiver and a silent shriek, she plunged her hand deep into the nest to grab the hilt and pull.
Trying to stay calm, she quickly wiped all ants from her arm, feeling itchy all over as they fell, then she fled the scene, the dagger clenched, ready for battle.
A sharp cry ripped through the air for a second, causing Scarlen to stop as she was about to climb a tree. She waited for more noise, but after some muffled shouting, all went quiet until the second horn blew.
The game had begun.
There wasn’t much to see at the top of the tree, just the high fence in the near distance and some large white birds perched close by. At first glance, she saw gulls, but then they ruffled their wings and red streaks were revealed before they spotted her and snarled their beaks.
